Has Anyone Seen the Average Fa
The purpose of this paper is to identify how the concept of family has changed over time. Certainly, the notion of family has become more liberated through the 'political, social, economic and cultural factors' pertaining to the diversity of the modern day family. These factors are expressed through the exploration of feminism and the vast fundamental changes this movement generated for the role in which women play in society.The ideology that women belong in families to nurture children and look after the home has been traditionally perpetuated in Australian society (Hughes 1994, p. 162). Previously, marriage was the only acceptable role for women and the alternative; spinsterhood, prostitution or work for low wages was viewed as socially unacceptable (Aspin 1994, p. 42). The dramatic increase in paid workforce participation of women has seen a major shift in the role that women play within society. Consequently, females entering the paid workforce can be seen to be the biggest factor that can be attributed to the change in family structure, size, member's roles and functions performed within the present day family unit. (Edgar, Earle & Fopp 1993, p. 303)Feminism, a political and social movement to empower women to take c
Large families were once considered an economic asset to their parents but are now viewed as a cost and having more than two (2) children an economic liability (Gunstone, Matthews, Roy & Watson 1996, p. The cumulative effect of this change on the family has been profound and influenced many long term changes. The distribution of wealth and income gives considerable concern to the economic inequalities in Australia (Bessant & Watts 1999, p. The changing nature of gender composition in the workforce and an increase in women's wages has become a more attractive option than childrearing and domestic duties. This movement officially began in Australia in 1969 and generated long term social changes such as equal pay, equal education, safe contraception and the establishment of childcare centers and safe houses for abused women (Gunstone, Matthews, Roy & Watson 1996, p. 4) suggests that the contraceptive revolution of the 1970's enabled women the control over how many children they have and when they have them. ontrol over their lives and situations, achieve economic independence, experience freedom and access higher education is supported by Sarantako's (1996, p. In conclusion, it can be noted that the trends evident in the Australian family structure, their forms and social values are fragmenting and reforming. 134 by adding that "the changes in attitudes to work, the availability of childcare centers, financial necessity and place of living" are all interrelated factors for the increase in paid workforce participation of women. This is supported by Aspin (1987, p. Thus, the change in the number of defacto couple and sole-parent families and acknowledgement of homosexual families would appear to reflect changing social expectations regarding relationships between men and women and accepted forms of family life.
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Acceptance Essays
