This document discusses how the family has changed through social change and industrialization. It defines the family as a group of people related by kinship or close ties who care for children. Traditionally, families were large and arranged based on economic needs, but industrialization separated families as people moved for work. Now, families take various forms and marriage is based more on emotions than economic factors. The government now plays a larger role in family life from education to social services. As society modernized, families changed from extended to nuclear units and now include diverse structures.

1. Social change as shown
through the family

2. Today’s class
• Lecture on social change and how this has impacted on the family
• Activity
• Time to discuss the group presentations

3. Defining the family
Jary and Jary (1996)
“A group of people, related by kinship or similar close ties, in which
the adults assume responsibility for the care and upbringing of their
natural or adopted children”.
The Official of National Statistic (2011):
“A family is a married, civil partnered or cohabiting couple with or
without children, or a lone parent with at least one child who live at
the same address. Children may be dependent or non-dependent’’.

4. Key concepts
Kin- Relatives based on blood or paper.
Household- One or more persons living together (families and households are not
interchangeable terms).
Cohabitation- A couple who live together but are not married.
Nuclear family- A family that includes an adult male and female with one or more
children (including adopted children).
Extended family- a family containing relatives in addition to the nuclear family.
Reconstituted (blended) family- A family formed by people who may have children
from previous relationships.

5. Some sociological thoughts on the family….
• Ideology and the family
• The social construction of the family
• The family and power
• Social functions of the family
• Structure and agency

6. Pre-industrial family
• Marriages arrange based on social and economic benefits.
• Families tended to have lots of children, they were an economic
benefit, and because of high levels of infant mortality not many
would survive to adulthood.
• No considerable distinction between society and family
• Labour divided by age, sex and ability.
• The importance and obligations of kinship.
• Think about this time period in relation to Durkheim and mechanical
solidarity.

7. The industrial family
• The industrial revolution sees families and kinships separated as
people move to the city for work.
• Labour becomes divided by sex, with women taking on more
domestic roles and network roles.
• Children move from being a economic benefit to a bust over this
period. Infant mortality remains high.
• Marriage becomes less about social and economic benefits.

8. The post war family
• As men return from WW2, women encouraged back into the home
after the war effort. This is met with some resistance.
• Children must attend school until the ages of 13, then 15 and now
must be in education until 18 years old.
• Creation of social security net, the NHS, importance of the Beveridge
report. Involvement of government in family life ‘from cradle to the
grave’.
• Marriage and children are valued for their emotional benefits, with
arranged marriages becoming a thing of the past and couples having
less children.

9. Social and political events that helped facilitate
change
1844 onwards-Legislation on child Labour.
1880- Education Act.
1928- Universal suffrage.
1960s- The pill/ the sexual revolution.
1967- Abortion Act
1967- Sexual Offenses Act
1969- Divorce Reform Act
1970- Equal Pay Act

10. Activity
In groups I would like you to discuss society without the family, think
about and note down answers to the following questions. Be ready to
feedback to the group.
• How would the basic needs of people in that society addressed?
• How would the children be cared for, how would training and values
be instilled?
• Who would fulfill the child’s needs for love and care?
• How would parents meet the needs of their growing children?
• What type of adults would this society create?

11. In summary
• This is not happening in a vacuum!
• The family, like society is constantly changing.
• As we move to modern society more governmental involvement in
family life.
• Family becomes less about social and economic gain and based on
love and emotions.
• Families can take many forms.
• As sociologists we approach family from a critical perspective and ask
questions of it.

12. Assessment
• You will be assessed by group presentation.
• Please assemble into groups of 3 or 4 and work together to produce
presentation content.
• Assessments will take place in week 8.
• This assessment is worth 40% of your grade.

13. Group Assessment
Choose a social theorist and give a presentation on their theory of one
social institution. For example, Marx’s theory on education. You will be
expected to explain what their theory is, apply it to real life situations,
relate it to a key sociological study and illustrate the pros and cons of
the theory.

14. Structure
No set structure to presentations,do what you think is appropriate but
you need to include the following information;
• Overview of their theory of the chosen social institution
• Criticisms
• Benefits
• Examples from theory
• Acknowledgement of key texts.

15. In order to get a good grade you need to…
• Use sociological terms correctly.
• Convince me you have an understanding of the social theory and the social institution you are presenting on.
• Do NOT just state everything you know about the theory or institution, use your judgement to include only
relevant information.
• Draw on appropriate resources.
• Work well as a group
• Provide at least 3 powerpoint slides
• Present for 5 minutes