Giddens: choice and equality

Giddens: choice and equality

1. Giddens argues that in recent decades family and marriage have been transformed by greater choice and more equality between men and women

   • Transformation has occurred because
     • Contraception has allowed sex and intimacy rather than reproduction to became the main reason for relationships' existence
     • Women have gained independence as a result of feminism and greater opportunities in education and work

2. Basis of marriage defined by couple, rather than act out oles that have been defined in advance by law or tradition

   • e.g. couples can cohabit now
   • Giddens describes this as a 'pure relationship'
     • Solely exists to meet partners' needs, continues for as long as it does so
     • Couples stay together because of love, sex etc not tradition, sake of children or sense of duty

3. Giddens recognises that with more choice comes less stability in relationships