The Rapoports on Family Diversity
In the 1980s, sociologists Rhona and Robert Rapoport challenged the idea that there was one 'normal' family type in the UK. They argued that families were becoming increasingly diverse, moving away from the traditional nuclear family model. Their groundbreaking research identified five distinct types of family diversity that help us understand the variety of family forms in modern society.
Key Definitions:
- Family diversity: The variety of family types and structures that exist in society.
- Nuclear family: A family unit consisting of two parents and their children.
- The Rapoports: Rhona and Robert Rapoport, sociologists who conducted influential research on family diversity in the 1980s.
Why Family Diversity Matters
Understanding family diversity helps sociologists recognise that there is no single 'normal' or 'best' family type. The Rapoports' work was revolutionary because it challenged the idea that the nuclear family was the only legitimate family form. Their research has helped reduce stigma around different family structures and influenced social policy.
The Five Types of Family Diversity
The Rapoports identified five key types of family diversity that exist in modern society. Each type reflects different social, cultural, economic and personal factors that shape family life.
👪 1. Organisational Diversity
This refers to differences in how family roles are organised, particularly regarding the division of labour, power and responsibilities within the household.
Examples:
- Symmetrical families where roles are shared equally
- Traditional families with clear gender roles
- Single-parent families where one person takes on multiple roles
🌎 2. Cultural Diversity
This refers to differences in family structures, values and practices based on cultural, religious, or ethnic backgrounds.
Examples:
- Extended families in South Asian communities
- Different marriage customs and ceremonies
- Varying attitudes towards gender roles and child-rearing
💰 3. Class Diversity
This refers to how social class affects family life, including resources, opportunities and lifestyle choices.
Examples:
- Working-class families may have different financial pressures
- Middle-class families might prioritise education differently
- Upper-class families may have different inheritance practices
📅 4. Life Course Diversity
This recognises that families change over time as they go through different life stages.
Examples:
- Young couples without children
- Families with dependent children
- Empty nesters after children leave home
- Reconstituted families after divorce and remarriage
🏠 5. Household Diversity
This refers to differences in who lives together and how living arrangements are organised.
Examples:
- Single-person households
- Same-sex couples with or without children
- Multi-generational households
- Shared housing among non-related adults
Social Changes Driving Family Diversity
The Rapoports identified several key social changes that have contributed to increasing family diversity in the UK:
👩💼 Women's Employment
More women entering the workforce has changed traditional family roles and created more symmetrical families.
🚀 Changing Values
More liberal attitudes towards relationships, sexuality and family life have led to greater acceptance of diverse family forms.
📜 Legal Changes
Changes in divorce laws, same-sex marriage legislation and other legal reforms have enabled new family structures to emerge.
Case Studies of Family Diversity
Case Study: Organisational Diversity
The Williams family consists of Sarah and Mark, who both work full-time. They share childcare, cooking and household chores equally. This represents a symmetrical family structure where traditional gender roles are rejected in favour of a more equal division of labour. This type of family has become more common as women's participation in the workforce has increased.
Case Study: Cultural Diversity
The Patel family lives in Birmingham and includes three generations under one roof: grandparents, parents and children. This extended family structure reflects cultural traditions from their South Asian heritage, where multiple generations often live together and share resources. This differs from the typical British nuclear family model but is common in many cultures around the world.
Evaluating the Rapoports' Theory
While the Rapoports' work has been influential, it's important to critically evaluate their theory:
👍 Strengths
- Recognises the complex reality of family life rather than assuming one 'normal' type
- Helps explain social changes and their impact on families
- Reduces stigma for non-traditional families
- Provides a framework for understanding different family experiences
👎 Limitations
- Some argue it understates the continued dominance of nuclear families
- The five categories sometimes overlap, making them difficult to separate
- Some critics suggest it doesn't fully address power imbalances within families
- The theory was developed in the 1980s and may not fully capture more recent changes
The Significance of the Rapoports' Work
The Rapoports' research on family diversity has had several important impacts:
- Social Policy: Their work has influenced how governments develop policies to support different family types.
- Challenging Stereotypes: Their research helped challenge the idea that non-traditional families are 'deviant' or 'dysfunctional'.
- Sociological Understanding: They provided a framework that helps sociologists analyse and understand family structures.
- Educational Impact: Their work is now a standard part of sociology education, helping students understand social change.
Applying the Rapoports' Theory Today
The Rapoports' theory remains relevant for understanding contemporary family life. Since their research in the 1980s, family diversity has continued to increase with:
- More same-sex couples raising children following legal recognition of same-sex marriage
- Increasing numbers of people choosing to live alone or remain child-free
- Growing acceptance of cohabitation without marriage
- Rising numbers of reconstituted families following divorce and remarriage
- Technological changes enabling new family forms, such as families created through IVF or surrogacy
Quick Revision Points
Remember these key points about the Rapoports' theory:
- The five types are: organisational, cultural, class, life course and household diversity
- Their work challenged the idea of the nuclear family as the only 'normal' family type
- Family diversity has increased due to social changes including women's employment, changing values and legal reforms
- Understanding family diversity helps reduce stigma and develop appropriate social policies
- The theory helps explain how families adapt to changing social conditions