Summary Parsons argued that the industrial revolution brought about 4
fundamental changes to the family.
Other changes caused by industrialisation include: 1. Industrialisation required a more geographically mobile workforce.
Birth rates decreased = smaller Nuclear families were formed as people moved away from their extended kin in the
families/less children countryside in order to take advantage of the job opportunities in towns.
2. The nuclear family unit which developed became ‘isolated’ from kin.
Death rates decreased / life expectancy
The modified Less contact meant they therefore became less reliant on them for economic and
has increased = more beanpole/more social supports.
extended family burden on families to care for elderly
3. Structural Differentiation
Immigration - More Parsons believed that ‘structural differentiation’ resulted in the family becoming more
A number of sociologists argue the ties diversity; some big streamlined and effective, with specialised agencies taking over many of its functions.
that bind nuclear family members and extended families/some The state eventually took over the functions of education, health and welfare
extended kin are not as strong as though
lone parents
in the traditional extended family.
4. The nuclear family provided husbands and wives with clear
The ‘modified extended family’ is now instead where members social roles.
come together for important family events and provide support in times The husband is responsible for the economic welfare of the family and
of need. protection.
Improved communications, such as email, telephones, cars and air The wife is primarily responsible for the socialisation of children and the
emotional care and support of the family.
travel, mean that contact over long distances is easier than before. Family -
Industrialisation
Willmott and Young - Symmetrical Family now the new (2) Willmott and Young disagreed…
dominant family type
Willmott and Young argued that extended family do not have to
They found the new dominant family was the symmetrical family - this type share the same household.
of family first developed in the middle class. By the 1970s, it had spread to As long as its members are in regular contact and share services
the working class. It had 3 main characteristics:
such as caring for children and elderly relatives, they found that the
1. It is nuclear extended family still very much existed.
2. It is home centred and privatised. Family
life is focused on the home. Husband and
wife look to each other for companionship. However, new housing areas started to be
Leisure is home-based e.g. watching TV. developed in the countryside surrounding the
(The family is self-contained; little contact cities (the suburbs), and this encouraged couples
with wider family) with children to move out of the cities into these
areas (due to there being more parks, etc.)
3. It is symmetrical – the roles of husband
and wife are increasingly similar. Although
wives are still mainly responsible for
childcare, husbands play a greater part in
domestic life.
fundamental changes to the family.
Other changes caused by industrialisation include: 1. Industrialisation required a more geographically mobile workforce.
Birth rates decreased = smaller Nuclear families were formed as people moved away from their extended kin in the
families/less children countryside in order to take advantage of the job opportunities in towns.
2. The nuclear family unit which developed became ‘isolated’ from kin.
Death rates decreased / life expectancy
The modified Less contact meant they therefore became less reliant on them for economic and
has increased = more beanpole/more social supports.
extended family burden on families to care for elderly
3. Structural Differentiation
Immigration - More Parsons believed that ‘structural differentiation’ resulted in the family becoming more
A number of sociologists argue the ties diversity; some big streamlined and effective, with specialised agencies taking over many of its functions.
that bind nuclear family members and extended families/some The state eventually took over the functions of education, health and welfare
extended kin are not as strong as though
lone parents
in the traditional extended family.
4. The nuclear family provided husbands and wives with clear
The ‘modified extended family’ is now instead where members social roles.
come together for important family events and provide support in times The husband is responsible for the economic welfare of the family and
of need. protection.
Improved communications, such as email, telephones, cars and air The wife is primarily responsible for the socialisation of children and the
emotional care and support of the family.
travel, mean that contact over long distances is easier than before. Family -
Industrialisation
Willmott and Young - Symmetrical Family now the new (2) Willmott and Young disagreed…
dominant family type
Willmott and Young argued that extended family do not have to
They found the new dominant family was the symmetrical family - this type share the same household.
of family first developed in the middle class. By the 1970s, it had spread to As long as its members are in regular contact and share services
the working class. It had 3 main characteristics:
such as caring for children and elderly relatives, they found that the
1. It is nuclear extended family still very much existed.
2. It is home centred and privatised. Family
life is focused on the home. Husband and
wife look to each other for companionship. However, new housing areas started to be
Leisure is home-based e.g. watching TV. developed in the countryside surrounding the
(The family is self-contained; little contact cities (the suburbs), and this encouraged couples
with wider family) with children to move out of the cities into these
areas (due to there being more parks, etc.)
3. It is symmetrical – the roles of husband
and wife are increasingly similar. Although
wives are still mainly responsible for
childcare, husbands play a greater part in
domestic life.
