Ethnic Differences In The Family

• •Migration to the UK since the 1950s has led to increased ethnic and cultural diversity in the UK. This has impacted on family patterns too.•Be careful about making sweeping generalisations; of course there is a great deal of diversity in ethnic minority groups, just as there is in the rest of the population.•However, there are some overall trends which are distinctive compared to the white British population.
• Larger family sizes than British average

  • Bangladeshi households= 4.4 people
  • Pakistani households = 4.3 people
  • Indian= 3 people
  • White British=2.4 people
• British Asian Families

  • Sometimes contain three generations
  • Mostly nuclear rather than extended
• Greater emphasis placed on extended family in Asian cultures


  Especially as migrants relied on each other for practical and emotional support after moving
• Younger age structure of this population


  They are more likely to have children living at home, rather than grown up children who have moved out
• Black African people have a higher proportion of lone-parent households compared to British White and Asian families
• Matrifocal

  Females tend to 'head the house'
• Slavery

  Contributes to the matrifocal pattern, as children would be sold with their mothers
• Higher rates of poverty and unemployment in black communities


  May contribute to higher rates of family breakdown, as men may be less able to provide for their families
• Independence

  Lone parent families reflect the high value black women place on independence
• Living apart together

  Many apparent 'lone' parents are actually in stable, supportive but non-cohabiting relationships