the extended family today

• The existence of the e_______ f______ among minority ethnic groups raises the question of how w______ or i____ this kind of family is in the UK today.

• According to functionalists such as P____, the extended family is the d____ family type in p___-i____ society, but in m____ i_____ society it is replaced by the n_____ family.

• For example, as C___' (2008) study of S____ found, the classic t____-g____ family all living together under one r___ is now "all but e____"

• The only significant exceptions she found were what?

• The existence of the extended family among minority ethnic groups raises the question of how widespread or important this kind of family is in the UK today.

• According to functionalists such as Parsons, the extended family is the dominant family type in pre-industrial society, but in modern industrial society it is replaced by the nuclear family.

• For example, as Charles' (2008) study of Swansea found, the classic three-generation family all living together under one roof is now "all but extinct"

• The only significant exceptions she found were among the city's Bangladeshi community

• However, while the extended family may have declined, it has not entirely d_____

• Instead, as P____ W____ (19__) argues, it continues to exist how ?

• Similarly, M____ C_____ (1999) study of C____ families in Britain found that, despite being g____ d_____, they continue to provide support.

• She describes them as 'm____ n____ f____' with c____ and frequent contact between siblings, uncles, aunts and cousins, who often make a big contribution to childrearing

• However, while the extended family may have declined, it has not entirely disappeared

• Instead, as Peter Willmott (1988) argues, it continues to exist as a 'dispersed extended family', where relatives are geographically separated but maintain frequent contact through visits and phone calls

• Similarly, Mary Chamberlain's (1999) study of Caribbean families in Britain found that, despite being geographically dispersed, they continue to provide support.

• She describes them as 'multiple nuclear families' with close and frequent contact between siblings, uncles, aunts and cousins, who often make a big contribution to childrearing

• As C____ suggests, why does the extended family survive?

For example, C____ B___ (19___) research in Swansea found that which 2 groups of people had e___ bonds with k____ and r____ on them for s____:

• Among the middle class, there was more financial where?

• Working-class families had more f_____ c____ (they lived closer) and there was more d_____ h____ from mothers to daughters

• As Chamberlain suggests, the extended family survives because it performs important functions for its members.

For example, Colin Bell's (1968) research in Swansea found that both working-class and middle-class families had emotional bonds with kin and relied on them for support:

• Among the middle class, there was more financial help from father to son

• Working-class families had more frequent contact (they lived closer) and there was more domestic help from mothers to daughters

The 'beanpole' family

• B_____ findings suggest the importance of the so-called 'beanpole' family.

• what is The beanpole family? and how does J____ B_____ (2003) describes it as?

• It is e____ v____ (up and down) through three or more g____: g____, p____ and c____

• But it is not e____ h____ (s____): it doesn't involve a____, u____, c____ etc.

• For example, C____ found the same high level of contact between m_____ and a____ d____ that B____ had found in the 1960s.

• However, in the case of brothers and sisters, there had been a sharp decline in both what?

• This suggests a 'beanpole' structure.

The 'beanpole' family

• Bell's findings suggest the importance of the so-called 'beanpole' family.

• The beanpole family is a particular type of extended family, which Julia Brannen (2003) describes as "long and thin':

• It is extended vertically (up and down) through three or more generations: grandparents, parents and children

• But it is not extended horizontally (sideways): it doesn't involve aunts, uncles, cousins etc.

• For example, Charles found the same high level of contact between mothers and adult daughters that Bell had found in the 1960s.

• However, in the case of brothers and sisters, there had been a sharp decline in both support and contact.

• This suggests a 'beanpole' structure.

The 'beanpole' family

Beanpole families may partly be the result of two demographic changes- what are these changes? 

The 'beanpole' family

Beanpole families may partly be the result of two demographic changes:

1. Increased life expectancy means more surviving grandparents and great-grandparents.

2. Smaller family sizes mean people have fewer siblings and thus fewer horizontal ties.

Obligations to relatives

• Yet despite the rise of the beanpole family, many people still feel a sense of o____ to help their w____ e____ k___.

• For example, F____ and M_____ (1993) found that over ___% of people had given or received f____ h____, and about h____ had cared for a s___ r____.

Obligations to relatives

• Yet despite the rise of the beanpole family, many people still feel a sense of obligation to help their wider extended kin.

• For example, Finch and Mason (1993) found that over 90% of people had given or received financial help, and about half had cared for a sick relative.

Obligations to relatives

• However, there is some variability in what can be e____ of different relatives.

• For example, F____ and M____ found that more is expected of f____ than m___. Similarly, C____ (2002) argues that, when it comes to help with household tasks:

'A s____ set of rules exists for deciding who has the g____ o_____ to assist. Help should be given: first, by a s____, second, by a d____; third, by a d______-in-l____; fourth, by a s____; fifth, by other r____; and sixth, by n____-r____.'

Obligations to relatives

• However, there is some variability in what can be expected of different relatives.

• For example, Finch and Mason found that more is expected of females than males. Similarly, Cheal (2002) argues that, when it comes to help with household tasks:

'A systematic set of rules exists for deciding who has the greatest obligation to assist. Help should be given: first, by a spouse, second, by a daughter; third, by a daughter-in-law; fourth, by a son; fifth, by other relatives; and sixth, by non-relatives.'

Obligations to relatives

• Cheal notes that where p_____ c____ for an e____ w___ is needed, a d____ or d____-in-l___ is preferred if the husband is not available.

• Sons are rarely chosen as what? On the other hand, daughters are rarely chosen as what?

• But while daughters are more likely than sons to take responsibility for the care of e______ r_____, not all the daughters in a family necessarily play an e____ part.

• As M____ (2011) found, much depends on the h____ of the r___, the particular o____ women feel towards their relatives, and what other r____ they have that would give them 'l____ e____' not to be involved

• Similarly, F_____ and M____ found that the principle of reciprocity or balance is also important - explain this

Obligations to relatives

• Cheal notes that where personal care for an elderly woman is needed, a daughter or daughter-in-law is preferred if the husband is not available.

• Sons are rarely chosen as caregivers for an elderly woman. On the other hand, daughters are rarely chosen as appropriate people to provide money. 

• But while daughters are more likely than sons to take responsibility for the care of elderly relatives, not all the daughters in a family necessarily play an equal part.

• As Mason (2011) found, much depends on the history of the relationship, the particular obligations women feel towards their relatives, and what other responsibilities they have that would give them 'legitimate excuses' not to be involved

• Similarly, Finch and Mason found that the principle of reciprocity or balance is also important - people felt that help received should be returned to avoid any feelings of indebtedness.

• Overall, evidence suggests that the extended family continues to play an important role for many people today, providing both practical and emotional support when called upon.

• However, this is very different from Parsons' classic extended family, whose members lived and worked together, and who were bound by strong mutual obligations.

• Nevertheless, some sense of obligation does remain, at least to some kin and as a last resort in times of crisis.

• Overall, evidence suggests that the extended family continues to play an important role for many people today, providing both p___ and e_____ s___ when called upon.

• However, this is very different from P____' classic extended family, whose members l____ and w____ together, and who were bound by strong m____ obligations.

• Nevertheless, some sense of obligation does remain, at least to some kin and as a l____ r___ in times of c____.