Changes in the extended family in the UK

What is an extended family?

3 generations of a family

Why do some extended families live together?

Financial

Support network

Strong family values

In which ethnic group has extended families remained high?

Asian

What does Parsons say?

The extended family was mostly replaced by the nuclear family in the industrial revolution

The ‘family unit’ became less important

What are the 4 types of extended family?

Classic

Asian

Modern

Dispersed

What is a dispersed extended family?

Contact maintained by technology and routine visits

Chamberlain: found ‘multiple’ nuclear families amongst Caribbean families, where siblings, aunties and uncles all had a dedicated role in childrearing

Beanpole family

Made up of 3 generations but don’t have a lot of branches (children)

Less content with Aunties and Uncles

Mason and Finch

90% of people have given or received financial help to/from a family member

Approx. 50% had provided care to a sick relative