Diversity And Social Change: New Right And Postmodernist Perspectives On Family Diversity. (Copy)
1. New Right Perspective on Family Diversity
Core Beliefs
| Idea | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Traditional nuclear family is ideal | Married heterosexual couple with children |
| Diversity is harmful | Lone-parent, cohabiting, same-sex families weaken society |
| Family breakdown causes social problems | Crime, poor education, welfare dependency |
| Moral decline | Falling marriage rates = loss of values |
Key Thinker: Charles Murray
| Argument | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Underclass caused by lone-parent families | Especially mother-headed households |
| Welfare dependency | Benefits discourage work + marriage |
| Decline of father role | Boys lack discipline; girls lack role models |
Why New Right Opposes Diversity
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Lone-parent families → poverty risk | One income only |
| Lack of male role model | Leads to behaviour issues |
| Cohabitation unstable | Higher risk of separation |
| Same-sex families rejected | Seen as “non-traditional” |
Solutions Proposed by New Right
| Solution | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Promote marriage | Tax incentives for married couples |
| Reduce welfare | Encourage financial responsibility |
| Reinforce traditional gender roles | Male breadwinner + female homemaker |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Sociology Full Scale Course
2. Criticisms of New Right
| Criticism | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Blames victims | Lone parents often result from unavoidable circumstances |
| Outdated gender roles | Ignores working women, dual-earner families |
| Ignores diversity success | Many lone-parent/same-sex families stable & successful |
| Exaggerates decline of marriage | Many cohabiting couples long-term |
| Biased toward traditional values | Not evidence-based |
3. Postmodernist Perspective on Family Diversity
Core Beliefs
| Idea | Explanation |
|---|---|
| No single dominant family type | Many legitimate forms |
| Choice & freedom define modern family life | Individuals “design” families |
| Identity is fluid | Families based on lifestyle, not tradition |
| Diversity is positive | Increases personal fulfilment |
Why Diversity Exists (Postmodernists)
| Cause | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Globalisation | Mix of cultures + norms |
| Individualism (Giddens) | “Pure relationships” chosen by partners |
| Negotiated family (Beck) | Roles discussed, not imposed |
| Secularisation | Less pressure to follow religious models |
| Technology | IVF, surrogacy → new family forms |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Sociology Full Scale Course
4. Key Postmodernist Ideas
Judith Stacey
| Idea | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “Diverse family forms benefit women.” | Escape patriarchy via new relationships |
| “No dominant family form.” | Every family arrangement valid |
Giddens (Choice & Confluent Love)
| Idea | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Pure relationships | Based on intimacy, not obligation |
| Confluent love | Emotional satisfaction → flexible families |
| Same-sex families as pioneers | More equality + negotiation |
Beck (Risk Society & Negotiated Family)
| Idea | Explanation |
|---|---|
| People avoid traditional roles | Too risky + restrictive |
| Negotiated family | Roles decided through discussion |
| Greater instability | More freedom → more breakups |
5. Consequences of Diversity (Postmodernists)
| Consequence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| More family forms | Cohabiting, blended, single-person, same-sex |
| Greater equality | Traditional roles challenged |
| More instability | Relationships based on choice may end easily |
| New identities | Hybrid identities from globalisation |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Sociology Full Scale Course
6. Comparison: New Right vs Postmodernists
| Issue | New Right | Postmodernists |
|---|---|---|
| Diversity | Bad for society | Normal + positive |
| Ideal family | Traditional nuclear | No ideal family |
| Role of women | Homemaker | Choice + equality |
| Cohabitation | Unstable | Valid & equal to marriage |
| State policy | Should support marriage | Should support choice |
| View of society | Needs stability | Needs freedom |