Contemporary British
Culture and Society
Chapter 3 Family & Relationship ( 2 )
Sept 2005
Xiao Huiyun
A 1 Husbands & Wives
? Redefinition and adjustment of
both husband?s and wife?s needs
and values in contemporary British
society.
? The effects of newly-emerging
work patterns upon the roles of
husbands and wives within the
family
A 1 Husband and Wives
cont.
? Decision Making
? Despite the fact that the majority of British
families now have two,bread-winners”,despite
the fact that more women than ever before are
working full-time,it is still women who are more
likely than not to be largely responsible for
things such as cooking,cleaning,ironing and
childcaring,This unequal division of household
duties may largely reflect the pervasive power of
the traditional division of labour within
households and families in Britain as elsewhere
in the world,( see p.43 for graph )
A 2 Parents and Children
? The,generation gap” has become the
challenge of parenthood in a changing
context,especially with respect to parent-
child relations
? A widely-recognized social phenomenon
and we examine what its significance
might be for individuals in Britain today.
A 2 Parents and Children
cont.
? Not all British teenagers are rebellious,or regard
family as a sort of prison! Although there is evidence
that at least some of the young people in Britain
would prefer to get away from the home and parental
supervision,especially the boys,the home
nevertheless represents an important base of safety
and security from which the young are able to
explore the world outside,It is also a place where
young people can indulge in some of their favourite
pastimes,such as listening to music,watching
television and,to a lesser extent,reading,Some
socialising with peer group members also take place
within a home environment.
A 2 Parents and Children
Chinese vs British
? Chinese parents are more protective and
controlling,
? The main qualities appreciated in parents and
shared by young people in Britain and China
alike may be that they are understanding and
supporting in crises,allow freedom of action
within a framework of constraints and,more
pragmatically,offer financial support and
contributions,For many young people,parents
are obviously a primary source of advice about
personal as well as more general problems,
especially in relation to employment
A 3 Old Age
? Britain has an ageing population,Due to the low
birth rate and a declining death rate,the
proportion of old people in the population is
increasing,For most people in Britain,their years
in retirement will form from a fifth to a third of their
adult life.
? Many old people like to remain in their own homes
and are very reluctant to move from homes that
they have lived in for most of their lives,and which
are full of family memories.
A 3 Old Age cont
? Others live with their family,sometimes with one
room given to them as a ?granny flat?,This provides
some privacy for both themselves and their family
whilst at the same time ensuring that help is at hand
if required.
? Day Centres,As many old people live alone,a place
for meeting others is particularly important,A day
centre provides a place to eat,keep warm or chat
during the day if old people have no other
arrangement
A 3 Old Age cont.
? These are often organised by voluntary
organisations and churches,Old people can
meet together,play bingo?,do craft work,
drink tea and talk
? Old People?s Clubs,Pensioners clubs
provide another way for old people to avoid
isolation..
? Besides daily activities sometimes day trips
may be organised for members,to the
seaside or to a see a show,
The 1998 Government Green Paper
on Families
? In this paper the government outlined how
it wanted to strengthen the family,The
focus of the paper was on marriage and
care for children
? The evidence is that children are best
brought up where you have two natural
parents and it is more likely to be a stable
family if they are married,(Guardian,5
November 1998,p,4)
Culture and Society
Chapter 3 Family & Relationship ( 2 )
Sept 2005
Xiao Huiyun
A 1 Husbands & Wives
? Redefinition and adjustment of
both husband?s and wife?s needs
and values in contemporary British
society.
? The effects of newly-emerging
work patterns upon the roles of
husbands and wives within the
family
A 1 Husband and Wives
cont.
? Decision Making
? Despite the fact that the majority of British
families now have two,bread-winners”,despite
the fact that more women than ever before are
working full-time,it is still women who are more
likely than not to be largely responsible for
things such as cooking,cleaning,ironing and
childcaring,This unequal division of household
duties may largely reflect the pervasive power of
the traditional division of labour within
households and families in Britain as elsewhere
in the world,( see p.43 for graph )
A 2 Parents and Children
? The,generation gap” has become the
challenge of parenthood in a changing
context,especially with respect to parent-
child relations
? A widely-recognized social phenomenon
and we examine what its significance
might be for individuals in Britain today.
A 2 Parents and Children
cont.
? Not all British teenagers are rebellious,or regard
family as a sort of prison! Although there is evidence
that at least some of the young people in Britain
would prefer to get away from the home and parental
supervision,especially the boys,the home
nevertheless represents an important base of safety
and security from which the young are able to
explore the world outside,It is also a place where
young people can indulge in some of their favourite
pastimes,such as listening to music,watching
television and,to a lesser extent,reading,Some
socialising with peer group members also take place
within a home environment.
A 2 Parents and Children
Chinese vs British
? Chinese parents are more protective and
controlling,
? The main qualities appreciated in parents and
shared by young people in Britain and China
alike may be that they are understanding and
supporting in crises,allow freedom of action
within a framework of constraints and,more
pragmatically,offer financial support and
contributions,For many young people,parents
are obviously a primary source of advice about
personal as well as more general problems,
especially in relation to employment
A 3 Old Age
? Britain has an ageing population,Due to the low
birth rate and a declining death rate,the
proportion of old people in the population is
increasing,For most people in Britain,their years
in retirement will form from a fifth to a third of their
adult life.
? Many old people like to remain in their own homes
and are very reluctant to move from homes that
they have lived in for most of their lives,and which
are full of family memories.
A 3 Old Age cont
? Others live with their family,sometimes with one
room given to them as a ?granny flat?,This provides
some privacy for both themselves and their family
whilst at the same time ensuring that help is at hand
if required.
? Day Centres,As many old people live alone,a place
for meeting others is particularly important,A day
centre provides a place to eat,keep warm or chat
during the day if old people have no other
arrangement
A 3 Old Age cont.
? These are often organised by voluntary
organisations and churches,Old people can
meet together,play bingo?,do craft work,
drink tea and talk
? Old People?s Clubs,Pensioners clubs
provide another way for old people to avoid
isolation..
? Besides daily activities sometimes day trips
may be organised for members,to the
seaside or to a see a show,
The 1998 Government Green Paper
on Families
? In this paper the government outlined how
it wanted to strengthen the family,The
focus of the paper was on marriage and
care for children
? The evidence is that children are best
brought up where you have two natural
parents and it is more likely to be a stable
family if they are married,(Guardian,5
November 1998,p,4)
