Sociology and the Family: Marriage, Divorce and Defacto Partnering

The family is a remarkably significant social unit. It is defined a group of individuals, related by blood, marriage, adoption or cohabitation (AIFS, 2001). In all known societies the family has the function of regulating sexual behaviour and reproduction, of socialization, of protecting children and the elderly, and of providing its members with emotional support, health and well being (Edgar et al., 1993). Over the last few decades, family formation patterns have changed considerably. Contemporary family sociology …

…Australian Bureau of Statistics - Commonwealth of Australia Australia Now - Australian Social Trends 1995, Family - Family Formation: Trends in de facto partnering <http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs%40.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/57662744f0a62e08ca2569ee0015d89f!OpenDocument > 2000 Edgar, D., Earle, L., and Fopp, R., (1993), Introduction to Australian Society, Second Edition, Prentice Hall, Australia. Social Health Atlas Series Volume 1: "Family", (2000) Fact sheet number 7: Australia, page 30-33