Different Family Forms in the UK & in a Global Context
Monogamy & Serial Monogamy: While standard monogamy involves one partner for life, serial monogamy—common in the UK—describes a pattern of multiple marriages and divorces over a lifetime, where an individual has only one legal spouse at a time.
Polygamy: This is the practice of having multiple spouses simultaneously. It is divided into Polygyny (one man with multiple wives) and Polyandry (one woman with multiple husbands, found in some Tibetan and Nepali communities).
Arranged Marriage: Unlike forced marriage, which is illegal, arranged marriage is a culturally accepted practice based on the consent of both parties, where family members assist in selecting a suitable partner.
Impact of Migration: Britain's history of migration (from 19th-century Irish groups to post-WW2 Commonwealth arrivals) has led to a highly diverse society with varying family traditions.
African-Caribbean Patterns: Research indicates a higher proportion of lone-parent families in this community, often supported by strong female-led kinship networks.
Asian Heritage Families: Families of Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage frequently maintain extended or vertically extended (beanpole) structures, where multiple generations provide mutual economic and emotional support.
| Feature | Arranged Marriage | Forced Marriage |
|---|---|---|
| Consent | Both partners agree freely | One or both parties coerced |
| Legal Status | Legal and culturally respected | Illegal in the UK |
| Initiation | Family suggests or introduces | Family mandates the union |
Bigamy vs. Polygamy: Bigamy is the specific legal crime in the UK of entering a second marriage while still legally married to another. Polygamy is the general social practice of multiple spouses, which is legal in some other nations.
Nuclear vs. Extended: The nuclear family consists of two generations (parents and children), whereas the extended family includes three or more generations or additional relatives like aunts and cousins.
Avoid Generalizations: When discussing 'the Asian family' or 'the Black family,' always acknowledge that social class, religion, and individual choice create significant variations within ethnic groups.
Link to Functionalism: Be prepared to discuss whether diverse family forms still meet Murdock's four essential functions (sexual, reproductive, economic, and educational).
Critical Terminology: Ensure you can clearly define the difference between polygyny and polyandry, as these are common marks lost in multiple-choice or short-answer sections.
Command Words: If an exam question asks you to 'describe' a form, focus on the structure. If it asks you to 'explain diversity,' focus on the reasons for the change, such as migration or legal shifts.