The Family and Social Change
The Family and Social Change
Characteristics of Pre-industrial Families
- Extended families were common, and multiple generations lived together.
- Homes were also places of economic production, where families engaged in farming or craftwork.
- Marriages were often arranged for economic or social reasons rather than love.
- High infant mortality rates led to lack of emotional attachment to children.
Changes during the Industrial Revolution
- The industrial revolution led to a shift to nuclear families due to urbanisation and mobility required for factory work.
- The family home transformed from a place of production to a place of consumption.
- Childhood became a distinct phase of life with the advent of compulsory education, better healthcare and laws against child labour.
Contemporary Family Structures
- There has been a rise in diversity of family structures, including single-parent families, reconstituted or blended families, and cohabitating couples.
- There's an increase in childless couples and individuals living alone, both by choice or due to factors like divorce or death of a partner.
- Creation of 'Beanpole' families, which are long and thin with few aunts, uncles and cousins, but many living generations due to increased life expectancy.
Role of Social Policies in Family Changes
- Government policies like welfare benefits, laws regarding marriage and divorce, and family planning have significantly impacted family structures and roles.
- Equal opportunities legislation has narrowed the gender gap in work and education, influencing family dynamics and gender roles.
Impact of Social Change on Family Roles and Relationships
- The shift of women into the workforce and the removal of gender barriers have led to changes in family roles and relationships.
- There's debate around the concept of 'symmetrical family', where both genders share roles equally in childcare and housework.
- There's a rise in 'negotiated families' where roles and rules are openly discussed and agreed upon.
Theories of Family and Social Change
- Functionalist theories consider the family as an institution that fulfils vital functions for society, and changes in family are seen as an adjustment to societal needs.
- Feminist theories focus on the gender inequalities within families, and have highlighted the impact of women's liberation movement on family structures.
- The New Right perspective believes in the traditional nuclear family and blames social policies for encouraging 'non-traditional' family types.
- Postmodernist theories emphasise the diversity and fluidity of contemporary family structures and relationships.