Family DiversityFamily DiversityThe ideology of the nuclear familyThe ideology of the nuclear family

Functionalists in particular are responsible for holding up Functionalists in particular are responsible for holding up the ideal 1950s image of the nuclear family as best. the ideal 1950s image of the nuclear family as best.

Today this image of the family is still supported by Today this image of the family is still supported by advertising and Edmund Leach’s advertising and Edmund Leach’s Cereal packet family Cereal packet family

(1967) can still be identified today. (1967) can still be identified today.

Diana Gittins (1993) argued that this idealised picture of the Diana Gittins (1993) argued that this idealised picture of the nuclear family acts as a powerful ideology, defining what is nuclear family acts as a powerful ideology, defining what is

normal and desirable and labelling other family types as normal and desirable and labelling other family types as abnormal abnormal

Changing family structureChanging family structure

The extent of family diversity should not be The extent of family diversity should not be exaggerated. Most people as children or exaggerated. Most people as children or adults, will live part of their lives in a adults, will live part of their lives in a nuclear familynuclear family

Although the nuclear family is held up as Although the nuclear family is held up as the ideal, an increasing number of families the ideal, an increasing number of families in Britain are structured differently. in Britain are structured differently.

Group taskGroup task In small groups, you will produce a handout for the rest In small groups, you will produce a handout for the rest

of the class highlighting one type of family diversity. of the class highlighting one type of family diversity. Your handout should contain the following informationYour handout should contain the following information

- What is the definition of your family type?What is the definition of your family type?- What is happening to your family type in contemporary What is happening to your family type in contemporary

society?society?- What possible reasons are there for these trends? What possible reasons are there for these trends? - What are the consequences of these changes on society What are the consequences of these changes on society

and individuals? (Positive and negative)and individuals? (Positive and negative)

YOUR HANDOUT SHOULD SHOW SOURCES OF YOUR HANDOUT SHOULD SHOW SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND SUPPORTING STUDIES.INFORMATION AND SUPPORTING STUDIES.

FAMILY TYPESFAMILY TYPES

Lone parent familiesLone parent families

Extended familiesExtended families

Reconstituted familiesReconstituted families

Gay and Lesbian familiesGay and Lesbian families

Culturally diverse families (class/ethnicity)Culturally diverse families (class/ethnicity)

Postmodernism and diversityPostmodernism and diversity

Giddens –Giddens – In late modern society people In late modern society people have greater freedom to construct living have greater freedom to construct living arrangements of their choice.arrangements of their choice.

Relationships are based on greater Relationships are based on greater intimacy and as such people have higher intimacy and as such people have higher expectations on relationships.expectations on relationships.

Judith Stacey-Judith Stacey- Family diversity is a Family diversity is a reflection of post-modern society.reflection of post-modern society.

There is no one family form to which There is no one family form to which everyone aspires. There are no generally everyone aspires. There are no generally agreed norms and values to direct family agreed norms and values to direct family life.life.

Stacey believes greater family diversity will Stacey believes greater family diversity will lead to greater equality in relationships.lead to greater equality in relationships.