What is family? (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

Types of family

• A family is a group of people who are related by blood, marriage or adoption

• Family life has changed over the years, and there are many types of family in modern Britain

  • A nuclear family is a couple and their children

    • This is the most common type of family in modern Britain

  • A single-parent family is one parent with their own child or children

    • This is caused by factors such as a result of a breakdown in a couple’s relationship or the death of one of the parents

    • The number of single-parent families has continued to rise in modern Britain, partly as a result of an increase in the divorce rate

  • A reconstituted family is formed when parents divorce and remarry or cohabit with a new partner

    • This type of family may be made up of a mix of step-parents and stepchildren

  • An extended family is where other relatives such as grandparents are included within the family

    • Extended families living together is very common in many non-Western cultures

  • A childless family

    • This is where a married or cohabiting couple are either unable to have children or decide not to have children.

  • A same-sex family is one where same-sex parents raise children together

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Types of family

• Although there are many types of family groups in modern Britain, the family is considered the main building block of society

• The family:

  • Is where all human relationships begin and are developed

  • Is where the norms and values of society are taught and lived out in practice

  • Is a place of love and compassion, and children who experience this within their family will grow up to show love and kindness to others

  • Creates stability and structure for its members

  • Provides people with security and a sense of belonging

    • The adults in the family take responsibility for the younger members, and even if you get into trouble, there is support for you

  • Is considered the best environment to bring up children and meet their needs

Traditional views of the family

• The traditional view of the family unit was that: 

  • The man was responsible for providing for the family through work and was seen as the leader of the family

  • The woman was responsible for domestic life and had the leading role in bringing up children

• This traditional view is part of a patriarchal view of society, a society controlled by men

Changing views of the family

• As society has changed, the views of family have changed too

• A more modern view of the family is to see it as a place where both men and women:

  • Play equal roles and form a partnership

  • Share all responsibilities

    • They are equally responsible for raising their children

• Instead of only the man going out to work, it is much more common for the woman to go out to work as well, and to continue working after they have a family

• An increasing number of men are taking the lead in raising their children as a stay-at-home parent or “house husband” while their wives or partners go to work

• UK law is changing to reflect the changing roles of men and women

  • In 2015, it became possible for men and women to share parental leave, rather than it automatically being for the mother