Changing Patterns

If someone from the mid-20th century was transported to contemporary times, possibly one of the first and biggest things they would notice about society is the change in family structures.

In less than a hundred years, our conception of what constitutes 'family' and the composition of our households have shifted considerably (at least in Western societies). Naturally, sociologists are very intrigued by this.

• In this explanation, we will briefly explore changing family patterns in sociology, including marriage, divorce, child-bearing, lone parenthood and LAT relationships.
• We will then look at the factors and causes of changing family patterns.
• We will also cover the nature of changing patterns and family diversity.
• Finally, we'll study the perspectives of the sociology of personal life.

Changing family patterns in sociology

Family life and the structures of households have shifted and evolved considerably, some of which you may have noticed or experienced yourself. Let's examine some of the major trends and patterns in this, as well as sociological perspectives on them.

Examples of changing family patterns in sociology

In this section, we will be looking at examples of changing family patterns in sociology, including trends in:

• marriage

• divorce

• child-bearing,

• lone parenthood,

• and LAT relationships.

Changing patterns in marriage

Marriage refers to the legal union of two individuals that comes with state benefits, rights, and regulations. Let's study how this institution, once considered the only means of achieving social, economic, and personal stability in adulthood, has declined over the years.

Examples of changing trends in marriage

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS)¹:

• Overall, the number of marriages in Western countries has steadily declined since the 1970s.

• In 2019, marriage rates for heterosexual couples in the UK dropped to their lowest since 1862!

• Less than one in five (18.7%) marriages between opposite sexes were religious ceremonies in 2019, down from 21.1% in 2018 and the lowest proportion ever.

• Marriage rates for same-sex couples have remained fairly steady since same-sex marriage was introduced.

• Since 1999, the average age of marriage for men has increased by 8.5%, while that of women has increased by 9.9%. (31.6 years for men and 29.4 years for women).

Sociological perspectives on changing patterns of marriage

Feminists view traditional, heterosexual marriage as oppressive for women, and view the declining rates of marriage and later-in-life marriages favourably. Postmodernist theorists and sociology of personal life theorists also view these phenomena positively, believing that marriage and romantic, monogamous relationships are not everything and that people have other aspirations in life.

However, functionalists and New Right thinkers view marriage and the nuclear family as essential building blocks of society, and argue that changing trends in marriage are causing social and moral decline.

Fig. 1 - Sociologists have differing perspectives on the declining rates of marriage.

Changing patterns in divorce

Divorce is infamously common. How do we know this?

Examples of changing patterns of divorce

The ONS² shows that:

• There was an 18.4% increase in opposite-sex couple divorces in 2019, compared to 2018. This decreased slightly in 2020 (but this has been attributed to COVID-19).
• The vast majority of divorces - 98.9% - occur among opposite-sex couples.
• However, same-sex couple divorce rates are increasing rapidly - nearly twice as high in 2019 as in 2018, and over 40% higher in 2020 as compared to 2019.

Sociological views on the changing patterns of divorce

Since feminists generally believe marriage is patriarchal and built on women's exploitation, in their eyes, divorce can therefore be a means of escape and liberation.

Postmodernists argue that divorce is now common due to increasing individualism and people having more freedom to pursue their own happiness. Similarly, sociologists of personal life assert that divorce is more viable since people have other sources of love and happiness in their lives, e.g. friendships.

Some functionalists argue that the family no longer carries out the function it once did in society. That is why it is easier for people to leave marriages. Members of the New Right claim that rising divorce rates are the consequence of the decline of the nuclear family, a culture of welfare dependency, and the single-parent 'underclass'.

Changing patterns in child-bearing

Lower rates of marriage and higher rates of divorce point to a fundamental change in our priorities and lifestyles concerning the family. One significant aspect of this has been the shift in attitudes to having children.

Examples of changing rates of child-bearing over time

The rates of child-bearing can be measured by the total number of live births of children and the fertility rate. The ONS³ reports that child-bearing in the UK has been falling.

• Live births in England and Wales have decreased for five years in a row. The number in 2020 - 613,936 - is the lowest since 2002.
• The total fertility rate also reached a record low (since 1938!) of 1.58 children per woman in 2020.

Fig. 2 - There are many factors behind the choice to delay or forgo having children or having fewer children.

Changing patterns in lone parenthood

Unlike single-parenthood, lone-parenthood is defined as a one-parent family with dependent children arising from the breakdown of a nuclear family.

Social groups, structures, and lone parenthood

How does lone parenthood vary by social groups? How do social structures and norms impact them?

