Changing Patterns of Family Life - Diversity of Family Structures

Is there a typical family structure?

• Structural theories suggest that a typical family structure exists and that this structure is closely linked to the nuclear family- opposite-sex partnership with biological children

• Other theorists have suggested that there has been a growth in family diversity in recent years and that we can no longer say there is a typical family type

How many families were there in 2019?

There were 19.2 million families, a 6.8% increase over the decade from 2009 to 2019

What was the most common type of couples in 2019?

Married or Civil Partners; two-thirds of coupled families

How many lone parent families were there in 2019?

2.9 million; 14.9% of families in the UK

Where in the UK had the highest proportion of family diversity?

London (19.1%)

Where in the UK has the lowest proportion of family diversity?

South West of England (10.9%)

What did Robert Chester (1985) say?

• According to Chester, the extent of diversity has been exaggerated in contemporary society

• More people live in a family that is structured into a couple with children- although the organisation of relationships may vary

• Chester also suggested that throughout the life course, most people will inevitably end up in a couple with children- e.g. lone parents come from a couple, may meet a new partner and form a second couple

What did the Rapoports say in 1982?

Diversity has always existed- families vary on several grounds

• Organisational diversity

• Cultural diversity

• Life-cycle diversity

• Social class diversity

• Cohort or Generational diversity

What did Brannen et al say in 2000?

• The Beanpole family is becoming the most dominant form of family

• People are living longer and parents are increasingly involved in their adult children’s lives- including providing economic and practical support

• Smaller families mean that fewer siblings to rely upon for support and, with geographical mobility, they may not be accessible- leaving the family tree looking long and thin rather than pyramid-shaped

What are the theoretical approaches to diversity?

• New Right have shown a preference for traditional values and this has been demonstrated in state policy

• Feminists support the greater diversity of family types- divorce provides women with greater choice and control over lives

• Postmodern and personal life perspectives both explain that families are social constructs of the individual’s choosing and therefore diverse

What are the conclusions on the diversity of family structures?

• ONS data would support Chester’s view that the most common family structure fits into the traditional family structure of parents and children

• Greater diversity over recent years- the rise of lone person and lone parent households cannot be discounted -proves greater choice over personal lives

• The life cycle approach suggests we will be part of a range of different families over our lifetime- possible that there is a typical family type for each stage of our lives