Extended and beanpole families, obligations

EF - Charles (2008) - 3 generation family

• 3 generation family under 1 roof is all but extinct

  • Exception: Bangladeshi community in Swansea

• Still functions even if not co-located

EF - Willmott (1988)

• Extended families exist as a ‘dispersed’ extended family where relatives are geographically separated but maintain frequent contact through visits and phone calls

EF - Chamberlain (1999)

• Despite geographical dispersion, Caribbean extended families in Britain continue to provide support

• They survive because they perfom important functions for their members

• ‘Multiple nuclear families’

  • Close and frequent contact between sblings/uncles/cousins

    • Make a big contribution to childrearing

EF - Bell (1968)

• Both W/C and M/C families form emotional bonds with kin and rely on them for support

• W/C

  • Have more frequent contact with kin due to living closer, domestic help and mother-daughter connections

• M/C

  • Financial help, often father-son connections

Reasons for increase in importance of beanpole family

• Longer life expectancy

  • Surviving (great) grandparents

• Smaller family sizes

  • Fewer siblings and horizontal ties

BF - Brannen (2003)

• Beanpole families are long and thin

  • 3+ generations

  • Don’t involve aunts/uncles/cousins

BF - Charles (2008)

• Same level of high mother-daughter contact in 2008 as Bell found in 1968

  • Decrease in support of brothers and sisters

    • Beanpole family!

Obligations - Finch and Mason (1993)

• More than 90% of people have given or recieved financial help

• ½ of people have cared for a sick relative

• This is more expected of women than men

• Principal of reciprocity/balance important

  • Avoids feelings of indebtedness

Obligations - Cheal (2002)

• Order of obligation

1. Spouse

2. Daughter

3. Daughter-in-law

4. Son

5. Other relatives

6. Non-relatives

• Daughters rarely chosen as appropriate to provide money, also preferred for elderly women over husband/son

Obligations - Mason (2011)

• Depend on history of relationship

• Women feel particular obligations towards relatives

• Some may have other responsibilities (‘legitimate excuses’) such as work/childcare