What does Judith Stacey emphasize about women's capacity in shaping family life?

What does Judith Stacey emphasize about women's capacity in shaping family life?

• A. Women have less freedom due to patriarchal structures.
• B. Women must adhere to traditional family roles.
• C. Women have more freedom to shape their family arrangements and free themselves from patriarchal oppression.
• D. Men exclusively shape modern family arrangements.

Answer: (C)

Stacey emphasizes women's agency and flexibility in shaping family life. She argues that in late modern society women have greater freedom to craft their own arrangements and to challenge or move beyond patriarchal control. Rather than being bound to traditional roles, women can pursue diverse family forms—such as single-parent, blended, or non-traditional partnerships—and use these options to redefine what family means. This focus on empowerment and strategic action explains why the best answer is the one that notes women’s increased freedom to shape their family life and free themselves from patriarchal oppression.