Les changements dans les structures familiales

Changing Family Structures

The conventional family structure in France was historically a nuclear family with married parents and their children.
This structure was often extended to include grandparents living in the same household or nearby.
Marriage used to be the norm before cohabitating or having children.

In recent decades, there has been a shift towards diverse family forms.
Increasing rates of divorce and separation have led to a rise in single-parent families.
Remarriage and new relationships after divorce have resulted in the increase of blended or stepfamilies.
A significant rise in the number of unmarried couples cohabiting, often having children without being married: the unmarried cohabitation.
A gradual acceptance of same-sex relationships and marriages has led to the recognition and rise of same-sex families.

France has seen an overall decline in the birth rate, a common trend in many Western societies.
This trend impacts family structure, with many electing to have fewer children or even none at all (childfree families).
The ageing population has also influenced the structure of families, with many ‘sandwich generation’ families caring for their children and elderly parents.

The PACS law (Pacte Civil de Solidarité) of 1999 recognised cohabitation and gave almost the same legal status as marriage.
This law also permitted homosexual couples to formalise their relationships and gain legal recognitions.
However, it was not until 2013 that the same-sex marriage was legalised in France with the “Mariage pour tous” law.
These legislations have broadened the definition of family in French society.

Changes in the family structure have implications on social policies, including those regarding housing, taxation, childcare, and social security
It has also contributed to a greater diversity in lifestyles and societal norms.

France remains a predominantly Catholic country and this continues to influence attitudes towards family structures and morality.
Despite these changes, there is still a strong French societal emphasis on family life, often described as l’importance de la famille.