ABSTRACT
In industrialised societies, forms or models of families are changing rapidly, but one form, the nuclear family, is generally portrayed by the media as normative because it is regarded as well adapted to the demands of modern societies. This chapter explores the diversity of family structures and some of the social and demographic changes that impact on family structure and type. Marriage remains popular in the United Kingdom, and it is considered together with an examination of the roles of women. The chapter includes a brief exploration of children's perceptions of families. The various sociological approaches with regard to the family are compared, and there is a particular focus on feminist perspectives, with their emphasis on women's experiences of oppression within the family. Social capital is essential for effective citizenship. Social institutions are a way of referring to particular social groupings that are common to the majority of people in society.
