“Critically assess the position of the family in the 21st century. To what extent can it be demonstrated that the political, social, economic, moral and legal developments which have been happening has had a fundamental impact upon the changing facade of the family?”

Introduction

We are required to critically assess the position of the family in the 21st century. In order to do so we have to examine the concept of family and how it has changed based on the political, social, economic, moral and legal developments.

Definition of Family

i) Traditional

We first have to understand what is meant by family. Traditionally, many would say that a fami-ly constitutes a father, mother and children. This envisages a marriage. However, in todays society this is clearly not the case as there is no longer one form of family.

ii) Evolution of the definition of family

Munby has explained the demographic changes of a family very simply by stating that there are four major developments which are:’…’

Marriage

In the 21st century we can see that a family can no longer be simply defined its now more complex due to the fact that there h…(short extract)