Book Chapter

Family formation in multicultural Britain: diversity and change

Publication details

Publication date
Series or book
Ethnicity, Social Mobility, and Public Policy: Comparing the USA and UK
Series or chapter number
Ch. 8
Volume
222-254
Publisher
Cambridge University Press

Summary

The family structures of ethnic minority groups in Britain are compared with those of the white population. Caribbeans' low rates of marriage and high rates of single parenthood are characterised as adopting 'modern individualism'. South Asians' high rates of marriage are characterised as adhering to 'old-fashioned values'. Even among Asians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis stand out in terms of low rates of economic activity among women, and large family sizes. All groups are moving in the same direction: Caribbeans ahead of the white trend, South Asians behind it. Some of the patterns observed are associated with child poverty.

Notes

by Loury, Glenn C. Modood, Tariq and Teles, Steven M. (eds)

Topics