Family structures in the UK FAMILY & PARENTING Family structures in the UK

In this unit you will learn… The difference between the different family patterns. Roles, responsibilities and values of the family. Why there are changing patterns in parenting and family life. The reasons why children may be in local authority care. Changing roles within the family in a diverse society.

Lesson outcomes You will understand at least five different family structures in the UK. You will know about all the family structures within the UK. You will be able to describe factors that influence changes in the family structure.

Key words Step family- a form of step family where both partners have children from previous relationships. Nuclear family- two adult parents and their children. One-parent family- a family consisting of one lone parent and at least one dependent child. Cohabit- live together Extended family- a family that includes parents, children and other relatives. Socialisation- The process of teaching (and learning) the attitudes, values and expectations of society. Stigma- a characteristic, behaviour or label that discredits or damages a person’s reputaion. Life events- major events in a person’s life that affect their development and wellbeing.

The difference between the different family patterns. What does the word ‘family’ mean to you? A family is a group of people who live together or who are related by blood ties, marriage or adoption. A family usually consists of one or more parents and at least one child. Family is seen as the basic building blocks of society because it performs a number of important functions.

Can you name the different family structures? One parent family Nuclear family Family structure Same-sex family Foster family Step family Extended family Adopted family

What do these terms mean? Nuclear Family Two heterosexual parents and dependent child(ren)

Nuclear family plus additional relatives living together. Extended family

Single parent and dependent child. One-parent family

Two parents with dependent children from previous relationships and/or their own child(ren) Step family

Two gay or lesbian parents and dependent child(ren) Same-sex family

Any form of family with one or more adopted children Adoptive family

Any form of family with one or more fostered children Foster family

socialisation Teaching children about how to behave in society is a key part of the family’s role. Children need to learn appropriate attitudes and values and how to behave in different situations. Parents have a lot of responsibility for bringing up children ‘properly’. Some newspapers and television news stories blame some families for the negative and anti-social behaviour of their children. Parent’s need to be role models, guiding and supporting children’s development. It’s important ot note that a child’s upbringing will affect their own approach to parenting if they go on to have children themselves.

ACTIVITY Imagine that you have a child. You (and your partner) are now responsible for bringing up the child. What kind of things do you need to teach your child before they go to school? Compare your list with those of another classmate and share ideas about your priorities. Make a list of the things a child needs to learn about: Behaviour Relationships Communication manners

Reasons for family diversity The family structure has changed over time within the UK. Families are now much more diverse than 100, 50 even 25 years ago. Family diversity is the result of a number of social changes that have affected wider UK society. A growth in the multicultural population has seen different ethnic communities introducing their own traditions and forms of family life. People with South Asian and East African heritage for example tend to live in extended families. This often involves three living within the same household.

Attitudes to marriage and divorce have changed since the late 1960s Attitudes to marriage and divorce have changed since the late 1960s. Changes in the divorce laws since the late 60s have made divorce much easier. This has had an impact on family structures as people have ended marriages and begun new relationships that may involve cohabiting or remarriage.

Attitudes towards sexuality have changed and have enabled same-sex couples to adopt, foster and conceive their own child.

Changes to the availability of contraception and sexual health education have given people the knowledge and ability to control when they have children and how many they have.

Lifestyle changes have allowed couples to marry and have children at an older age and share childcare and domestic responsibilities differently to their parents.

Changing patterns of work and geographical mobility and since the 1980s and 1990s have led to more people moving away from where they grew up to find work. There are also more women in the workforce. The need and demand for childcare services has grown as a result of this.

Changes in reproductive technology have enabled couples with fertility problems, same-sex couples and single people to have children where they haven’t been able to conceive naturally.

Changes in the social welfare system have provided more support for families and have targeted support for low income and lone parent families. This has enabled more nuclear and one-parent families to live independently of other relatives.

Activity HOMEWORK TASK Using what you have learnt about the reasons for family diversity, and any additional ideas you might have about this, produce a poster or leaflet that summarises the reasons why there is now a range of different types of family in the UK.

Changing roles and responsibilities in the family. The traditional image of the family is based on the ‘sexual division of labour’. This involved the man going out to work to earn money and the woman stayed at home as a mother and housewife. In contemporary UK, this is now less common. Although the woman is more likely to take on the childcare and domestic responsibilities, the male partner is also more likely to be involved in looking after the home and taking a share of the responsibilities. Women now want to and are also expected to go out and work so they can contribute economically and fathers are more likely to want greater involvement and better relationships with their children.