extended family

Definition

Three or more generations living together in one household

Popular in the past within we families

More dominant now with East Asian families

Practical and emotional support

Chamberlain

• study of Caribbean families in Britain found that while they are still geographically dispersed

• ‘Mulitiple nuclear families’

• Keep frequent contact between siblings, cousins, aunts and uncle

Class differences

• Bell

• Wc - domestic help when frequently contacting

• Mc - financial help when frequently contacting

Beanpole family

• Vertically - 3 + generations

• But does not extended horizontally - no aunts, uncles, cousins

• High contact between mother and daughter

• Low contact between sisters and brothers

• Smaller family size

• Increased life expectancy

Finch and Mason

• 90% of people received financial support or looked after sick relative

• More is expected of women than men

• How much care depends on the history of the relationship - ‘legitimate excuses’

• Principle of reciprocity or balance - help should be returned