QUIZ ANSWERS
1 What is the postmodernist perspective on family diversity?
- Postmodernists highlight the multiplicity of family structures beyond the traditional nuclear family, including single-parent families, same-sex families, and blended families.
2 How do postmodernists view family roles?
- They see family roles as fluid and negotiable, with less fixed and more personalized dynamics.
3 What is the significance of individual choice in the postmodernist perspective on families?
- Postmodernists emphasize individual agency and personal choice in forming and maintaining family relationships, often leading to more flexible and fulfilling dynamics.
4 How does globalization impact family life according to postmodernists?
- Global interconnectedness and media exposure contribute to the dissemination of diverse family practices and values.
5 What is Jean Baudrillard’s contribution to the postmodernist view of families?
- Baudrillard’s ideas on hyperreality suggest that media representations shape and sometimes distort our understanding of family roles and relationships.
6 What is Judith Stacey’s stance on family diversity?
- Stacey argues that varied family forms are reflective of broader social changes and can thrive by embracing diversity and change.
7 How do postmodernists critique traditional family norms?
- They reject the idea of a single, uniform family structure and highlight the diversity and fluidity of family forms.
8 What is the concept of “pure relationships” as discussed by Anthony Giddens?
- Pure relationships are based on personal satisfaction and emotional fulfilment rather than social obligations or economic necessity.
9 What role do media representations play in the postmodernist view of family life?
- Media representations shape and influence our perceptions of family roles and relationships.
10 How does the postmodernist perspective differ from the functionalist view of families?
- Functionalists emphasize stability and order provided by traditional family structures, while postmodernists highlight diversity and fluidity.
11 What is the main criticism of the postmodernist perspective’s relativism?
- Critics argue that it can lead to relativism, where all family forms are seen as equally valid without critical evaluation.
12 How do postmodernists address economic and power dynamics within families?
- Postmodernists focus more on cultural and individual factors, sometimes overlooking economic and power dynamics.
13 What is Lyotard’s concept of “language games” in the context of families?
- Language games refer to the various ways in which family members negotiate meanings, roles, and relationships.
14 How does Lyotard’s rejection of metanarratives apply to families?
- It means there is no single, universal model of family; instead, families are diverse and shaped by individual experiences.
15 What is the impact of globalization on family diversity according to postmodernists?
- Globalization promotes the spread and acceptance of diverse family forms and practices.
16 What are some limitations of the postmodernist perspective on families?
- Limitations include relativism, neglect of economic and power dynamics, limited empirical evidence, and overemphasis on media influence.
17 How do postmodernists view the traditional nuclear family?
- They challenge the dominance of the nuclear family and celebrate the diversity of family structures.
18 What is the significance of Jean Baudrillard’s theory of hyperreality for family life?
- It highlights how media can create and distort perceptions of family roles and relationships.
19 How do postmodernists respond to the New Right perspective on families?
- Postmodernists reject the New Right’s emphasis on the nuclear family and advocate for the recognition of diverse family forms.
20 What is the main focus of postmodernists when analyzing family life?
- The main focus is on the diversity, fluidity, and individuality of family forms, reflecting broader social changes and the breakdown of traditional norms.