nuclear family remains the dominant family form

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

many sociologists have argued that the nuclear family is the dominant family form in modern, industrialized societies as a result of industrialization. Because of industrialization, it has replaced the extended families during pre-industrial societies. Thus, this essay will explain and asses whether the nuclear family remains a dominant family form

Question 2

(1) Talcott Parsons

Answer 2

Parsons claims that the modern nuclear family fits the needs of the modern industrial society. Parsons approach to the family is called March of Progress thesis. He suggested that there us a close link between the economic system and the kinship system. As societies become more modernized, urbanized and industrialized, the extended kinship networks in pre-industrial societies will break up and be replaced by isolated nuclear families.

Question 3

fletcher

Answer 3

he claimed that the structurally isolated nuclear family has become the main family form in contemporary British society.

Question 4

george peter murdock

Answer 4

murdock examined the wide range of families. Murdock took a sample of 250 societies, ranging from small hunting and gathering bands to large scale industrial societies. He found out that the nuclear family is present in all of the 250 societies he studies.
thus, making nuclear family as a dominant family form

Question 5

reasons why nuclear family is increasing

Answer 5

1) the need for geographical mobility
2) social mobility weaken kin links
3) the growth of meritocracy
4) the reduced family functions

Question 6

(1) the increase in single person household

Answer 6

• in 2017, there were 3.9 million people living alone aged 16 to 64 years; a larger proportion were male (58.8%)
  similarly. there were 3.8 million people living alone aged 65 years and over but a larger proportion (66.5%) were female.
• single parent families have become increasingly common in Britain as well ; according to the government statistics, in 1961, 2% of the population lived in households containing a lone parent with dependence of children, but by 2005, this had increase sixfold to 12%

Question 7

(2) Matrifocal families

Answer 7

• research in the Carribean, parts of central america and the USA has found taht a significant proportion fo black families do not contain an adult male.
• these female headed appear to be an exception that Murdock’s belief that the nuclear family is universal.
• Gonzales (1970) ; found out that matrifocal families are a well organised social group which is well adapted to living in poverty.
• by not tying herself to a husband, the mother can have casual relationships with a number of men and has strong links with her relatives who gives her economic and emotional support. which can help her cope with raising children on her own.

Question 8

(3) Gay and Lesbian Families

Answer 8

• same sex couples are becoming more and more common
• In 2004, the Civil Partnership act gave gay and lesbian couples in Britain the same legal rights as married couples.
• a 2013 study by the Office for National Statistics revealed that there has been a steady increase in the number of same sex parents in the UK from 4,000 in 2010 to 12,000 in 2013.
• this increase has probably been aided by the fact that gay adoption is legal in the UK since 2002
• It was also only recently that gay marriage was made legal in the UK in 2014.