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4- 32

We are all familiar with the nuclear family, which has been the dominant family structure in the UK for the last sixty years, at least. However, recent changes show that our idea of the traditional nuclear family as the cornerstone of British family life is changing. There have been emerging patterns which are eroding this structure; namely, the rise of step-families, cohabitation, lone-parenting, and the rapid increase in those living alone. We are going to explore these areas in turn, and look at their effect in terms of the family.

First, step-families are now becoming more and more common. Step-families are created when one or both partners have a child or children from a previous relationship. In 1980, the percentage of children under thirteen who were living with one parent and their new partner was just four percent. In 2008, this figure had increased to twenty percent. Ihe USA has seen an even greater rise: new statistics show that almost half of under thirteens are living in a step-family. Now, we can still call the step-family structure a 'nuclear' family, as it does follow the structure of two parents, and dependent children. However, it also creates somewhat of a nuclear 'blur'. Step-brothers and sisters may belong to two family units, so where do we draw the line at which family they belong to?

Co-habitation, when partners do not marry, yet live together as a family, has also increased. In 2006, of the 17.5 million families in Britain, nearly three million of these comprised unmarried couples. What does this mean to the nuclear family? Firstly, the traditional view of a nuclear family requires married parents, so we can't put these types of family under this umbrella. Statistics show that even if cohabiting couples have children, they are more likely to separate than their married equivalents. Lastly, we need to look at the rise of the DINKS, which stands for Dual Income No Kids. As Clarke and Henwood are choosing a life without children, putting consumer spending first.

Lone-parenting is a relatively recent family structure which has rapidly grown in the last half century. In 1972. only one in fourteen children lived in a lone-parent family. When we compare this with today's figure of one in four, we can see that this is a rapid increase. In the past, lone-parenthood was overwhelmingly the result of a death of a parent. Nowadays however, it is increasingly a choice. Some sociologists argue that this increase is due to the outlook of women. Where women once were willing to accept an unhappy or abusive marriage, now many will choose lone-parenthood. Often this can be just a transitory phase before they find a new partner. This view of women's attitudes and lone parenting is highly debated, because some figures show that the largest group of lone parents are mothers who have never married. So, I would advise further research. You can find counter arguments for these ideas in Butler and Jones.

One difficulty for single parents is that they are a social group who are much more likely to suffer from poverty and hardship. They are more likely to live in rented accommodation and have childcare issues. Last, an increasing number of people are choosing to live alone. The number of people living alone in Britain has more than doubled in the last twenty years. In 1990 just over four million people lived alone. Now this figure has reached 8.5 million, an incredibly rapid growth which has had enormous effects on the traditional nuclear family. This number represents a great chunk of the population who either by choice or necessity, are outside the traditional family unit. Some think that these changes may not help the community. In fact. there are many arguments that this rise in living outside a family unit will create a more isolationist and less community-based society, where close bonds which are usually formed within the family have no place. Leaving aside whether or not the housing even exists for this boom, an important factor which must be looked at is the disproportionate expense for those living on their own. By this I mean, the burden of all costs is shouldered by one wage instead of two, and, of course, one person is using the energy which could be shared between a group, having a great impact on the environment, too.

However, on a more positive note, people, especially women, are able to feel more independent and liberated than ever before. It's important to remember though that living alone may not always be a permanent state. many women are delaying having children, choosing to spend some years on their own beforehand. This particular demographic may eventually join a nuclear family structure.

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We are all familiar with the nuclear family, which has been the dominant family structure in the UK for the last sixty years, at least. We are all familiar with the nuclear family, which has been the dominant family structure in the UK for the last sixty years, at least. However, recent changes show that our idea of the traditional nuclear family as the cornerstone of British family life is changing. There have been emerging patterns which are eroding this structure; namely, the rise of step-families, cohabitation, lone-parenting, and the rapid increase in those living alone. We are going to explore these areas in turn, and look at their effect in terms of the family.

First, step-families are now becoming more and more common. Step-families are created when one or both partners have a child or children from a previous relationship. In 1980, the percentage of children under thirteen who were living with one parent and their new partner was just four percent. In 2008, this figure had increased to twenty percent. Ihe USA has seen an even greater rise: new statistics show that almost half of under thirteens are living in a step-family. Now, we can still call the step-family structure a 'nuclear' family, as it does follow the structure of two parents, and dependent children. However, it also creates somewhat of a nuclear 'blur'. Step-brothers and sisters may belong to two family units, so where do we draw the line at which family they belong to?

Co-habitation, when partners do not marry, yet live together as a family, has also increased. In 2006, of the 17.5 million families in Britain, nearly three million of these comprised unmarried couples. What does this mean to the nuclear family? Firstly, the traditional view of a nuclear family requires married parents, so we can't put these types of family under this umbrella. Statistics show that even if cohabiting couples have children, they are more likely to separate than their married equivalents. Lastly, we need to look at the rise of the DINKS, which stands for Dual Income No Kids. As Clarke and Henwood are choosing a life without children, putting consumer spending first.

Lone-parenting is a relatively recent family structure which has rapidly grown in the last half century. In 1972. only one in fourteen children lived in a lone-parent family. When we compare this with today's figure of one in four, we can see that this is a rapid increase. In the past, lone-parenthood was overwhelmingly the result of a death of a parent. Nowadays however, it is increasingly a choice. Some sociologists argue that this increase is due to the outlook of women. Where women once were willing to accept an unhappy or abusive marriage, now many will choose lone-parenthood. Often this can be just a transitory phase before they find a new partner. This view of women's attitudes and lone parenting is highly debated, because some figures show that the largest group of lone parents are mothers who have never married. So, I would advise further research. You can find counter arguments for these ideas in Butler and Jones.

One difficulty for single parents is that they are a social group who are much more likely to suffer from poverty and hardship. They are more likely to live in rented accommodation and have childcare issues. Last, an increasing number of people are choosing to live alone. The number of people living alone in Britain has more than doubled in the last twenty years. In 1990 just over four million people lived alone. Now this figure has reached 8.5 million, an incredibly rapid growth which has had enormous effects on the traditional nuclear family. This number represents a great chunk of the population who either by choice or necessity, are outside the traditional family unit. Some think that these changes may not help the community. In fact. there are many arguments that this rise in living outside a family unit will create a more isolationist and less community-based society, where close bonds which are usually formed within the family have no place. Leaving aside whether or not the housing even exists for this boom, an important factor which must be looked at is the disproportionate expense for those living on their own. By this I mean, the burden of all costs is shouldered by one wage instead of two, and, of course, one person is using the energy which could be shared between a group, having a great impact on the environment, too.

However, on a more positive note, people, especially women, are able to feel more independent and liberated than ever before. It's important to remember though that living alone may not always be a permanent state. many women are delaying having children, choosing to spend some years on their own beforehand. This particular demographic may eventually join a nuclear family structure.