Family Diversity

Question 1

Changes in Family Structure- Laslett & Anderson (19th century/ 1850s)

Answer 1

• Laslett said that the nuclear family was the most common family type before industrialisation.
  –> he found his evidence from Parish records of the time
• Together, Lanslett & Anderson discovered that there was an increase in the extended family type during the industrial revolution
  –> Anderson found his evidence from the census in 1851 that showed that when people moved into cities for industrial jobs, they lived with relatives from their extended families

Question 2

Changes in Family Structure: Wilmott & Young (1950s- 1970s)

Answer 2

They conducted studies on family structure, centred on families in Essex & London, they found that the family had developed through 4 stages:
1.) Pre- Industrial: The family worker together as an economic production unit. Work & home were combined

2.) Early- Industrial: Nuclear families are broken up, as men had to leave home to work. Women had strong kinship in the home.

3.) Privatised Nuclear: Nuclear family was focused on its own lifestyle and personal relationships. “symmetrical family” as the husband and wife has joint roles

4.) Asymmetrical: Husband and wife roles become asymmetrical as men spend more leisure time away from the home (eg. Gym, Pub)

Question 3

Social Trends

Answer 3

Two of the biggest increases in household type are single person and lone parent households
- single person households increased by 500,000 from 2003- 2013.
–> this could be related to the number of people getting divorced, and the rise of people over 65 living alone

The fastest growing household type is multi- family households.
- These households have increased by 56% between 2004- 2014
–> this trend is partly linked to the rise of beanpole families, where grandparents might live with their grown up child and their grandchildren

Question 4

Marriage Rates

Answer 4

Marriage rates have fallen since the early 20th century (2009 the lowest number of marriages took place in England and Wales)
- There has been an increase in co-habiting couples
- People are getting married later in life

Question 5

Divorce/ Separation rates

Answer 5

There has been a steady rise in divorce rates
- Serial Monogamy (having serious sexual relationships one after another) is increasing
- Divorce is more easily accessible
- Women have higher marriage expectations and better employment opportunities, they don’t rely on marriage