Sociology of Personal Life: Critique of Functionalism and Marxism

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Questions and Answers

What was the percentage increase in opposite-sex couple divorces in 2019 compared to 2018?

18.4%

What percentage of divorces occur among opposite-sex couples?

98.9%

What is attributed to the slight decrease in opposite-sex couple divorces in 2020?

COVID-19

How do feminists generally view marriage?

As patriarchal and built on women's exploitation Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of divorce for feminists, according to the text?

A means of liberation Signup and view all the answers

What is the main critique of functionalism and Marxism by personal life theorists?

That they focus primarily on the traditional nuclear family unit, ignoring individual agency and erasing non-conforming families. Signup and view all the answers

What is the personal life perspective on the postmodern idea of relationship choices?

That it is too simplistic and overlooks the remaining constraints on individual freedom. Signup and view all the answers

How does the personal life perspective position itself in relation to structural and postmodern approaches?

It takes a middling stance between the two. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main limitation of functionalism and Marxism, according to personal life theorists?

Their analysis is overly focused on the traditional nuclear family unit. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the personal life perspective in understanding contemporary family and relationships?

It recognizes the increasing diversity of family forms and emphasizes individual agency and experience. Signup and view all the answers

What is the view of feminists regarding divorce?

Divorce can be a means of escape and liberation from patriarchal marriage. Signup and view all the answers

According to postmodernists, why has divorce become more common?

Due to increasing individualism and people pursuing their own happiness. Signup and view all the answers

What do sociologists of personal life believe is a factor in the increasing viability of divorce?

People having other sources of love and happiness in their lives, such as friendships. Signup and view all the answers

What is the view of some functionalists regarding the changing patterns of divorce?

The family no longer carries out the function it once did in society, making it easier for people to leave marriages. Signup and view all the answers

What do members of the New Right believe is the cause of rising divorce rates?

The decline of the nuclear family, a culture of welfare dependency, and the single-parent 'underclass'. Signup and view all the answers

What are the average ages of marriage for men and women according to the text?

The average ages of marriage are 37.5 years for men and 29.4 years for women. Signup and view all the answers

What is the view of postmodernist theorists and sociology of personal life theorists on the declining rates of marriage?

They view the declining rates of marriage favourably, believing that marriage and romantic, monogamous relationships are not everything and that people have other aspirations in life. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of marriage and the nuclear family for functionalists and New Right thinkers?

They view marriage and the nuclear family as essential building blocks of society. Signup and view all the answers

What is the common view of traditional, heterosexual marriage among feminists?

They view traditional, heterosexual marriage as oppressive for women. Signup and view all the answers

What do the changing trends in marriage imply for functionalists and New Right thinkers?

They imply social and moral decline. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference in the view of lone-parent households between the New Right and feminist perspectives?

The New Right views lone-parent households as insufficient due to the lack of a 'male influence', while feminists argue that they can be preferable as they provide women with more freedom and happiness. Signup and view all the answers

How do functionalist theorists view the nuclear family structure?

They believe it best fulfils the functions of the family. Signup and view all the answers

What is the stance of postmodernist ideology on lone-parent families?

They believe that lone-parent families can be just as suitable and legitimate as other family types. Signup and view all the answers

How do personal life theorists approach the study of lone-parent families?

They focus on the experiences and relationships of lone parents. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key criticism of the nuclear family structure by feminists?

They argue that it can restrict women's freedom and happiness. Signup and view all the answers

What is the commonality between the postmodernist and personal life perspectives on lone-parent families?

Both perspectives view lone-parent families as legitimate and suitable. Signup and view all the answers

What social group is most likely to consist of lone-parent families in the UK?

Working-class backgrounds Signup and view all the answers

What is the common trend among lone parents in terms of entering partnerships again?

They often enter partnerships again because the nuclear family is still idealized. Signup and view all the answers

What is the stance of the New Right towards lone-parent families?

They are against lone-parent families. Signup and view all the answers

What welfare policies exist in the UK to support lone-parent families?

Several welfare policies are in place to alleviate some of the worst effects of lone parenthood. Signup and view all the answers

What is the demographic characteristic of most lone-parent families in the UK?

They are white. Signup and view all the answers

What is the trend in child-bearing rates in the UK according to the ONS?

Child-bearing rates in the UK have been falling, with live births in England and Wales decreasing for five years in a row and the total fertility rate reaching a record low of 1.58 children per woman in 2020. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 1.58 children per woman fertility rate in 2020?

It is the lowest since 1938. Signup and view all the answers

What is the cause of the changing patterns in child-bearing rates in the UK?

The cause is not explicitly stated in the text, but it is implied to be related to changes in priorities and lifestyles concerning the family. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relevance of the year 2002 to the trend in child-bearing rates in the UK?

The number of live births in 2020 was the lowest since 2002. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the declining rates of marriage and later-in-life marriages for feminist theorists?

