Changes in Family Structure in Contemporary Britain

Changes in Family Structure in Contemporary BritainDescribe the changes in the family structure since the nineteenth century with reference to appropriate research and the apparent declivity of the extended family. Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of families in contemporary Britain.In order to answer this question it is necessary to address the assumptions regarding the structure of the family pre and post industrialisation, focus upon the research of historians and social scientists such as Laslett, Anderson, Young and Willmott.Sociologist Talcott Parsons (1902-1979) put forth the view that prior to industrialisation families were extended and lived a rural life with antiauthoritarian gender relations. After industrialisation, society consisted of nuclear families who lived urbanised lives with women pecuniaryly depended upon men. He describes post-industrial family units as isolated as they are not part of a wider dodging of houseship relationships (Haralambos at al, 1995, pg335). He states that the decline of the extended family was due to industrialisation, as the requirements of skilled labour demanded geographical mobility (Abercrombie et al, 1995).Parsons theorizing has since been proven incorrect. The historian Peter Laslett actually put up that between 1564 and 1821, only 10 per centum of households contained members beyond their immediate family. He states that when couples married it was only a matter of a few years in the first place both their parents died, which implies that there simply not enough members of a family to create an extended unit. He claims There is no sign of the large, extended co-residential family group large way to the small, nuclear, conjugal, household of modern industrial society (Haralambos at al, 1995, pg338).Michael Andersons research also discredits the assumption of the develop of modern nuclear families during industrialisation and the end of the extended family. Anderson conducted an 1851 census of Preston and found that 23 percent of households contained kin other than the nuclear family (Haralambos at al, 1995, pg339). He stated that the families worked as a support meshing with Grandparents looking after siblings whilst both parents worked. It also meant support during periods of ill health or unemployment and it produced a lower share of rent paid. It was what Haralmbos et al describe as a mutual aid organisation (1995, pg339).In the 1950s, Young and Willmotts study of Bethnal Green found that two out of iii couples lived in spite of appearance three miles of their parents. They also discovered that close ties existed between female members of the family such as mother and daughter, with a constant exchange of services such as washing, shop and babysitting, between female relatives (Haralambos at al, 1995, pg341). Young and Willmott described many an(prenominal) families as a combination of families who to some degree form one domestic unit (Quoted in Haralambos at al , 1995, pg341).During Willmott and Youngs surveys and historical research, they produced three stages of the family based on their findings. The first stage is Pre-industrial, where the family acted as a unit of production with everyone running(a) together, in agriculture for example. This unit is similar to that of Parsons pre-industrial family, however it does not appear to be extended. This family structure is still seen in modern society, such as within rural farming areas. The second stage is the Early-industrial family which was extended, and acted as a support network similar to the families studied by Anderson. This is also inclusive of Willmott and Youngs Bethnal Green families in the 1950s. The third stage is the Symmetrical Family, which is nuclear, home centred, with a shared responsibility concerning housework Willmott went on to carry out research in 1980s London. He found a nuclear family, which is reliant upon kin for support but is still an independent family unit. This greatly contradicts Parsons view of an isolated nuclear family for modern society (Abercrombie et al, 1995, pg304).Robert and Rhona Rapoport however, state their research illustrates how the family structure is still evolving. Twenty percent of families in 1978 were married parents with one main breadwinner. The number of single-parent households has increased from 2.5 percent in 1961 to 10.1 percent in 1992 (Haralambos at al, 1995, pg348). Many factors could contribute to the cause of such a radical change in family structure. Legislation is one factor, as since the 1960s it is easier to get a divorce, have an abortion, homosexuality is legal and the contraceptive pill is widely available. Women are much more financially independent, which means financial security is not the only reason for marriage. The fact that people are leaving it later to get married and cohabiting for longer periods suggests a higher chance of marriage. Burgoyne and Clark found examples of couples in this situation in their study of Sheffield. They state that these individuals often view themselves as pioneers of an alternative lifestyle (Quoted in Haralambos at al, 1995, pg347). Returning to the swot up of single parenthood, the General Household Survey in 1990 found that their was not only a rise in single mothers who had divorced, but a rise from 16 percent to 34 percent of mothers who had never married (Haralambos at al, 1995, pg348). There are numerous arguments as to why this is the case, Haralmbos et al suggest many by Politicians such as John Selwyn Gummer, Peter Lilley and John Redwood who all stated a concern regarding the welfare state and the possibility of it promote single parent families (1995, pg349).To conclude, changes in family structure since the nineteenth century have been subtle. The assumptions that prior to the Industrial Revolution families were large and lived together as one democratic unit has been discredited. Even though it is safe to say that m odern society consists of mainly nuclear families and single parent families, these units depend on their extended kin network for support, which live in close proximity.BibliographyAbercrombie, N. and Alan Warde et al. 1995. Contemporary British Society A New Introduction to Sociology. Second Edition. Cambridge Polity Press.Haralambos, M. and Martin Holborn et al, 1995. Sociology Themes and Perspectives. Third Edition. London collins Educational.McRae, S. 1999. Changing Britain Families and Households. Oxford Oxford University Press.