changing patterns of family life: diversity of family structure

Question 1

Structural theorists

Answer 1

typical family structure exists and it is the nuclear family

Question 2

Statistics about family diversity

Answer 2

• married couples remain the most common family type in 2019, represent 2/3 of family types
• 2.9 million lone parent families in 2019, which is 14.9% of families in the uk

Question 3

Robert chester

Answer 3

• extent of families in exagerated

- more people live in a family that is structured into a couple with children

Question 4

Brannen et al

Answer 4

Beanpole is becoming the norm, people are living longer and parents are becoming increasingly involved in the lives of their adult children

• growth of beanpole is due to to smaller families with less children

Question 5

Theoretical approaches to diversity

Answer 5

focus on the nuclear family as the ideal form of family. There are now policies to reinforce the traditional family structure such as giving tax break to married couples

feminists welcome changing diversity. Divorce provides women with greater control of their lives

postmodern- individuals construct their families through their interactions with other, making family more diverse as it includes friends, colleagues and even pets as part of the family unit