Do Changing Family Characteristics and Forms Suggest the Death of the Family?

The definition of family according to the Oxford dictionary is a group consisting of two parents and their children living together as a unit (Oxford, 2011). However, a family is whatever an individual defines it to be. The essay will firstly explain and clarify what a family is. Secondly, facts will be presented on the change of the family structure in accordance with Australia's history. Thirdly, the essay will argue whether 'the death of the family' is a valid statement. Finally, this essay will explain how the evolving family form affects children in relation to crime. The essay concludes that although the characteristics of a family have changed over time, this does not mean that the concept of family is dying.

Family, an everyday word that so many know, but very few understand. Family is the most basic social unit in the world today. A family portrays a structured social group usually consisting of one or two parents and their children , with each member related through either blood, marriage or adoption (What Is Family?, 2011). However, this is a stereotypical and inappropriate way to measure and examine a true family as there is no single understanding of what a family actually is. Its definition varies across many groups of people. It is not a formula that can be used for every equation, each time an adaptation is given to each unique circumstance. Based upon the relationship between the parents and children, sociologists have recognise several different family structures. The first is the 'nuclear' or 'traditional' family. This consists of a married adult male and female with mutually conceived dependants living under one roof and there is only ever two generations. The marriage is based on affection and they are faithful to one another (Bessant & Watts, 2007). The nuclear family is the blue print for the perfect family and therefore, the most idealistic. The next structure is the blended family and this can be divided into two subgroups. The first is where one or both adults have children from a previous relationship and brought them into a new family environment; introducing the step parents, children and siblings (Blended Family Resource and Support, 2011). The second is when children share only one parent but not the other and are called half-brothers and -sisters (What Is Family?, 2011). The remaining family forms are sole-parents, childless couples, single persons and gay and lesbian couples (Bessant & Watts, 2007).

The family form is under constant pressure to evolve and shift over time. This evolution of family began with important culture shifts (Coontz, 2005). Looking back before white settlement of Australia in 1788, Aboriginals lived in complex kinships made up of multiple generations. These unique kinships were over turned by colonisation. With the changes taking place in the nation (i.e. convicts, wars, depressions and the gold-rushes), family life