Family patterns - family structures

Question 1

How many of all families are step families?

Answer 1

10%

Question 2

How much (%) of step families include at least one child from former family of mothers?

Answer 2

85%

Question 3

FERRI and SMITH

Answer 3

ound step families are very similar to first families and the involvement of stepparents is a positive one

But can have a greater risk of poverty

Question 4

EVAL - ALLan and Crow

Answer 4

stepfamilies may face particular problems of divided loyalties and issues such as contact with non - resident parent causing issues

Question 5

EVAL - McCarthy

Answer 5

→ concluded there is diversity between families so where should speak stepfamilies as plural → some have a few tensions which is similar to that of ‘intact’ families

Question 6

What ethnic minority group have the highest % of lone parent families?

Answer 6

Black families 51% in comparison to 1/4 populaiton as a whole

Question 7

What are the explanations of balck ethnic gorup most likely to have lone parent households

Answer 7

→ concluded there is diversity between families so where should speak stepfamilies as plural → some have a few tensions which is similar to that of ‘intact’ families

Question 8

MIRZA

Answer 8

argues it is not due to the disorganisation buy reflects the high value black women place on independence

Question 9

REYNOLDS - black lone parent households

Answer 9

argues the stats are misleading many are in stable relationships that ar

Question 10

Asian families what family structure are they likely to have

Answer 10

larger families containing 3 generations but often nuclear

Question 11

Why do Asian families often have more people?

Answer 11

• Large households due to low younger age profile → most in child bearing age groups
• The larger households can reflect the Asian cultures / practical consideration

BALLARD → found extended family gave asian migrants support during 50/60s

Question 12

What does Parsons argue about the extended family?

Answer 12

Replaced by the nuclear family in post modern society

Question 13

Charles - extended family

Answer 13

tudy of Swansea found that 3 generation family is all bur extinct

Question 14

Wilmott - extended family

Answer 14

argues it still exists but as a ‘dispersed extended family’ with living apart but close contact

Question 15

Chamberalin study

Answer 15

caribbean families in Britain found that despite being geographically dispersed they continue to provide support → describes them as several nuclear families with close frequent contact → performs functions still

Question 16

What is the bean pole family - Brannen?

Answer 16

A particular type of extended family -
BRANNEN describes it as ‘long and thin’
* Extended vertically - through three or more generations
* But is not extended horizontally - no aunts / uncles / cousins

Question 17

What has caused for the growth in the beanpole family?

Answer 17

• One reason is increased life expectancy - meaning more grandparents are surviving
• Another reason for the increase is smaller family sizes - meaning people have fewer siblings → fewer horizontal ties

Question 18

What does cheal note about the beanpole family?

Answer 18

• notes that where personal care for an elderly woman is needed it is a daughter / (in law) expected to care for women.
• Since women live longer as a result of the ageing population women have to take on the responsibility as an informal carer. - however need to look at historical

Question 19

Finch and mason - obligations to relatives

Answer 19

ound over 90% of people had given or received financial help and about ½ cared for a sick relative

• Also found that more is expected of females
• Found reciprocity and balance is important → help should be returned to avoid feelings of indebtedness