Different Family Forms in the UK & in a Global Context (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Sociology): Revision Note
Exam code: C200
How families differ in a global context
Cross-cultural studies show that different family types exist in different cultures
Kibbutzim
Originally, agricultural settlements set up by Jewish settlers in Palestine a century ago, now over 2% of Israel's population live in kibbutzim
A kibbutz is a group of people who live together communally and value equality between members
Children used to sleep separately from their parents and were looked after by a metaplet, but now children live with their biological parents up to age 15
Children born in the same year are raised and educated together
One-child family policy in China
Introduced in 1979, couples living in cities in China were legally allowed to have just one child
If they had a second, they could face fines, demotion or dismissal from work
In 2016, this controversial policy ended, and married couples in China could request government-issued birth permits for up to two children
Since 2021, married couples have now allowed to have up to three children
These changes are due to China's ageing population, so more young people are needed to provide the workforce of the future and to look after ageing relatives
How marriages differ globally
Forms of Marriage | Definition |
|---|---|
Monogamy | Being married to one person at a time; this is the accepted form of marriage in the UK. |
Serial monogamy | When a divorced person remarries, then divorces and remarries, and so on; therefore, marriage is not considered a lifelong commitment. |
Bigamy | Marrying a second person when already married to another, which is a criminal offence in the UK but legal in some parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia. |
Polygamy | When a person has multiple spouses at the same time, which is legal in some countries (such as Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Cameroon). |
Polygyny | When a man has two or more wives at the same time, which was acceptable in the Mormon religion until 1890. It is more prevalent in Africa than on any other continent. |
Polyandry | When a woman has more than one husband at the same time. It is practised among Tibetans in rural areas of Nepal and parts of China. |
Arranged | Where parents or other family members choose a partner they believe will be suitable for their children. It is based on consent and the individual's right to choose whether to accept the partner. They are common in countries such as Bangladesh, China, India and Japan. |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Remember that all of these different families would still meet Murdock’s definition of a family, as they continue to perform all four essential functions — sexual, reproductive, economic, and educational.
Family forms and migration
Britain has a rich mix of cultural, ethnic and religious groups, making it a culturally diverse society
For example, there are over 300 languages spoken in London
Cultural diversity is due to migration
In the 19th century, migrants came from Ireland
After World War 2, there was migration from former colonies, e.g., India, Pakistan and parts of the Caribbean
Asylum seekers may move to another country to seek protection from persecution
Immigration takes place alongside emigration
Cultural diversity is associated with different patterns of family formation
Among those of African-Caribbean heritage, becoming a mother is not always associated with stopping full-time work
Among those of Asian heritage, there is still some emphasis on being a full-time mother
However, these patterns are changing among second-generation migrants
Extended families
In 2001, 10% of Bangladeshi and Pakistani homes in England and Wales had a vertically extended family with three or more generations living together or very nearby (i.e., children, parents and grandparents)
This contrasts with 3% of black Caribbean homes and 2% of white British and mixed households
According to Qureshi et al. (2015), British Asians are often seen as committed to traditional, old-fashioned family life with low rates of divorce and lone-parent families
However, this pattern is changing
Family relationships and ethnicity
Popular belief suggests that British Asian families are based on unequal, male-dominated relationships
This is challenged by sociologists who argue that this image of 'the Asian family' is based on prejudice
In reality, there are ethnic differences between people of Asian heritage in Britain according to their religion and social class
This makes it difficult to make generalisations about 'the Asian family'
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