What does the 'individualisation' thesis assert?

What does the 'individualisation' thesis assert?

• A. A return to traditional family structures
• B. A postmodern idea that traditional social structures have lost importance and individuals have more freedom
• C. A belief that the state controls family life
• D. A theory that emphasizes the economic basis of family life

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is that modern life pushes us toward individualisation, where traditional social structures lose their grip and people gain more personal freedom to shape their own life paths. The individualisation thesis, often linked with late modernity, argues that families and social roles are no longer dictated by rigid norms of duty or lineage. Instead, relationships, marriage, and family life become more about personal choice, love, and self-fulfillment. This is why the statement describes it as a postmodern idea: traditional structures hold less authority, and individuals navigate their lives with greater freedom, leading to a wider variety of family arrangements and patterns.

Think of how relationships and family life can now be formed and dissolved more fluidly—cohabitation, serial partnerships, redefining parenthood, or choosing to stay single—reflecting personal preferences over established scripts. While economic pressures and state policies still matter, the emphasis of the thesis is on increased personal agency rather than a return to tradition, stronger state control, or purely economic determinants.