Sociology: Trends in Family and Household Structures

According to Weeks (1999), what might be a factor in the trend towards same-sex cohabitation?

Increased social acceptance

What proportion of one-person households are of pensionable age?

Half

What is the term used to describe couples who are in a romantic relationship but do not live together?

Living apart together

What percentage of all families are now made up of lone parent families?

24% Signup and view all the answers

What is a reason for the increase in women choosing to remain childless or have fewer children?

Women now having more options than just motherhood Signup and view all the answers

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

That they establish their analysis almost entirely on the traditional nuclear family unit, erasing non-conforming families and ignoring individual agency. Signup and view all the answers

What is the personal life perspective on postmodernism's idea of individual freedom in relationships?

That it is too simplistic, and while there is more freedom and diversity in contemporary times, individuals are still constrained. Signup and view all the answers

How does the personal life perspective approach the relationship between individual agency and social structure?

It takes a middling stance between structural and postmodern approaches, recognizing both individual agency and structural constraints. Signup and view all the answers

What is the limitation of traditional sociological theories, such as functionalism and Marxism, according to personal life theorists?

That they focus too much on the traditional nuclear family unit, ignoring families that do not conform. Signup and view all the answers

What does the personal life perspective suggest about the role of individualism in shaping personal relationships?

That it is not the only factor, and that social structures and constraints also play a role. Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the key changes in women's lives that have contributed to changes in family patterns?

Women are better educated, more financially independent, and more career-focused, making them less reliant on marriage for social and financial security. Signup and view all the answers

How has the decline of religious influence affected family patterns?

The decline of religious influence has made people feel less compelled to get married or have children, and child-bearing is no longer seen as a woman's primary purpose. Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the consequences of women's increased independence and education on family size?

Women are having no children, fewer children, or becoming parents later in life. Signup and view all the answers

How has the changing role of women in society affected their relationship with marriage?

Women no longer need to rely on marriage for social and financial security. Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the underlying factors driving changes in family patterns in modern times?

Secularisation, changing social norms, and increasing opportunities for women. Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the ways in which families in the West are increasingly diverse, according to the Rapoports (1982)?

Organisational, class, age, ethnic and cultural, sexual and gender, and life cycle diversity Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the factors that influence family life and its variations?

Class background, ages, generations, culturally specific dynamics, and the inclusion of LGBT+ families Signup and view all the answers

How do families differ from one another?

In structure and composition Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the aspects of family life that display diversity?

Family life, structure, and composition, as well as class background, age, and generations Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the diversity of families in the West?

It reflects the complexity and variety of family structures and forms in modern society Signup and view all the answers

What condition do functionalists place on accepting family diversity?

That the family carries out its designated functions Signup and view all the answers

According to the New Right, what type of family is best suited to socialise and raise children?

Conventional nuclear family Signup and view all the answers

What is a key criticism of research by sociologists of personal life?

Research only focuses on white and affluent families Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'sociology of personal life' perspective based on?

Interactionism Signup and view all the answers

According to personal life theorists, what is the definition of family?

Not restricted to nuclear families and/or traditional relationships Signup and view all the answers

What do functionalists and the New Right disagree on?

The ability of diverse families to socialise and raise children Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the 'sociology of personal life' perspective?

All relationships and connections in an individual's life Signup and view all the answers

How do sociologists of personal life approach the study of family?

By studying individual experiences and relationships Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between functionalists and personal life theorists in their understanding of family?

The scope of what constitutes family Signup and view all the answers