the family lec 1 amcd 2007

Introduction:The family : Introduction:The family The family is a complex social institution Sociologists examine social change & how this impacts on family life Also study the role, functions & structure of families in society & how this may change over time


Slide2 : This lecture will outline some terms & definitions of the family & consider how the structure, functions & roles of families have changed over time Pre-industrialisation Industrialisation


Slide3 : Sociologists point out there is no such thing as ‘the family’ anymore The family structure has changed less than a quarter of households in UK conform to model of traditional family (Giddens 2006)


Some definitions & terms : Some definitions & terms Difference between ‘families’ & ‘households’ Family - a group of people tied by relationships of blood, marriage or adoption Household - a residence for one person or a group of people (who can be family or unrelated), sharing accommodation


Slide5 : Nuclear family - mother, father & children (natural or adopted) Extended family - nuclear family + one or more other relatives Modified extended family - close family members live in close proximity to each other


The family: Historical developments : The family: Historical developments Before industrialisation: Home & workplace were often in same place Community life was significant (above differed from the modern isolated nuclear family of modernity)


Slide7 : Marriage often seen as an alliance Production of most goods & services was organised within the household Family seen as the basic unit of social production


How did industrialisation impact on family life? : How did industrialisation impact on family life? Production of goods became organised through workshops & factories Led to separation of home & workplace From being an integral part of family life, work became a separate, external activity Thus, family mostly lost the function of production


Slide9 : Industrialisation led to profound changes in family life Wage labour - source of family income women often excluded from social production Husbands seen as the principle breadwinner However, Harris (1977) highlights a gradual change of roles


Slide10 : ‘….industrialisation did not result immediately in a differentiation between domestic & industrial labour tied to gender & the isolation of the family. On the contrary, all members of the family were employed in the factories & the mines, & women & children were only gradually excluded’


Slide11 : Despite effects of industrialisation on family life Many families still produced goods for consumption Many women & children involved in domestic or cottage industries


Slide12 : Absolute dependence on purchased goods occurred in later stages of industrial capitalism


Slide13 : Agricultural economy Extended family


Slide14 : Industrialisation & urbanisation Manufacturing economy Nuclear family


Has industrialisation altered the structure of the family? : Has industrialisation altered the structure of the family? Traditional sociological views: The present form of family (nuclear) evolved from an earlier extended type Extended family was predominant in pre-industrial times Modern nuclear family emerged as a result of industrialisation & urbanisation


Slide16 : This refers to ‘evolutionary’ view (supported by functionalist sociologists) Marxists also agree with above, but promote capitalism as the cause (not industrialisation)


Challenges to evolutionary view : Challenges to evolutionary view Laslett (1972) researched parish records found evidence that extended families were not dominant during pre-industrialisation in Western Europe Nuclear family more typical


Slide18 : However, others (Anderson 1981) studied households in Preston, a textile area Analysis of 1851 census data Found evidence of extended families Older relatives cared for children families took in orphans & / or lodgers


Slide19 : Later research (1950’s) Henriques & Slaughter, “Coal is our life” found: Similar patterns of extended family living Extended families could help younger members get work


Slide20 : Thus, for many urbanised w/c families, industrialisation did not result in nuclear family household


Conclusion: Why is a historical analysis of the family important? : Conclusion: Why is a historical analysis of the family important? Examined effects of industrialisation on families & households (roles/functions) Points to complexity of family structures in the past Questions simple ‘before’ & ‘after’ views re impact of industrialisation on family Diversity is not a modern phenomenon


Next lecture : Next lecture Will examine relevant sociological theoretical debates re the family This will include analysis of Functionalism Marxism Feminism Critical theory/New right approaches Postmodernism