Lesson:
Family forms
In this lesson we will discuss different family forms in Belgium.
Which family compositions do you know?
At the end there is a small quiz about the lesson
Now we will look at the evolution of family forms in Belgium
Before the 18th century
- Extended families
- more than two generations living under one roof.
- Only a married man could live there; the others left the house once they were married.
- Inheritance most often given to the eldest son.
- Many children.
After the 18th century
- Industrialization
- Nuclear family (mother, father, children) appears as the norm
- Fathers go to work, mothers stay at home
Evolution to the 21st century
Today
- Different types of families
- The family structure is also changed by the number of children: decreased birth rate
- Increased divorce rates
- More single-parent families
Which changes in the society impacted family compositions ?
Some changes in the society...
- Economic independence of men and women
- Changing organization of work
- Social security system
- the importance of a welfare state
- Secularization
- reduced influence of the church
- Scientific progress
- controlling fertility
- improving public health
- Flexible legislation
Now we will look closer to 4 forms :
-
Blended families
-
Single-parent families
-
Single mother by choice
-
Foster family
Blended Families
10 % of the families today are blended families
a family unit where one or both parents have children from a previous relationship, but they have combined to form a new family
Between 1986 and 1996, the number of single-parent families increased by 33%
Single-parent families
Single Mother by choice
a single woman who decides to become a mother, knowing that she will be the sole parent of her child – at least at the outset
In Dutch this is called BAM (= bewust alleenstaande moeder)
More information?
Here are two articles (in Dutch):
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2015/12/29/wat_is_de_procedurevoorbewustalleenstaandemoeders-1-2498002/
Foster care
- You offer temporary care for a child
- More then 4000 foster families in Flanders
- As a foster family, you decide what kind of commitment you are willing to offer: weekends, short or long term foster care.
- They can last for a few days, weeks, months or even years, depending on the individual needs and the specific situation of the child or adult.
Conclusion: Many different types of families
Do you have a Question?
Ask me on the GGL classroom
Family forms
By Eyad Elbalawi
