Changing Patterns of Family Life: Reconstituted Families

Introduction

- Reconstituted or blended families are comprised of two partners and children that are the biological children of one of the partners only.

- With the increase in remarriages in society, reconstituted families are more common in contemporary society.

- According to the 2011 census, 1.1 million children in the United Kingdom live as part of a reconstituted family.

Reasons for the Rise in Reconstituted Families

- Increased divorce.

- Changing attitudes to relationships.

- Changing attitudes to social institutions.

- Increase life expectancy. 

Increased Divorce

- In recent years, the number of marriages and divorces has been falling, however, divorce is now more common in society than in previous generations.

- The average age of divorce for opposite-sex couples in the United Kingdom is 45-49 for males, 40-44 for females.

- Combined with later marriages and a later average age of childbearing, the formation of subsequent relationships will involve children.

Changing Attitudes to…