Role of Family in the UK - Essay Example

?Running Head: Family in UK Family in UK [Institute’s Family in UK The definition of family has changed over the centuries for reasons that include both social and structural changes in the western world. The UK family structure has changed in the last 40-40 years. Initially, social scientists including anthropologists and sociologists agreed on various ‘conventional’ definition of family. One such definition was that of Murdocks in 1949, which stated, “A social group characterized by common residence, economic corporation, and reproduction. It includes adults of both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one or more children, own or adopted, of the sexually cohabiting adults” (Settles, pp56, 1999). According to Coontz, the world family until the 19th century was commonly explained as a married couple, living with their co-resident children and distinguished from a household or more distant kin (Arnold, 2007, n.d). Therefore, the definitions stated above, and as described by the question have common themes, that of a union of a heterosexual couple (male and female) with recognized rights and obligations, and children. Heterosexuality is the sexual orientation to the persons of the opposite sex. This definition of the family is that of a nuclear family (Lamanna & Reidmann, pp3, 2006). However, at the turn of the 20th century, contemporary social scientists have challenged this definition of family. Various new definitions of family have emerged. There have been various phenomena, which have changed this traditional definition. During the 1900s, Western world had seen dramatic shifts in women employment, opportunities for sexual expression, and technological advances that have touched numerous aspects of the social life of individuals. In addition, the society of today is a dynamic one and families are adapting to meet the new demands of the world. This is because now change and diversity is the norm (Karraker & Grochowski, pp18, 2006). Many people because of a variety of factors have reconsidered the conventional definition of family. This may be because of increased awareness of human rights and equality, feminism, and the place of law. One other reason is due to the increased divorce rate that increased in the mid-fifties. This has led to the family including one divorced adult with another heterosexual adult, bringing up a custodial child (belonging to either adult) and children. Hence, one wonders about the boundaries of family (Settles, pp57, 1999). Families offer the need of intimacy, communication, problem solving and helping each other according to Karraker & Grochowski (2006). Grochowski’s concept of strategic living communities has expanded the traditional definition of family to include all such members who offer intimacy and love. In a way, families are regarded as proactive organism, and it should not be limited to rigid definitions and stereotypes. In this way, everyone has their own right to define who their family is. It is highly independent on the individual (Karraker, Grochowski, pp18, 2006). Therefore, in the recent times, social scientists of different fields have challenged the conventional definition of family. Family is a very core concept in social sciences especially that in sociology. Hence, the paper will initially address the sociologists’ view of the conventional definition of family. In sociology, the family is regarded as the social institution. It is the key to primary socialization for children in society (Charles, pp. 1-2, 2004). Family life and work has transformed due to recent times in various countries. Hence, the issue of what a family consists of has been greatly talked about. In contemporary tines, the traditional definition is not synonymous to what families currently are. Today’s families include different types of living arrangement, not necessarily that of two adults of opposite sex living together. Today’s families include many types of living arrangements and relationships including single-parent households, unmarried couples living together, lesbian and gay couples as well. Hence, this is why there is a need for a more encompassing definition of the word ‘sociology’ (Kendall, pp 486, 2008). Almost 25% of all families in Britain are one-parent families. This is because the divorce rate has recently increased. Several factors, however have contributed to the rise in the number of divorces according to few experts (Moules & Ramsay, pp 8, 1998). This includes fewer stigmas attached to divorce, changing roles of women since most of the divorce petitions are made by women and changing expectations of marriage since there is a more stress on equality in marriage (Moules & Ramsay, pp 8, 1998). In addition, various findings have also showed that the existence of children in the family may be minimal. Some couples also choose to remain childless. In fact, “one sixth of the women will never have children” (Arnold, pp.3, 2007). This view is widely held by feminist thinkers. In addition, the definition also includes the fact that it has to be a socially approved relationship. However, there are relationships, which are not approved especially if the partners are