Outline and evaluate the view that the extended family no longer plays a significant role in family life on Contemporary Britain

by nishtar123 (student)

The Extended Family in Britain Today

‘Outline and evaluate the view that the extended family no longer plays a significant role in family life on Contemporary Britain’

A popular discussion which is renowned by sociologists is extended families, as it has contrasting differences in regards to the issues in contemporary Britain. The idea which is distinguished by most sociologist; i.e. Willmott, would be that extended families no longer exist in families in Modern Britain; however, this viewpoint is ardently disputed by some writers, i.e. Litwak instead argues that extended families exist and is still important in today’ society.

Sociologists have been long divided on the issue of extended families; some believe that extended families were popular but recently a study which has been shown by Young and Willmott (1973) that family structures have changed to nuclear families. Families had an extended structure in the past, however, it was before industrialisation, a family consisted of being a unit of production, and it was also mainly self-sufficient. With industrialisation there was significant change towards nuclear family as functionalists preserve that this was better ‘fit’ with the changing the needs of society. This shows how families don’t have to be large; back in the days in was large due to the industrialised revolution. However, this era has changed as more people have become more independent and can support themselves; i.e. grandparents live nowadays on their own or in old peoples care home.

Secondly, families have become more undersized as the recent emergence of a more dispersed society; people are willing to migrate to further places in order to pursue their careers. This is more convenient for nuclear families are geographically mobile; this is advantageous as if one of the family members decide to move for a better employment opportunity for financial improvement. For example; the younger generation would move most likely to the city in order to pursue and better career/education, a young couple would find it easier as they would be able to start their own family where it is more ...

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On the other hand, an alternate theory provided by the sociologist Litwak, argues that extended family is important and still exists in Britain’s society, but in a modified form. It is modified as doesn’t usually rest on co-residence between the generations; it maintains multi-generational ties making it an extended family. In comparison to the traditional extended family where family members must live in close proximity, the members of the modified extended family may freely move away from relations to search for better opportunities for work-related advancement.

Further evidence which supports the view of ‘Sandwich Generation’ is a good way for low budget families to save money by everyone moving in together, this which includes; the younger generation and ageing parents. Statistics have shown that 850,000 domestic households in Britain aged between the ranges of ’34-64 have one or both parents living at home research provided by Economic Lifestyle, a retirement housing and finance specialist.

Not only does empirical evidence strengthen the view of extended families no longer playing an important role in family life, but studies from Janet Foster’s ‘Villains’, extended families are still of subsistence within some societies. ‘Classical Extended Family’ has been defined as to this, scarce areas such as; East London still preserve the values of Extended Families. In accordance to, Policy Studies Institute, some ethnic groups such as; Bangladeshis and Pakistanis predominantly do in some cases have extended family households, it strengthens the families’ relations.

To conclude from this, I hold the same judgement for both arguments, I agree that extended family isn’t as frequent as before, but is common but in the modified form. Due to the recent progression of transportation it has made it much easier to travel and get better employment opportunities, however people can still maintain extended families as recent technology allows face to face communication as well as instant messaging. I believe distance is a matter but as long as frequent visits and lots of contact then it is appropriate.

Bibliography:

Dispersed Extended Families – Peter Willmott

Janet Foster – ‘Villains’

Litwak (Worksheet)

Living Together: Return of the extended Family

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/3360341/Living-together-Return-of-the-extended-family.html