• Although lone-father households are increasing, most lone-parent families consist of single mothers and children. The New Right is infamously against this.

• Social class background can greatly impact the experiences of both lone parents and their children. Lone-parent families are generally likely to come from working-class backgrounds.

• The highest percentage of lone parents is found in the UK's Black communities. However, since Black ethnic groups are still a minority, most lone-parent families are white.

• Lone parenthood is more accepted in society nowadays, but lone parents often enter partnerships again because the nuclear family is still idealised.

• There are several welfare policies in place in the UK to alleviate some of the worst effects of poverty for lone-parent families, though these are rarely enough.

Sociological perspectives on lone parenthood

While functionalist theorists believe lone-parent households should be supported, they still believe that the nuclear family structure best fulfils the functions of the family. The New Right holds a more extreme view, particularly of lone mother households, arguing that they are insufficient as they are devoid of a 'male influence'.

As previously explored, feminists criticise the nuclear family and generally argue that lone-parent families can be preferable if they give women more freedom and happiness.

The individualist ideology of postmodernism believes that lone-parent families can be just as suitable and legitimate as other family types. Personal life theorists agree and focus on the experiences and relationships of lone parents.

Changing patterns in LAT relationships

'Living apart together' or LAT relationships refer to committed relationships where the partners do not live together. They have become increasingly commonplace as people attempt to balance romantic connections, family, and other commitments, e.g. work.

Factors affecting changing family patterns

Sociologists have put forward multiple factors that may have led to the changes in family and household patterns we explored above.

Economic factors, changes in the labour market, and family patterns

Recessions and rising costs of living mean that weddings and the costs of maintaining traditional nuclear families, especially raising children, are becoming increasingly expensive. This may deter people from marrying, having multiple children at young ages, or having any children at all.

Also, LAT relationships are now more commonplace because people increasingly have to relocate to different places due to economic uncertainty and job opportunities elsewhere. In the process, they maintain relationships.

Changing gender roles, increasing opportunities for women, and family patterns

In modern times, women are better educated, more financially independent, and more career-focused. This means they no longer need to rely on marriage for social and financial security and can choose to have no children, fewer children, or become parents later in life.

Secularisation, changing social norms, and family patterns

The declining influence of religious mandates means that people feel less compelled to get married or have lots of (or any) children. As with marriage, child-bearing is no longer seen as a woman's primary purpose and women can choose not to become mothers.

Also, sex and sexual relationships are now valued outside of procreation. The prevalence of effective, safe, and accessible contraception and abortion means that there are fewer unwanted pregnancies. People can plan the size of their families, leading to declining rates of childbirth.

Social policy and family patterns

Newly introduced legislation, such as the Divorce Reform Act of 1969, has made it easier and quicker to obtain divorces, particularly by women. There are also laws that legitimise relationships outside of marriage, such as civil partnerships.

Individualism and family patterns

People are now more focused on making the right choices for themselves, including finding the right partner, choosing when and whether to marry and procreate, whether they want to stay in stagnating marriages, live together or apart, etc.

The advent of modern technology and family patterns

Widely available and accessible technology means that it is possible to maintain close and regular contact with long-distance partners, through the use of instant messaging, video calls and so on.

Changing patterns and family diversity

Family life in Western society is incredibly multifaceted and diverse, consisting of households of all backgrounds and formations. Sociologists are very interested in how this shapes society today.

Causes of changing family patterns: How are families more diverse now?

According to the Rapoports (1982), families in the West are incredibly diverse in many respects, now more than at any recent point in history. There is:

• Organisational diversity
• Class diversity
• Age diversity
• Ethnic and cultural diversity
• Sexual and gender diversity
• Life cycle diversity

Families differ in structure and composition. Family life also varies by class background, ages, and generations, culturally specific dynamics, the inclusion of LGBT+ families, and through different phases of life.

Examples of different family and household types in society

• Nuclear families

• Reconstituted families

• Cohabiting families

• Lone-parent families

• LAT families

• Single-person households

Sociological perspectives on family diversity

Feminists support family diversity and believe that it leads to more equitable and balanced families. Postmodernists also believe family diversity is beneficial as it helps the personal fulfilment and happiness of individuals. The political party and era of New Labour viewed family diversity favourably, enacting legislation to aid families such as those with same-sex partners.

While functionalists do not oppose family diversity in itself, this is on the condition that the family carries out its designated functions. However, the New Right believes that only the conventional nuclear family can properly socialise and raise children, considering diverse families detrimental.

Sociologists of personal life study individual experiences of family diversity, often criticising the biases of research that only studies white and affluent families.