Feminists view these phenomena favourably, as they believe traditional, heterosexual marriage is oppressive for women. Signup and view all the answers

How does the trend in child-bearing rates in the UK reflect broader changes in society?

The trend reflects a fundamental change in priorities and lifestyles concerning the family. Signup and view all the answers

How do postmodernist theorists and sociologists of personal life view the importance of marriage and romantic, monogamous relationships?

They view these phenomena as not being everything, and believe people have other aspirations in life. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of marriage and the nuclear family in the view of functionalists and New Right thinkers?

They view marriage and the nuclear family as essential building blocks of society. Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of changing trends in marriage for functionalists and New Right thinkers?

They believe that changing trends in marriage are causing social and moral decline. Signup and view all the answers

What is the average age of marriage for men and women according to the text?

3.570.11 years for men and 29.4 years for women. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the increase in opposite-sex couple divorces in 2019 compared to 2018, and how does it relate to the overall trend?

The 18.4% increase in opposite-sex couple divorces in 2019 compared to 2018 is significant because it suggests a rising trend in divorce rates. However, this trend was slightly reversed in 2020, attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Signup and view all the answers

How do the divorce rates of opposite-sex and same-sex couples differ, and what does this suggest about the changing patterns of divorce?

The divorce rates of opposite-sex couples are significantly higher than those of same-sex couples, with 98.9% of divorces occurring among opposite-sex couples. However, same-sex couple divorce rates are increasing rapidly, with a nearly 40% increase in 2020 compared to 2019. Signup and view all the answers

What does the increasing trend in same-sex couple divorce rates suggest about the changing nature of marriage and relationships?

The increasing trend in same-sex couple divorce rates suggests that marriage and relationships are becoming more diverse and less traditional, with same-sex couples experiencing similar challenges and breakdowns as opposite-sex couples. Signup and view all the answers

How do feminist views on marriage and divorce relate to the changing patterns of divorce?

Feminists view marriage as patriarchal and exploitative, and therefore see divorce as a means of liberation and empowerment for women. The increasing trend in divorce rates may reflect this shift towards greater equality and independence in relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What does the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on divorce rates in 2020 suggest about the relationship between external factors and changing patterns of divorce?

The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on divorce rates in 2020, resulting in a slight decrease in opposite-sex couple divorces, suggests that external factors can influence and interrupt the normal trends and patterns of divorce. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of the New Right regarding lone mother households?

The lack of a 'male influence' Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between the functionalist and feminist perspectives on the family?

The valuation of the nuclear family structure Signup and view all the answers

How do postmodernists view the legitimacy of lone-parent families?

As just as suitable and legitimate as other family types Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of personal life theorists in their study of lone-parent families?

The experiences and relationships of lone parents Signup and view all the answers

What is the common thread among the feminist, postmodernist, and personal life perspectives on lone-parent families?

A rejection of the traditional nuclear family structure as the only legitimate family form Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sociological Perspectives on Lone Parenthood

Functionalists believe lone-parent households should be supported, but still consider the nuclear family structure as best fulfilling family functions.
The New Right views lone mother households as insufficient due to the lack of a "male influence".
Feminists argue that lone-parent families can be preferable if they grant women more freedom and happiness.
Postmodernists believe lone-parent families can be just as suitable and legitimate as other family types.
Personal life theorists focus on experiences and relationships of lone parents.

Changing Patterns of Divorce

According to the ONS, there was an 18.4% increase in opposite-sex couple divorces in 2019 compared to 2018, with a slight decrease in 2020 due to COVID-19.
98.9% of divorces occur among opposite-sex couples, with same-sex couple divorce rates increasing rapidly.
Feminists see divorce as a means of escape and liberation from patriarchal marriages.
Postmodernists argue that divorce is common due to increasing individualism and people pursuing happiness.
Personal life theorists assert that divorce is more viable with alternative sources of love and happiness.

Changing Patterns of Marriage

Feminists view traditional, heterosexual marriage as oppressive and favorably view declining rates of marriage and later-in-life marriages.
Postmodernists and sociology of personal life theorists view these phenomena positively, believing marriage and romantic relationships are not everything.
Functionalists and New Right thinkers view marriage and the nuclear family as essential, arguing that changing trends in marriage cause social and moral decline.

Child-Bearing Rates and Lone Parenthood

Child-bearing rates in the UK have been falling, with live births in England and Wales decreasing for five consecutive years.
The total fertility rate reached a record low of 1.58 children per woman in 2020.
Lone-parent families are generally from working-class backgrounds, with the highest percentage found in the UK's Black communities.
Welfare policies in the UK aim to alleviate some of the worst effects of lone parenthood.

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Description

Explore the sociology of personal life perspective and its critique of functionalism and Marxism. Learn how personal life theorists argue that these approaches erase non-traditional families and examine the middling stance of personal life theory between structural and postmodern approaches.