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Since the introduction of marriage in the middle Ages, British families have evolved as a prominent social-unit within society. This development has been ongoing through the centuries with more and more emphasis placed upon its structure and functioning. Post –War Britain brought with it solidarity a togetherness with people searching more and more for that sense of belonging that family life provided. Family life has since been portrayed, sometimes adversely, as the cohesive unit that provides this. But what actually constitutes a family, and more so, an ideal family? Is it a relationship through blood, in-laws, step-relatives or even friends, or do all of these examples constitute a family? The “Nuclear” or “Cereal Packet Family” was once regarded as the most prominent within society and was often regarded as its cornerstone yet there has been an apparent decrease over recent years with regard to the number of “Nuclear Households” and a subsequent increase in other forms of family living taking place. Where, the “Nuclear Family,” was once thought by sociologists as the type best suited to society, Bilton.T. Et al. (1996 p.518), support the view of, Rapoport, Fogarty and Rapoport. (1982)” that there is now a plurality of norms which are recognised as legitimate and indeed desirable.”

A number of factors outside of the family have led to a far greater diversification, such as, ethnicity, policymaking, religion and economics. Although the government sees the “Nuclear Family” as the one most effective in society some of the policies introduced in parliament have had an adverse affect in their promotion of the “Nuclear Family” unit. Take divorce for instance, information obtained from Marcus. M. and Ducklin. A. (p.144), states that since the introduction of the Matrimonial Causes Act, 1857, was made available to the courts, six further amendments implemented since have contributed to broaden the grounds and means for a divorce. One such amendment was...