Family trends since 1900s

Question 1

Parsons (1950s) cottage families

Answer 1

families depend on each other for survival.
families were “cottage families” - work and home were the same.
People’s roles in society were ascribed from birth
schools act as education, hospitals act as care now, compared to family doing that back then.
relationships are a choice not a obligation now
families now move to places for work instead of working from home in farms etc.
Parsons is very simplistic in his views, he says that families has shifted from extended to nuclear families, however in some families extended networks remain very important.

Question 2

Julia Tannen (2003) beanpole

Answer 2

The “beanpole” family:
living prices is increasing in modern society.
grandparents provide help their children with their children
allows free time for the parents while grandparents look after their child(s).
changing family structures linked to wider population changes:
Demography:
births - changing trends of childbearing
deaths - death rate changes
immigration - people entering uk
emigration - people leaving uk

Question 3

Sue Sharpe (1976)

Answer 3

interviewed girls in 1970s about their hopes and ambitions for adult life.
the girls prioritised love, husbands and children.
education/ career were considered undesirable. as they make them appear unattractive for boys.
in 1990s she repeated the study, there was a massive change, girls priorities changed to education/career.

Question 4

Sarah Harper (2012) education fall in birth rates

Answer 4

Education is the most important factor in explaining the long-term fall in birth rates.
> Girls have a better, longer education now than in the past, they value and focus more on careers and independence.
> They use contraception more readily, and marriage no longer takes immediate priority.

1. Contraception is a lot more available.
2. Decline in the infant mortality rate (babies dying before 1st birthday). Parents have fewer babies as they are now more likely to survive longer

Question 5

Impact on families and society from the fall in birth rates

Answer 5

women have fewer children and smaller family sizes.

Question 6

Falling death rates: key points

Answer 6

> Life expectancy rising in the UK in 1900,
People generally died in their 50s
Today, life expectancy for women is 81
For men, it is 76
Britain has an ageing population

Question 7

Advances in Healthcare:
Tranter (1996)