co-habiting outside martial ties. The definition cited above meant the function of the family remains to procreate. However, the reproductive function of the family has suffered to quite an extent in modern societies. Advanced technology like “clone” and test tube baby method may threaten this function of the family. In this way, the conventional definition of the family does not remain true (Dash, pp 86, 2004). Not only this, but also this definition also takes into account the fact that the children are linked biologically to both parents. However, with the increment of reproductive technology, approximately one in seven couples has difficulty in conceiving. The treatment available to tackle this problem means that the infertility in men can be overcome by inseminating their partners with either fresh or frozen donated sperms. This sheds light to the fact that some of the children are genetically in linkage to their mothers but not to their fathers (Moules & Ramsay, pp 11, 1998). Not only that but sisters and brothers living together under one roof with no sexual relations maybe regarded as a family as well. This is because there are blood ties and emotional bonding among them, which constitutes a family as well (Settles, pp 65, 1999). Therefore, a less traditional definition of the family, as stated by experts in earlier decades, was when “two or more people construct an environment in which they generally will share a living space, commitment, and a variety of functions usually considered as part of the family life” (Ashford et. al, pp. 151, 2008). In this way, this includes all such people who decide to act as a family. By this definition, single-parent families, gay and lesbian couples, elderly people not related by blood but living together as a family may all come under the definition of a single family unit. In addition, throughout history the definition of family has constantly varied. Historically, the definition of family has changed. It was by late 14th century that the English word ‘family’ was derived from Latin. Family, in 17th century exclusively referred to man’s offspring solely. It was not until the 19th century, that such a traditional definition of the family with the heterosexual couple and their children appeared. Therefore, historic scientists have also challenged this definition by stating that perhaps the word has actually returned to its former self, encompassing all sorts of people (Arnold, pp 1, 4, 2007). The law, in a sense has affirmed with the definition of the family. It does not really take into account same-sex marriage, therefore affirming with the ‘heterosexual couple’ part of the conventional definition. However, same sex couples are now able to enter into civil partnership, which gives them equal rights and responsibilities as married couples. In a legal context, the word ‘family’ has been quite hard to define. The current social trends have also forced lawmakers to acknowledge that the meaning of family depends upon the context in which it is being used (Graycar & Morgan, pp98, 1990). Therefore, discussion throughout the paper asserts the fact that the conventional definition of family has proven to be ‘grossly inadequate and too simplistic’ (Settles, pp 58, 1999). Moreover, it is quite impossible to arrive at one definition of family that is universal. The world is a dynamic one and most experts in the field have concluded, “There is no single correct definition of what a family is” (Net Industries, 2011). References Arnold, D. 2007. Decline in the Traditional Family. Retrieved on March 14, 2011: www.associatedcontent.com/article/234244/decline_in_the_traditional_family_pg2.html?cat=25 Ashford, J and LeCroy, C and Lortie, K. 2008. “The Social Dimension.” Human Behavior in the Social Environment. Belmont: Brook/Cole Cengage Learning. 151. Charles, B. Nam. 2004. “The Concept of the Family.” The Official Journal of the North Carolina Sociological Association. Volume 2, Issue 2. Dash, K. 2004. “Introduction.” Kedarnath Dash. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers & Distributors. 86. Graycar, R, and Morgan, J. 1990. “Financial aspects of Family Law.” The Hidden gender of law. Sydney: The Federation Press. 98. Karraker, M, and Grochowski, J. 2006. “A 21st century reconstruction of Family.” Families with futures. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. 17-18 Kendall, D. 2008. “Families in Global Perspective.” Sociology in Our Times. Belmont: Thomson and Wadsworth. 186. Lamanna, M, and Riedmann, A. 2006. “Family Commitments.” Marriages and Families: Making Choices in a Diverse Society. Canada: Thomson and Wadsworth. 3. Moules, T, and Ramsay, J. 1998. “The Family.” The textbook of children's nursing. Cheltenham: Stanley Thomas Publishers. 8, 11. Net Industries. 2011. Definition of Family - Related Constructs, Inclusive Definitions, Theoretical Definitions, Situational Definitions, Normative Definitions, Conclusion Read more: Definition of Family - Related Constru. Retrieved on March 14, 2011: http://family.jrank.org/pages/492/Family-Definition.html Settles, B H. 1999. “Redefining Western Families.” Concepts and definitions of family for the 21st century. USA: Haworth Press. 56-65. Read More