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Family

Family. The majority of us have lived our lives within some kind of family set up, though our experiences may have been very different. Sociologists are concerned with why we have families in the first place. Those who take a positive view of family life argues that it offers:-

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Family

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  1. Family • The majority of us have lived our lives within some kind of family set up, though our experiences may have been very different. Sociologists are concerned with why we have families in the first place. • Those who take a positive view of family life argues that it offers:- • a haven in a heartless world • a warm bath to sink into • benefits to children and parents • the most basic unit in society • a sense of belonging in an impersonal world

  2. Family • ….and those who take a negative view argue that the family:- • is a source of tension and conflict • exploits women and children • is too inward looking • is a violent institution

  3. Family Nuclear Family This consists of mother, father and dependent children, usually 2 generations living together (mum, dad and the kids!). This includes adopted children Sometimes this is referred to as the ‘cereal packet family’ and is often seen as the norm across the world. However there is much debate in the UK about the decline of this unit in the last 30 years and the growth in popularity of other family and household forms.

  4. Family Extended Family 3 or more generations of the same family living together Or close by with frequent contact A modified version includes living away but having frequent contact via phone, email etc

  5. Family Single Parent Family A family headed by 1 parent (90% are female headed) As a result of divorce, separation, death of partner, choice, unplanned birth

  6. Family Reconstituted Family Families made up of a result of divorce, separation and death of partners Where at least 1 partner has children from a previous relationship

  7. Family • Beanpole Family • A nuclear family with 1 or 2 children keeping regular contact with grandparents • A kind of slimmed down extended family network where vertical links are kept but horizontal ones (cousins etc) aren’t.

  8. Family Singleton A household where a person lives alone. 3/10 households are singletons

  9. Family Same Sex Family As it says on the tin – relationships between same sex partners Civil Partnerships now allow same sex couples to have the same rights as married heterosexuals.

  10. Family Cohabitees Couples who live together as ‘man and wife’ (or same sex) but are not officially married (or civil partnered) .

  11. Family LATs Living Apart Together – Couples who have a ‘significant’ relationship but live apart. .

  12. Family The Life Cycle Remember that as we go through our lives we may go through many different family forms and consequently the view of family life at any one time is simply a snap shot of that moment. Outline a possible family life course for Freddie over the next 90 years.

  13. Perspectives On The Family • Jorgensen et al identify3 main perspectives • 1. Traditional • The Functionalist perspective and New Right approaches tend to see the 'cereal packet', nuclear family image as the most desirable form of family life i.e. parents and kids living in blissful harmony. Consequently, single parents are often seen as a 'brokenfamily’

  14. Perspectives On The Family • Jorgensen et al identify3 main perspectives • 2. Liberal • - this approach takes a pluralist perspective and assumes that there are a wide variety of family forms. Diversity is promoted as desirable - it would be a bit boring if we all lived in identical units!

  15. Perspectives On The Family • Jorgensen et al identify3 main perspectives • 3. Antifamily • this perspective argues that the emphasis on 'family' ostracises large numbers of people who don't live in a conventional family….and often do not want to. • Many people live alone and feel stigmatised as a result. • Radical feminists and Marxists support this view and argue that the family unit exploits women.

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