Social Changes and Family Relationships – GCSE Sociology WJEC Revision

Section 1: Understanding Family Structures

Family structures refer to how a family is organised, including the number and types of adults and children involved.
Traditional nuclear families consist of two parents and their children.
Single parent families, stepfamilies, and extended families are all examples of non-traditional family structures that have become more common as society has changed.

Section 2: Changes in Marriage and Divorce

There has been a decline in marriage rates and an increase in cohabitation, which suggests changing attitudes towards the necessity of formal marriage.
The increasing divorce rate may be due to various factors including changes in law, decreasing stigma, and changing attitudes towards marriage.
Remarriage rates have also increased, leading to a rising number of blended or stepfamilies.

Section 3: Social Changes and Their Impact on Families

Increasing gender equality has impacted family structures, with more women in employment leading to changes in domestic roles.
Advances in technology and social media have altered the ways in which family members communicate and interact.
Changes in societal attitudes towards sexuality and gender have increased the visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ families.

Section 4: The Role and Influence of State Policies

Decisions made by the government, such as laws and policies, can also influence family structures and relationships (e.g., legislation relating to marriage, divorce, child welfare, etc.)
Examples include the introduction of same-sex marriage, changes in child custody laws, public assistance policies, or policies encouraging parental leave.
These changes often reflect the evolution of societal attitudes and values.

Section 5: Studying Family Relationships

Sociologists examine family relationships to understand patterns of behaviour and how societal changes influence them.
These studies include looking at differences in parental and child roles, power dynamics, and the impact of external factors like work or school.
Important sociological perspectives you should understand include functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.

Remember to consider how societal changes might impact different kinds of families differently. For example, changes in employment law might have a different impact on single parent families compared to nuclear families. By understanding the different factors that influence families, you gain deeper understanding into the complex nature of familial relationships and structures.