Changing the Institution of the Family in the United Kingdom - Essay Example

The Changing Nature of the Family in the UK: An Inter-Disciplinary Analysis al Affiliation: The Changing Nature of the Family in the UK: An Inter-Disciplinary Analysis Introduction The Family, as the basic unit of society, as part of the larger social entity, makes up what are referred to as social institutions, within the contemporary arena. Apart from the family, as the core unit of focus, other social institutions include work/profession and welfare. These are all critical in the provision of order and stability in communal settings. Adding to this is the fact that these do also provide and/or influence changes within social settings, thereby displaying their direct link to the dynamic nature of human societies. These changes may either be of a positive nature through the enhancement of diversity, or of negative effect, thereby portending to future uncertainty. Of fundamental importance to human societies and relations therein, is the concept and nature of ‘Power’. Social order is build and subsequently developed upon the existing concept of ‘power’ and power relations. Changes in a society’s order are thus indicative of changes taking place within the prevailing power relations. From the traditional family setup, various impacts have necessitated a rethink of the foundation of the family as the basic unit of society (Anderson, 1980). Questions arise as to whether changes taking effect, do signify the loss of order, or are indicative of the rise of new order within a society facing new pressures and constraints. Fundamentally, is the question of whether the family, as the basic unit of social cohesion and order is on the decline, or simply in transition. To better tackle this issue, would be the use of an inter-disciplinary approach with focus placed on social sciences. In addition, will be the use of various ideologies to better understand the concept of change, with regard to family, the society and power relations. This paper will look at the changing nature of the family in UK in terms of “breadwinner role”. As Chambers (2012) asserts, the concept behind existing social order, as well as changes in such social order, is therefore indicative of the dynamic nature of power relations. Similar to other societies, the UK family setup has also experienced change seeing many women take up the breadwinning role that men played. An Inter-disciplinary Approach (Analysis) The field of social sciences provides avenues through which such change can be best explained. This is though various disciplines, with the paper focusing on three of these i.e. Economics, Psychology and History. These fields, plus others not mentioned, has the core focus of studying society, abate from specific points of view. By drawing from participation of the three aforementioned disciplines, I intend to display the changing nature of the family unit, in reference to British society. The society has come from the traditional ‘patriarchal’ unit, to the contemporary forms of family units found today. Through interdisciplinary studies, one is able to understand the dynamic nature of the world, in terms of complexity, accelerated globalization and the advancement of science and technology. In the past, men were the prime breadwinners in the family. However, the changing times has seen this role shift to both women and men because of changes in education, economic issues and the change in lifestyle. A Historical Analysis Through History, we learn that during the ‘Golden Age’ era, the family unit was traditional and nuclear in nature. As Hughes and Gergusson (2004) allude, this was made up of a husband, the wife and dependent children. The husband was a man and he was the sole breadwinner of the family. Men and women were not equal partners because the man was the head of the house. Here, patriarchy was the prevailing model with male patriarchs dominating family life, while the women’s role was subordinate in nature. Today, this has changed significantly. The man is the head of the house but is equal with the woman in the family in terms of parenting and family provision roles. The change experienced is related to the major social reconstruction process that followed the Second World War, and its myriads of uncertainties. The resulting new family arrangement was founded on the need to order stability by way of enhancing a healthy family (Hughes & Gergusson, 2004). Through understanding the concept of cause and effect, one is able to acknowledge the fact that changes within the British family setup have in turn caused changes within the larger society. Because of the globalization process, other factors and influences have, and continue affecting the role, place and functionality of the family and society in general (Macionis & Plummer, 2008). People from different regions, ethnicities and races intermarry. As such, cultures mix and traditional family set-up weakens seeing more women becoming part of the breadwinning role. Historically, not many women acquired education, which negatively affected their chances of employment. However, today many women are educated and employed meaning that they have the capacity to perform the breadwinning role. Economic Concepts and Analysis The dynamic nature of Economics brought about changes, which necessitated changes in social setting. While the ‘Golden Age’ era encompassed around the nuclear family, the need for better life resulted in the ‘Woman’ leaving her traditional role of home keeping. Initially, as only concerned with child bearing, nurturing and home making, the prevailing human advancement necessitated her joining professional life. Unlike previously, as Schultz (1975) asserts, where men were responsible for the upkeep and support of their children and partners financially, the corporate woman changed this perspective. While considering change, it is also critical to take note of the aspect of continuity. This is because such change did not entirely eradicate the concept of family, but rather developed it as humanity continued to evolve (Schultz, 1975). This is informed by the fact that in all social contexts present, the family is and still remains the central institution through lives are ordered, as well as values transmitted. To better understand the economic aspect of change within British society is the need to delve into two important, yet conflictual ideologies. On the one hand is the aspect of Conservatism, while on the other, the Feminist ideal. The former, is in relation to the need for a continued existence and observance of family life, as portrayed during the aforementioned ‘Golden Age.’ Family life, as Folbre (1996) alludes, was characterized by a traditional, nuclear setup, where the family was a team, under the leadership and guidance of the man. Roles were clearly defined, with the men going out to work and hence had contact with the external world. Today, women have joined the workforce in different sectors be it education, banking and law among others. This has enabled them provide basic needs for their families similarly to their male counterparts. Because of the women joining the corporate world, change has inevitable, although some aspects of family life and role-play have remained constant. Feminism, sought to enhance the woman’s role in not only the family setup, but the society as well. This came about with enhanced agitation for greater freedoms, rights and opportunities, as presented to their male counterparts. As such, women have left the home keeping role that they used to do majorly and come out to participate in other sectors that have enabled them to help men in provision of family needs such as paying school fees, providing food and clothing for family members (Folbre, 1996). A Psychological Analysis Women, in agitating for greater rights, as informed by the Feminist perspective, view change as an avenue through which they may be able to redress the existing inequalities. As Newman and Grauerhoiz (2002) observe, this is about power relations as embedded within traditional family settings. Accordingly, they view the family unit, as a place where women’s oppression is sustained i.e. through gender repression, domestic violence and financial dependency amongst others. The realization that women can perform as well as men has made them rise and oppose the male dominance that society has had for a very long time. Women have been educated, some better than men, occupy powerful positions in large companies and earn high wages. This has made their traditional role of home keeping change to accommodate their new acquired influence in the family to act as full or partly breadwinners. Through Psychology, one understands the reasons, factors and resulting trends that are influential to change of women’s role as home-keepers to breadwinners. Trends, which resulted from changes in attitudes to marriage, were influenced by the aforementioned ideal of Feminism. As a result, different trends emerged, which dynamically changed the face and/or concept of family. These include the acceptance of divorce where marriage no longer was viewed as binding for life, cohabitation where marriage was viewed as not being necessary and re-marriage where marriage to someone else other than the initial partner became acceptable. In addition to this was the change in attitudes, with regard to sexual and role playing relations (Newman & Grauerhoiz, 2002). A direct result of this change in attitudes was the fact that more children became born outside marriage. It is one of the reasons for the increase in the number of single-parent households in the current society. Because of the growth of single-parent families, which are mostly of women parents, women decided to take up jobs to provide for their children, housing needs and other needs such as education and other secondary needs. Other factors pertain to the death or divorce of a partner, with more women opting to concentrate on their career lives as well as taking care of their children solely. It is from these changes in social values, behavioral norms and attitudes to sexuality, which has resulted in opportunities for the creation of other forms of family arrangement. Thus, there are increasing numbers of lesbian and gay marriages and families, which are recognized by the prevailing laws. Civil partnerships have also effected, because of changes in law, as of the year 2005. More recently, has been the Bill on gay marriage (2013), which accepted and legally recognized same-sex relations. Here women who are lesbians marry, adopt children, provide for them just like a family with a father, and mother (Weeks, Heaphy, & Donovan, 2001). In conclusion, the family as a social institution contributes fundamentally to the social order. However, changes in societal values have had a significant impact on the family structure, ideals and role-play, within the contemporary era. Today many women have taken up the breadwinner role that was a preserve for men. On the one hand, conservatives are of the view that such changes will result in an eventual breakdown of social order while feminists welcome the changes, as vital in the re-ordering of the existing social make-up/ structures. Through an inter-disciplinary approach, one is better able to grasp the reasons why, influences, ideals and perspectives that have necessitated the change, abate maintaining some form of continuity. References Anderson, M. (1980). Sociology of the Family: Selected Readings. London: Penguin. Chambers, D. (2012). A Sociology of Family Life: Change and Diversity in Intimate Relations. Cambridge: Polity Press. David, M. E. (2003). Personal and Political. Feminism, Sociology and Family Lives. Stoke on Trent: Trentham Books. Folbre, N. (1996). The Economics of the Family. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. Held, D. (2004). A Globalising World? Culture, Economics, Politics, (Ed.). London: Routledge. Hughes, G. & Fergusson, R. (2004). Ordering Lives: Family, Work and Welfare, (Eds.). London: Routledge. Macionis, J. J. & Plummer, K. (2008). Sociology: A global Introduction, (Eds.). London: Prentice Hall. Newman, D. & Grauerhoiz, L. (2002). Sociology of Families. Thousand Oaks: Sage. Schultz, T. W. (1975). Economics of the Family: Marriage, Children and Humans. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Weeks, J., Heaphy, B., & Donovan, C. (2001). Same Sex Intimacies: Families of Choice and Other Life Experiments: London: Routledge. Read More