Sociology- The extended family today
- Created by: Daisymac
- Created on: 15-03-19 14:26
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- The extended family today
- What?
- According to functionalists, the extended family is the dominant family type in pre industrial society, but in modern industrial society is replaced by the nuclear family
- Charles 2008 study of swansea found that the classic 3 generation all under one roof is now extinct.
- Willmott 1988 argues that the extended family exists as a dispersed extended family where relatives are geographically separated but maintained frequent contact
- Chamberlain 1999 study of Caribbean families found that, despite not being geographically dispersed, they continue to provide support
- Described them as multiple nuclear families with close and frequent contact
- Bell 1968 research in Swansea found that both WC and MC families had emotional bonds with kin and relied on them for support
- MC had more financial help from father to son
- WC more frequent contact and more domestic help from mothers to daughters
- The beanpole family
- The beanpole family is a particular family type that Brannen 2003 describes as long and thin
- Extended vertically through three or more generations
- Not extended horizontally through aunts and cousins
- Result of two demographic changes
- Increased life expectancy means more surviving grandparents and parents
- Smaller family sizes meaning people have fewer siblings so less horizontal ties
- Obligations to relatives
- Finch and Mason 1993 found that over 90% of people had given or received financial help
- Found this was more expected off of females rather than males
- Cheal 2002 argues when it comes to household tasks a systematic set of rules exist for deciding who has the greatest obligation to assist
- When help for caring for an elderly relative is needed, daughter or daughter in law is preferred.
- Mason 2011 found that particular obligations women feel towards their relatives and what other responsibilities they have that would give them legitimate excuses not to be involves
- Finch and Mason found that the principle of reciprocity or balance is also important as people felt that help received should be returned
- Finch and Mason 1993 found that over 90% of people had given or received financial help
- What?
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