Families

• How is a household defined in sociology?

  A household is defined as a person living alone or a group of people living together at the same address who share facilities.
• What must members of a household do to be considered as such?

  Members of a household must share facilities such as living area, bills, meals, and housework.
• How is a family defined in sociology?

  A family is defined as a group of people who are related through kinship, which includes blood, marriage/civil partnership, or adoption.
• Why is it difficult to define a family?

  It is difficult to define a family because sociologists have different ideas on what constitutes a family.
• What is a nuclear family?

  A nuclear family features two generations: a married, opposite sex couple and their dependent child/children.
• What does the term "cereal packet" refer to in the context of family types?

  The term "cereal packet" refers to the image that most people hold of a family in the media, representing normal and natural family types.
• What characterizes a lone parent family?

  A lone parent family is characterized by one parent bringing up one or more children.
• What is a reconstituted family?

  A reconstituted family is formed by the joining of two families after one or both parents have departed from their previous families.
• What defines a same-sex family?

  A same-sex family is made up of a same-sex couple with or without children.
• What is a vertically extended family?

  A vertically extended family includes extended family members, such as grandparents.
• What is a horizontally extended family?

  A horizontally extended family includes extended family members, such as aunties and uncles.
• What does cohabitation mean?

  Cohabitation refers to partners who live together but aren’t married.
• What is an empty nest family?


  An empty nest family is a household where a couple's children have left the family home.
• What is an empty shell family?


  An empty shell family is a family or couple where there is no intimate or emotional connection, but they remain living together.
• What defines a single person household?

  A single person household is defined as one person living independently.
• What is a matriarchal or focal family?

  A matriarchal or focal family is headed by a female who takes the lead in the family, such as making decisions.
• What is a patriarchal family?

  A patriarchal family is headed by a male who takes the lead in the family, such as making decisions.
• What is a boomerang family?

  A boomerang family is one where children leave home and then return back at a later stage.
• What is a beanpole family?

  A beanpole family is made up of many generations but has few extended members.
• What is the definition of divorce?

  Divorce is the legal termination of a marriage.
• What are some alternatives to divorce for unhappy couples?

  Alternatives include dissertation, legal separation, and empty shell marriage.
• What is dissertation in the context of marriage?

  Dissertation is when one partner leaves the other, but they remain legally married.
• What is legal separation?

  Legal separation is when a court separates the financial and legal affairs of the couple but they remain legally married.
• What characterizes an empty shell marriage?

  An empty shell marriage is when the couple continues to live under the same roof but remain married in name only.
• How has the number of divorces in the United Kingdom changed since the 1960s?

  There has been a great increase in the number of divorces in the United Kingdom since the 1960s.
• Why was divorce difficult to obtain in 19th century England, especially for women?

  Divorce was difficult due to strict laws and societal stigma surrounding divorce.
• What were the three kinds of changes in divorce law mentioned?

  The three changes were the Matrimonial Causes Act 1923, the Matrimonial Causes Act 1937, and the Divorce Reform Act 1969.
• What did the Matrimonial Causes Act of 1923 allow?

  The Matrimonial Causes Act of 1923 allowed either partner to petition for divorce on the grounds of adultery.
• What additional grounds for divorce were established by the Matrimonial Causes Act of 1937?

  The grounds included cruelty, desertion, and incurable insanity.
• What significant change did the Divorce Reform Act of 1969 introduce?

  The Divorce Reform Act of 1969 added irretrievable breakdowns as grounds for divorce.
• How did the Divorce Reform Act of 1969 affect the divorce rate?

  It doubled the divorce rate.
• What was the purpose of legal aid introduced in 1949?

  Legal aid enabled people who were struggling financially to get a divorce.
• What are the changing attitudes towards divorce in society?

  • Decline in stigma associated with divorce
  • Increased acceptance of divorce as a solution to unhappy marriages
  • Changing perceptions of marriage and relationships
• What is a cultural phenomenon related to divorce that has emerged recently?

  • Hilarious Divorce Cakes that celebrate being single again