Home Economics: Social Change and the Family

Reasons for rural-urban migration
fewer agricultural jobs due to mechanisation
urban areas have higher speed broadband and employment opportunities
rural lifestyle is becoming unnatractive
easier access to services, amenities, education and infastructure

Impact on rural areas
rural depopulation
isolation
closure of services/transport
reduced amenities
decline in marriage and birth rates
young people leave to go to college or get jobs

Impact on urban areas
concentration of services
increased competition for jobs
social problems
greater demands for services (housing, health, education)
traffic congestion, noise and air pollution

Government intervention (rural-urban)
decentralization policy
rural resettlement Ireland
IDA promote Ireland to foreign investors

Reasons for shorter working hours
legislation governs max. working hours
extra working hours - overtime payments
flextime, term-time & shift-work
job sharing arrangements
trade unions improve wages and working conditions
shorter hours during the recession

Reasons for increased leisure time
range of work options or unemployment
increased awareness of the benefits
improve work-life balance

Impact of reduced working hours
lower income (less disposable income)
changes in family lifestyle
parents spending more time with children
improved work-life balance

Improvements in education provisions
education is available to all
free primary and secondary education
provision of subsidized school transport
investment in resources
more programmes to cater for different needs
investment in special needs education
greater variety for second-chance education
student councils and parent's association

Impacts on family life
accessible to all due to state assistance
needs based education helps with specific difficulties
encourages students to stay in school
maintains the value of education in society
second-chance improves employment opportunity

Improvements in social welfare provision
for lone parents, unemployed people and the disabled
less people living in poverty
child benefits reduce child poverty
pensions relieve elderly financial stress
family income supplements reduce financial stress among low-income families

Changing attitudes to marriage
declining religious and social influence
marriage isn't viewed as a way of securing a future
women are educated and independent
couples focus on careers before marriage
increased in cohabiting couples
marital breakdown is common and accepted
separation and divorce are legally recognized
Marriage Act 2015 allows same-sex marriage

Impact of changing attitudes to marriage on the family
breakdown of traditional family unit
martial breakdown is more common
fewer marriages taking place at young ages
changing family structure

Changing attitudes to parenting
women have careers before children
more egalitarian approach
both parents are involved
maternity and paternity leave
corporal punishment is illegal
shared by parents, grandparents and childminders

Impact of changing attitudes to parenting on the family
more egalitarian and democratic approach
role overload
role of men is supported by paternity leave etc.
children are more involved in decisions
both parents are involved in discipline
roles may be shared with others in dual earner families

Changing attitudes to traditional roles
sole breadwinner is less common
women work outside the home
gender equality is central
more egalitarian than the past
sharing childcare roles with others

Improved pay and conditions of work
legislation passed to protect workers (Employment Equality Act 2015, National Minimum Wage Act 2000, Protection of Young Persons Act 1996)
set minimum wage, hours rest periods etc.
parental leave, career breaks, flexible hours, working from home etc.
rights of workers are protected by trade unions

Impact of improved pay on the family
more families can provide for their basic needs
improved standards of living
more time to spend with family members

Greater participation of women in the workforce
social acceptance of work outside the home
improved educational opportunities
better career advancement opportunities
women no longer have to retire when they get married
equal pay and improved wages

Impact of more women in the workplace on the family
smaller families, women having kids later in life
improved standard of living
children may be more responsible
difficulties may arise with childcare
role overload and role conflict
women are role models for their children (gender equality)

Legislation on equal pay and employment opportunities
legislation governs all aspects of work
ensures equal opportunity
prohibits discrimination

Causes of unemployment
varies according to economic conditions
vary from year to year
varies from sector to sector
companies fail, liquidize or relocate
foreign investment depends on government grants and tax exemptions

Impact of unemployment on the family
lower living standard, higher risk of debt
inability to pay rent etc.
relationship, money, self-esteem problems
poverty
emigration for work

Modern communications technology
efficiency in the home
effective communication
leisure
email, text, social media
online banking, bill paying, shopping

Impact of modern technology on the family
arrangements can be changed quickly
closer family bonds with extended family
keeps people connected globally
cause conflict if social media is overused
risk of cyberbullying