What is legally recognised as a “family” today?
Donna Whitehead reports
The image of the traditional family, encompassing a heterosexual married couple and their children, is often captured in family portraits. The reality of family life today, however, is very different. At the recent Labour Party conference, prime minister Gordon Brown said that he stood for a Britain that supports all families, and during his first speech as leader of the Labour Party, he indicated his intention to strengthen family life.
CHANGING FACE OF FAMILY LIFE
If a person is asked to list members of their family, they might identify those to whom they are genetically related. Equally they may consider their family to be those who live in the same household, despite the lack of any genetic link. They may include individuals whom they support financially or emotionally, irrespective of genetics or residence. These assorted groups are more likely today to be recognised as a family unit.
In terms of demographics, the Office for National Statistics has recently reported in Families—Focus on Families that the marriage rate has declined over the past three decades and
