Types of Family.

Types of Family

Tom Platts

1. What is a nuclear family? A nuclear family consists of a unit, which has an adult male and female with their dependant offspring. In common terms this means that there are direct relations such as parents, brothers and sisters. However, if the two adults don’t have children it therefore means that they are not part of a nuclear family, they are just part of a household. They must also be related by blood, marriage or adoption to qualify as a nuclear family.

The family is based on the concept of monogamy, which in our society is built into the Christian moral code and is supported by our judicial system in England. It is illegal in our society for bigamy to take place.

2. How does the extended family vary from the nuclear? The structure of families varies form society to society. The smallest family unit is the nuclear, whilst units larger than the nuclear family are often known as extended families. Such families can be seen as extensions of the nuclear unit, either vertical extensions - for example, the additions of members of a third generation such as the spouses parents, or, horizontal extensions – the addition of the same generation as the spouse, e.g. cousins. All of these are blood relatives.

3. What is Kinship? Kinship describes people who are blood related, married or provide support for members of a group. These can be friends or neighbours. They are also about how they influence others within their group relationships.

Socialisation and Social Placement

1. What is Socialisation? Socialisation is a lifelong experience in which we learn values. When in the family, it is named primary socialisation where children learn the basic rules of behaviour, norms and beliefs. These include general politeness, table manners, reading etc…

Later on follows secondary socialisation, which reinforces the norms of living but in a more ...

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Socialisation and Social Placement

Later on follows secondary socialisation, which reinforces the norms of living but in a more mature way. We also learn appropriate patterns of behaviour in specific social situations

2.Why is socialisation important?

Socialisation is important to maintain the rules of society and learn how to cope with day-to-day life and other people. If there were no form of socialisation, then there would be no maturity in the world in which we live in.

There are certain social institutions in which help to upkeep the society such as the judicial system. This enforces the laws of our country, which are made to allow people to live more harmoniously with one another.

3. Who decides what is correct socialisation? Each different society has its own norms and behavioural rules. For instance, doing something totally natural and respectable in one society may be looked down on in another. Therefore there is no one correct type of socialisation, but it depends on the surrounding community.

There are, however, rules set by the society’s judicial system, which if not adhered to, may result in punishment in the form of fines, warnings or imprisonment.

4. How have ideas of relevant socialisation changed Britain in the last 20 years? Firstly, the media has a profound impact on our society. This institution is booming after the effects that it has on us, whether it is a positive impact, or, usually negative and gives people a bad name.

As the media industry has increased, sports have been growing in popularity by the means of television, and sports have been encouraged to be played at an earlier age.

Secondly, the government has changed hands from Conservative to Labour. This has had many effects on the way in which we live like transport systems, tuition fees, scholarships/assisted places etc…

But, not all of our ways of day-to-day life has changed though. For instance, some of today’s clothing fashions were popular a generation ago. Also, there are still exams, but more of them. There are different subjects to be taught and more people being admitted to universities.