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Unlock This CourseFamilies in the UK and around the world have undergone massive changes in the last few decades. The traditional nuclear family is no longer the only accepted family form and many different family structures now exist side by side in modern society.
Key Definitions:
The traditional nuclear family has declined in the UK. In 1971, 52% of households were nuclear families, but by 2019, this had fallen to just 28%. Meanwhile, lone-parent families have increased from 8% in 1971 to around 15% today and people living alone now make up about 30% of all households.
These changes began accelerating in the 1960s and 1970s with the introduction of more liberal divorce laws, the women's movement and changing attitudes towards marriage. The 1969 Divorce Reform Act made it easier to get divorced, while the contraceptive pill gave women more control over reproduction.
One of the most significant changes in family life has been the increase in divorce rates, though they have stabilised and even fallen slightly in recent years.
Several factors have contributed to higher divorce rates since the 1970s:
The 1969 Divorce Reform Act and 1984 Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act made divorce easier and cheaper to obtain. The introduction of no-fault divorce in 2022 has further simplified the process.
Women's increased economic independence means they're less financially dependent on husbands and more able to leave unhappy marriages. More women in the workforce have their own income and pension rights.
There's less stigma attached to divorce today. Society has become more accepting of relationship breakdown and the idea of staying together 'for the children' is less common.
In 1970, there were about 60,000 divorces in England and Wales. This peaked at over 165,000 in 1993 and has since declined to around 100,000 per year. Interestingly, divorce rates are now highest among people aged 45-49, showing that the 'silver splitter' phenomenon (older couples divorcing) is becoming more common.
Marriage rates have declined significantly while cohabitation has increased dramatically.
Marriage rates in the UK have halved since 1972. People are marrying later (average age is now 31 for women and 33 for men, up from 22 and 24 in 1970) or not at all. Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2014, reflecting changing social attitudes.
Cohabitation has increased dramatically. In the 1960s, only about 5% of couples lived together before marriage. Now, over 80% of couples live together before getting married and many never marry at all. About 1 in 5 couples in the UK are cohabiting rather than married.
With higher divorce rates and relationship breakdowns, reconstituted or 'blended' families have become increasingly common.
Around 10% of families with dependent children in the UK are now step-families. These families create complex kinship networks where children may have multiple sets of grandparents, step-siblings and half-siblings.
Step-families often face unique challenges:
Traditional gender roles within families have undergone significant transformation.
Women's participation in the workforce has dramatically increased. In 1971, only 53% of women aged 16-64 were in paid work, compared to over 72% today. This has changed the traditional 'housewife' role, with women increasingly pursuing careers.
Men are increasingly involved in childcare and housework, though women still do the majority of domestic labour. The number of stay-at-home dads has doubled since the 1990s, though they still represent a small minority.
Children's experiences have changed too. They typically have fewer siblings, spend more time in formal childcare and often have relationships with multiple parental figures due to family breakdown and reformation.
Sociologists Young and Willmott (1973) suggested that families were becoming more 'symmetrical' - with men and women sharing roles more equally. While complete equality hasn't been achieved, there has been a significant shift towards more shared parenting and domestic responsibilities. Recent studies show that during the COVID-19 pandemic, many fathers spent more time with their children, potentially accelerating this trend.
Modern technology has transformed how families interact and maintain relationships.
Technology has created both opportunities and challenges for contemporary families:
Functionalists like Parsons might see these changes as potentially damaging to society, as the traditional nuclear family performed important functions like socialisation and emotional support. However, modern functionalists recognise that different family forms can still perform these functions.
Feminists generally view changes like women's increased independence and more equal relationships as positive developments. However, they point out that women still do most childcare and housework, even when working full-time - what Arlie Hochschild called the 'second shift'.
The key theme emerging from all these changes is increased family diversity. The UK now has a wide range of family forms coexisting, with no single 'normal' family type. This diversity reflects broader social changes including secularisation, individualisation and changing gender roles.
While some sociologists worry about family breakdown, others celebrate the increased freedom people have to form families that suit their circumstances. What's clear is that families continue to be important to people, even as their forms and functions evolve.