ABSTRACT
This chapter includes a historiographical approach to the most relevant works related to the history of the family, the life cycle and social inequality. It also highlights the importance of the key concept of the family in order to understand the changes that have taken place in European society over time. Family diversity and the legislative changes made in recent decades allow us to address the importance of cultural and ideological changes in European society. The family is also explained as a space for sociability and the creation of relational networks through which people develop their life cycles. This evolution involves demographic changes, the evolution of family models and inequalities in the social and economic sphere. Finally, the challenges facing society in relation to gender inequality, the demographic crisis and poverty are discussed.
