4.1.4

Postmodernist Perspective

Test yourself

Postmodernism and the Family

Postmodernists disagree with the premise that society is orderly and predictable.

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Postmodernists

  • Postmodernists disagree with the premise that society is orderly and predictable.
  • They view sociological theories as merely metanarratives, big stories that are no longer able to explain the diversity of personal relationships, so it is no longer possible to make generalised statements of theories about family life.
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Change to social order

  • They argue that contemporary society is rapidly changing and, therefore, full of uncertainties; people are rejecting notions of the traditional family as a mainstay of the social order.
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Individualism

  • Individualism (or self-interest), diversity and consumer choice are the main features of postmodern society, evidenced by:
    • The disintegration of the traditional family.
    • The growing diversity of households.
    • The personal relationships in which people choose to live.
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Decline of tradition

  • People no longer feel tied to traditional ideas and expectations, evidenced by factors like:
    • Rising divorce rates.
    • Cohabitation.
    • Multiple partners.
    • Stepfamilies.
    • Gay couples.
    • Births outside marriage.
  • These all show that the way people live their lives is more flexible now.

Jump to other topics

1Theory & Methods

2Education with Methods in Context

3Option 1: Culture & Identity

4Option 1: Families & Households

5Option 1: Health

6Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare

7Option 2: Beliefs in Society

8Option 2: Global Development

9Option 2: The Media

10Crime & Deviance

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