Economic Changes Affecting Modern Family Structure

Question 1

List the economic changes that affect modern family structure.
(3)

Answer 1

High cost of living

The economy

State benefits

Question 2

Write a note on how the high cost of living affects modern family.

Answer 2

An increase in the cost of living has left Ireland in the top ten most expensive countries in the world to reside, therefore many families must budget carefully to meet needs, e.g. rent, food and childcare

After these needs have been ,et, there is often little money left for families, especially if on a low income

Question 3

Where does Ireland rank in the list of the most expensive countries to live in the world?

Answer 3

Ireland is in the top ten

Question 4

How do families combat the extremely expensive cost of living in Ireland?

Answer 4

Families must budget carefully

Question 5

Why do families in Ireland need to budget carefully?

Answer 5

To ensure needs are met such as rent, food and childcare

Question 6

How much income is usually left over after people have met their needs?

Answer 6

There is usually little money left

Question 7

What effects does the high cost of living have on modern family structure?
(3)

Answer 7

The number of dual-income families has increased, as both parents need to work to earn sufficient income to meet needs

Families are having fewer children due to the high cost of children

Stress and worry surrounding finances within the family are increased - which may lead to marital breakdown

Question 8

Why has the number of dual-income families increased?

Answer 8

As both parents need to work to earn sufficient income to meet needs

Question 9

Why are families having fewer children?

Answer 9

Due to the high cost of children

Question 10

What has the stress and worry surrounding finances within the family caused?

Answer 10

It has lead to marital breakdown

Question 11

Write a note on how the economy effects family structure.

4

Answer 11

When the Irish economy was in recession, unemployment rates increased to a high of 15% in 2012 which put huge financial strain on families

In recent times the Irish economy had begun to recover and unemployment rates had begun to steadily drop

This had allowed many unemployed people to re-enter the workplace and move away from social welfare payments

Coronavirus has caused Ireland to begin falling back into recession again

Question 12

What percentage of people were unemployed during the recession?

Answer 12

15%

Question 13

What affect does unemployment have on the family?

Answer 13

This puts a huge financial strain on families

Question 14

During what year was unemployment rates at 15%?

Answer 14

2012

Question 15

During recent years, unemployment rates have decreased, what effect has this had?

Answer 15

This had allowed many unemployed people to re-enter the workplace and move away from social welfare payments

Question 16

What effect has coronavirus had on the economy?

Answer 16

It has caused the economy to fall begin falling back into recession

Question 17

What effects has the economy had on modern family structure?
(2)

Answer 17

There is an increase in dual-income families due to greater access to employment

There is a reduced number of families reliant on social welfare payments, e.g. Jobseeker’s Benefit, to meet basic needs

Question 18

Why is there an increase in dual-income families when the economy is doing well?

Answer 18

Due to greater access to employment

Question 19

Write a note on how state benefits effect the structure of the modern family structure.
(2)

Answer 19

The state provides social welfare payments, e.g. Jobseeker’s Allowance or Supplementary Welfare Allowance, to unemployed families struggling to pay for basic needs

One-parent families can obtain the One-Parent Family Payment

Question 20

Give two examples of social welfare payments provided by the government to unemployed families.

Answer 20

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Supplementary Welfare

Question 21

What effects do state benefits have on the modern family structure?
(2)

Answer 21

Enables one-parent or unemployed families to provide for their children’s basic needs

Reduces stress and worry surrounding finances among one-parent families and unemployed families, enhancing stability

Question 22

What do state benefits enable one-parents families to do?

Answer 22

To provide for their children’s basic needs

Question 23

State benefits help reduce stress and worry surrounding finances for who?
(2)

Answer 23

One-parent families

Unemployed families