Family structures and roles Essay

We use the word determination today convey a function or part played in livelihood. As a member of a family or a work blot the purposes we d protest in life depend on the situation we atomic outlet 18 in at the time. I myself am a married wo worldly concern, a mother, a missy, a care assistant, a student and a friend. As you toilet curb I stool more a(prenominal) different places in my familiar sprightliness. The main piece in my life will be the role within my family unit. This project will tint at the roles of members in a family unit and how this has changed over the last 25-50 years.Nuclear familyThe roles within the nuclear family apply to be the father being the main provider and working dogged hours to support his family and the mother looked after the children and the nucleotide. Because workforce were the ones with the money they took charge indoors the family. This was considered the norm but over time changes came about when the wife began to freez e off the housewife role and demanded a greater say in last making in the home. They wanted to be considered equal to their husbands. Women began insisting men carried out tasks almost the home. This lead to husbands spending leisure time with family instead of spending time with his male companions down the pub after work, it resulted in close emotional bonds with his wife and children, he began to help with plate tasks and childcare.With the basis of the contraceptive pill in the 1960s women were fit to limit the number of children they had and gave them the freedom to obtain paid employment. A marri develop immediately became a partnership with the husband and wife promptly sharing the routine of mundane life. Attitudes changed in society, it was now considered normal for husbands and wives to twain work and share household tasks and childcare.In todays society it is not unusual for the wife to be the main provider and the husband stay at home to keep house and look aft er the children. The term househusband is now tumesce known.thither are three different rolesJoint roles where couples work in concert in the house or garden.Complementary roles where couples helped one another a great deal(prenominal) as one may paint the other may paper. separate roles where couples have separate jobs to do, e.g. the wife does the ironing the husband mows the lawn.Extended familyThe role of members in the extended family did not vary greatly from those of the nuclear family. The daughter settled in close proximity to her mother and they saw from each one other on a daily basis. This gave the grandmother the opportunity of a supporting role in the upbringing and education of the child(ren). They were also if able to give financial support. The extended family members usually took on the role of caring for an elderly parent.A person is now expected to live swell into their 70th or 80th year, this means there has been a large growth in the number of three-gene ration families.Nursing homes and residential homes are now on the increase in todays society and the role of looking after a parent in their old age within the family unit has now decreased.The roles within the extended family have alter greatly due to women and men now having equal opportunities and twain firing out to work. The care of the child while the parents work is more a good deal than not canvasn on by a family member e.g. grandparent aunt or uncle. Whilst the local extended family takes on the role of childcare it is both the parents responsibility to take on the role of providing for their family.Reconstituted familyReconstituted families became more universal after the divorce reform act of 1971 was introduced making it easier to obtain divorce.The roles within the reconstituted families preserve be very difficult due to stepparents taking on their newfound role and children rebelling against the discipline given out by a stepparent.In reconstituted families bo th the man and the woman take on the role of the living expenses and nutriment costs of the home. Joint financing of the stepchildrens expenses is less common, it is much more common for the mother to receive financial help from the stepfather in order for her childrens expenses.Both parents along with household tasks usually take on the role of childcare and educator. Members of the extended reconstituted family also take on the childcare role when both parents work.One parent familyThe role of the unity parent can be a difficult one, as they have to take on the role of mother, father, carer, provider and educator. This itself can become a huge task oddly if there is no immediate family around to offer supportSingle parents have become more popular in todays society for a variety of reasons.thither are more women than men who take on the role of the unmarried parent but it is probably a harder role for a man to cope with. A mans role in life is seen to be male they define thems elves by their work role. Single fatherhood requires men to look at their priorities around work and family and so their role in life now becomes the sole provider for his child(ren).Partnership arrangementsThere are many types of families in todays society including gay and lesbian couples. The earthly concerns opinion of these couples has changed enormously over the last few years.The role of carer and educator within this type of family usually falls on both individuals. Benefit such as income support or working families revenue enhancement credit is paid to the cancel parent of the child and does not embroil the other persons income, as the law does not recognise them as a couple, therefore the main provider will probably be the natural parent but not in all cases.Cultural influencesThere are many people from many cultures settled in Britain today. beingness of a different cultural background has resulted in prejudice. Prejudice cool it exists today, and although there is d iscrimination out there, it is against the law and much harder to prove. Because of so many cultures in our lives we have seen many changes in society, namely the opening of shops, supermarkets, get food shops and restaurants. Many years ago it was unusual for families to eat orthogonal their home or the home of a family member, today take-away food and eating out is a part of every day life. We now have new tastes ranging from Chinese to Indian and Italian to Mexican.Why roles have changedMany changes have taken place over the years especially the roles within family life. The introduction of the pill made it easier for women to take control of their bodies resulting in fewer children being born. The influences that have changed the way we think the way we see the family and the roles we play are due to the media, television newspapers and magazines.Legislation has given us equal pay, equal opportunities for all and equal rights regardless of our class sexual practice or culture .Women can now own or rent their own home and are considered equal owners in the case of divorce.Women can now take out loans or credit agreements without their husband or fathers consent.wellness care has improved considerably over the years and screenings for womens problems has been compel into action.Overall life has become better for women today. They now have the identical rights as men and are considered an important part of our society today.