Family changes

Decline of the traditional nuclear family

A traditional family made up of two heterosexual couples and their dependant children

Was considered normal in 50s-60s

Evidence of decline-

  • Fewer nuclear families in the UK today

  • 1 in 3 households are traditional nuclear family’s

  • Rise in other types- Cohabiting- Single parents, reconstituted family

Explanations-

  1. Legal changes

  • Divorce reform act (1969)- Makes it easier to divorce without proving fault

  • Led to more single-parent and reconstituted families

  • Marriage is less permanent- Less nuclear family stability

  1. Changing gender roles

  • Feminism influenced attitudes: Women less likely to accept housewife roles

  • More women working- Financial independence- More likely to leave unhappy marriages

  • Dual earner households common

  1. Secularisation

  • Religion less influential on family and marriage

  • Less stigma around divorce, cohabitation and children outside of marriage

  • More people cohabit or have civil partnerships rather than traditional marriage

  1. Economic changes

  • Higher cost of living- People delay marriage and children

  • Housing shortages and financial pressure may lead to cohabitation or extended families

Parsons- Argues nuclear family fits industrial society- Now outdated

Chester- Nuclear family still exists, but in a modified form (neo-conventional)

Feminists- Criticise nuclear family as patriarchal and outdated

Rise in divorce

Divorce rates rose sharply after the divorce reform act (1969)

Around 42% marriages in the UK end in divorce

Reasons for rise in divorce-

  1. Legal changes

  • Divorce reform act (1969)- Allowed ‘no fault’ divorce

  • Easier, cheaper and faster= More accessible

  1. Changing social attitudes

  • Divorce is now less stigmatised

  • Society more accepting of divorce and remarriage

  • Secularisation- Religion less influential, fewer people feel pressured to stay married

  1. Women’s increased impendence

  • More women in paid employment

  • Better access to education and legal rights (Property)

  • Women less financially reliant on men- More freedom to leave unhappy marriages

  1. Rising expectations of marriage

  • Fletcher- People now expect more emotional fulfilment in marriage

  • When these high expectations aren’t met, divorce becomes likely

Sociological perspectives-

Functionalism- Fletcher: Divorce dosen’t mean people reject marriage- High expectations show they still value it- Society has moved from duty-based to love-based marriage

Feminism- Divorce gives women freedom from patriarchal oppression/ Rising divorce rates= Women are no longer trapped in traditional roles

Marxism- Divorce is a reflection of pressures caused by capitalism (Work stress, housing issues)- Capitalist society undermines family stability

Postmodernism- Diversity and choice means there’s no single ideal family type/ Divorce is part of the broader trend of family diversity

Consequences of rising divorce-

  • More single parent and reconstituted families

  • Impact on children (emotional stress)

  • Greater family diversity

  • More cohabitation and serial monogamy

Increase in family diversity

There are many different types of family, not just the traditional nuclear family

Types of family diversity (Rapport and Rapport)

  1. Organisational diversity- Differences in family roles (dual earner vs traditional)

  2. Cultural diversity- Different ethnic groups= Different family norms

  3. Class diversity- Working class and middle class families may have different parenting styles or structures

  4. Life-stage diversity- Family structures change across the life course

  5. Generational diversity- Attitudes to family, gender and roles vary by age

Sociological perspectives-

Postmodernism- Society is more individualised- People choose relationships that suit them

Stacey- Women have more freedom to shape families (divorce extended)

Giddens- Rise of ‘pure relationships’ based on love, not obligation

Feminism- Rise in lone-parent families and cohabitation reflects female empowerment/ traditional nuclear family is patriarchal- Many women now reject it

New right- Blames family diversity (especially lone-parent families) for moral decline and social problems (crime)/ Argues nuclear family is best for socialisation

Functionalism- Sees the nuclear family as most functional/ Diversity is seen as a threat to social stability

Secularisation

Secularisation is the process where religion loses influence over individuals and society

How secularisation has changed families

  1. Decline in marriage

  • Religious pressure to marry has weakened

  • More couples cohabit or have children outside of marriage

  • Less stigma around non traditional relationships

  1. Increase in divorce

  • Marriage seen as a personal choice, not a religious obligation

  • Less religious opposition to divorce- More likely to leave unhappy marriages

  1. Acceptance of family diversity

  • Same-sex relationships, cohabitation and single parent families are more accepted

  • Traditional religious beliefs about gender roles and family structures are less influential

  1. Contraception and family planning

  • Religious teachings often oppose contraception

  • As influence weakens, people use contraception freely, leading to smaller families or childfree couples

  1. Changing gender roles

  • Religious norms often promoted patriarchal roles

  • Secular society- More equality in relationships, women can delay marriage or choose independence

Sociological views-

  • Functionalism- Concerned that secularisation weakens the moral framework provided by religion/ fear it may cause family instability or decline in shared norms and values

  • New right- Argue that secularisation has undermined marriage and the nuclear family/ Blame it for rising divorce, lone parent households and social breakdowns

  • Feminism and postmodernism- Welcome secularisation/ gives freedom from patriarchal religious traditions

Demographics

  1. Declining Birth rate-

Causes-

  • Improved contraception

  • Women prioritise education and careers

  • High cost of raising children

  • Access to family planning and abortion

Effects on families

  • Smaller families

  • Childcare couples more common

  • More dual-earner families

  • Less pressure on women to be full time mothers

  1. Increasing life expectancy-

Causes-

  • Better healthcare

  • Improved diet and sanitation

  • Reduced smoking and manual labour jobs

Effects on families-

  • Rise of beanpole families- Long and thin: More generations alive, but fewer siblings

  • More elderly dependants

  • Extended family support is more important

  • May increase burden on middle aged carers

  1. Ageing population

  • UK population is ageing, more people over 65 than under 16

Effects-

  • Increased dependency ratio

  • More grandparents involved in childcare

  • Pressure on healthcare and pensions

  • Policy debates around retirement and care homes

  1. Migration

Immigration-

  • Brings cultural diversity- Different family types

  • Migrants may have higher birth rates- Younger populations in some communities

Emigration-

  • Uk families may be more dispersed (members moving abroad)

  • Affects contact and care across generations

Sociological perspectives-

Functionalism-

  • Concerned with depenancy ratio and pressure on welfare services due to ageing

  • Family adapts to meet new trends (caring roles)

Feminism-

  • Ageing and caring often put unpaid burdens on women

  • Declining fertility gives women more freedom and control

Postmodernism-

  • Demographic change increases individual choice and diversity

  • Family’s are now more flexible and suited to personal needs