Demographic Trends in UK | Impact of Globalisation on Family | A Level Sociology - Families

Summary

This video explores the impact of globalization on family life in the UK over the last 30 years. It highlights how increased migration, changing employment patterns, and greater ethnic diversity have reshaped family structures. The rise of dual-income households, the emergence of lone-person households due to student migration, and the development of global extended families are key trends. Sociologists argue that while globalization fosters new identities and connections, it also creates challenges, such as family isolation and the erosion of traditional extended family networks.

Takeaways

• 😀 Globalization has significantly impacted family structures in the UK, contributing to changes in migration patterns, employment, and family diversity.
• 🌍 Increased geographical mobility due to globalization has led to higher migration, with both UK residents moving abroad and immigrants arriving in the UK.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Globalization has influenced family dynamics by increasing family diversity, including different family types and changing household structures.
• 💼 The shift from manufacturing jobs to service industries in the UK has changed traditional gender roles, with more dual-earner families and greater female participation in the workforce.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Despite more women working, men still retain most of the economic power within families, and gender roles remain fixed in certain social classes.
• 🌏 Migration patterns have led to different family arrangements based on cultural backgrounds, such as a rise in lone-parent households among different ethnic groups.
• 🏠 Globalization has increased the number of lone-person households, especially among students and young professionals living alone or in shared accommodation.
• 📱 Technology has allowed families to stay connected across borders, leading to the rise of a 'global modified extended family,' despite physical distance.
• 💼 The change in the workforce has led to a shift in the division of unpaid labor, with men contributing more hours to domestic work, though women still do the majority of unpaid labor.
• 🌍 Migration has given rise to 'translocalism,' where individuals maintain connections to multiple geographical areas, reflecting a more fluid and interconnected sense of identity.

Q & A

How has globalization impacted family structures in the UK?

Globalization has had significant effects on family structures in the UK, especially through increased geographical mobility and migration. It has led to greater family diversity, changes in gender roles, and a shift in family organization, such as the rise of dual-earner families and increased migration of middle-class families both into and out of the UK.

What role does migration play in the transformation of family structures in the UK?

Migration plays a pivotal role in transforming family structures by fostering greater ethnic diversity and influencing family organization. It has led to the growth of translocalism, with families maintaining ties to multiple geographical areas, and an increase in lone-person households, especially among young professionals and students.

How has the employment sector in the UK changed due to globalization, and what are its impacts on families?

The UK has seen a decline in traditional manufacturing sectors, with new employment opportunities arising in retail, health and social work, and administrative positions, sectors which are largely feminized. This shift has led to changes in gender roles within families, such as more women working and a greater division of labor within households.

What impact has globalization had on gender roles within the UK family?

Globalization has led to more dual-earner families and increased female participation in the workforce. While this has changed domestic labor divisions and decision-making, men still largely retain economic power in many families, and traditional gender roles persist in some social classes and across generations.

How does migration contribute to the increasing family diversity in the UK?

Migration has contributed to family diversity by bringing people from different cultural backgrounds with distinct family structures. For example, Asian families are less likely to live alone compared to other ethnic groups, and the dynamics within these families, such as marriage and cohabitation, may vary across cultures.

What are some of the trends seen in the rise of lone-person households in the UK?

The rise in lone-person households is linked to migration, particularly among young professionals and students. Many migrants live alone or in shared accommodation, contributing to the increase in demand for student housing and one-bedroom apartments.

What role does technology play in the evolution of family structures due to globalization?

Technology, particularly advancements in communication software like Skype and Zoom, has helped create a 'global modified extended family.' It allows family members to stay in touch despite being geographically distant, helping to mitigate the isolation that can come with migration.

How has globalization influenced the division of labor in UK households?

Globalization has shifted the division of unpaid labor in UK households. While women still do more unpaid labor on average than men, men have increased their contribution over time. This change reflects broader shifts in employment and gender roles brought about by globalization.

What is the impact of migration on older family members left behind?

The movement of younger family members abroad for job opportunities can lead to the isolation of older family members, particularly grandparents, who may no longer have the same support system as before. This is a less obvious consequence of globalization.

How have migration patterns affected the creation of migrant identities in the UK?

Migration has led to the development of distinct migrant identities in the UK. Communities, such as Caribbean migrants in London, often maintain strong ties to their homeland and traditions, and may express these ties through cultural practices and values despite living in a foreign country.