-Parsons claimed that in pre-industrial Britain=extended family and after industrialisation=nuclear. Laslett carried out historical research into the structure of family life. Through his secondary data of parish records since the 16th century, a book was published called "Household and Family in Past Time". This book highlighted that in pre-industrial society, only 10% of the families were extended. Laslett suggests that short life expectancy meant that families did not get to be extended. In working class families, children were a burden and were sent away to work in service.
