1. (a) The change in settlement patterns from rural to urban: Urban population has increased dramatically in recent years due to better employment opportunities, education, services, amenities, transport links in urban areas. Essentials services e.g. Hospitals in urban areas. Improved technology: less agricultural jobs in rural areas. Infrastructure rural areas poor. Rural areas have a largely elderly population due to falling birth and marriage rates. 1. Impact on family life in rural areas: Population decrease. Cut backs in essential services e.g. Schools, public transport. Fewer amenities available. Fall in birth rate, population will decline as young people leave the area. Declined and neglected areas. 1. Impact on families in urban areas: 1.Services & amenities overcrowded. 2.Infrastructure is developed & maintained. 3.Entertainment & leisure facilities more accessible. 4.Increase traffic congestion & air and noise pollution. 5.Services e.g. Hospitals inadequate due to population increase. 6.Employment opportunities decline. 7.Drug/alcohol abuse. 2. Reduction in working hours/increase in leisure time: 1.Establishment of trade unions. 2.Irish and European legislation governs max working hours for those under 18 years. 3.Legislation for holiday allowance, sick leave and maternity leave. 4.Parental leave is an entitlement. 5.Different work patterns now offered: Flexitime, job sharing, part time work etc. 6.Increase in leisure time offered due to decrease in working hours. Impact of increased leisure time on families: 1.Less income to spend (recession), families might avail of walking/cycling, not expensive. 2.Some parents more time to spend with children (unemployed), some have less time with children (working longer hours). 3.Parents free attend sports days, concerts, PT meetings. 4.Improvements in mental health sports help stress. 5.Active leisure pursuits reduce obesity.

3. Improvements in education: Early 1900’s 1.Few went to secondary school. 2.Limited opportunities for girls. 3.Second level education: small fee paying schools. 4.Minority progressed to third level. Late 1900’s : Free education. 2.Investment in new schools, equipment, staffing etc. 3.School transport introduced. 4.Wide range of courses introduced into second level (LCA, LCVP, TY). 5.Means tested grants for third level education. 6.Intro of adult and second chance education Reduction in teachers, special needs assistants etc 2.Reduction in school grants e.g. TY, Science, Home Economics. 3.Subjects cut in schools due to cut in teachers e.g. physics 4.Greater opportunities (more courses offered in third level). 5.Intro of PPP’S (Dept lease schools from companies) 6.Extra-curricular activities offered in schools, universities (Sports, Science clubs etc) 3. Impact of education on family life: 1.Family is primary educator. 2.Improvements of resources for children with SEN. 3.Parents greater understanding of education praising achievements. 4.Families must budget, money for children attending third level. 5.Second chance education for parents. 4. Changing attitudes to Marriage: Decrease influence of catholic church. No pressure on couples to get married. Couples live together first (cohabiting): acceptable & marry later in life. Single families/blended families common. Divorce/separation has increased. Marital breakdown is socially acceptable. Women work: less dependent on partners. Couples tend to advance careers before marriage. Impact of marriage on family life: 1.Breakdown effect family members. 2.No male role models (single families headed by females) 3.Fall birth rate: fewer marriages. 4.More marriage breakdown & divorce. 5.No longer stigma attached children born outside marriage. 6.Increase of remarriage therefore blended families more common. 5. Increased participation of women in the workforce Better educational opportunities led to women getting better paid jobs. Generally there is now equality of pay. More financial security for women especially lone parents. More dual income families, therefore more disposable income in families. Impact of women in workplace on family life: 1.Smaller family sizes (women having children later in life, recession) 2.Dual income: higher standards of living. 3.Children more time childcare. 4.Teenagers more responsibilities in house. 5.Women stressed as they balance work with family roles.

8. Unemployment: The level of unemployment varies depending on the economy. Sept % unemployed in Ireland. Impact on Family life Many families depend on Social welfare payments to live & can be difficult. Increase in numbers of males working abroad and travelling home to see their families. 9. Traditional Family roles & parenting: Traditional roles now changing due to more women out working. Stay at home fathers now more common. Egalitarian roles (both partners are responsible for decisions) are more common. Women are financially independent & better educated. Maternity/paternity leave available to parents. Impact on family life Socially acceptable for men to remain at home and look after the house and children. Childminders have greater responsibilities now- children can be with a childminder up to 10 hours per day. Both parents are now entitled to unpaid parental leave. 7. Legislation on equal pay and employment opportunities. The Employment Equality Acts prohibit discrimination on the grounds of gender, maritial status, family status, sexual orientation, age, race etc. However, pay for women is still lower in some areas of employment e.g. Managerial positions. Impact of legislation on family life: Women are often employed in low skill jobs, therefore receive lower wages. Some areas of employment are male dominated. People with disabilities and members of travelling community still experience some discrimination when seeking employment. 6. Improved pay and working conditions Trade unions now protect the rights of workers ensuring minimum pay and proper working conditions. The following legislation protects the rights of workers: 1.Safety, Health & Welfare Act Employment Equality Acts Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996 Impact of pay & working conditions on family life: Women receive equal pay for work as men. Shorter working hours. People happier at work due to better pay & conditions. Some groups e.g. Travellers may not experience equal employment opportunities. Average pay for women is still lower (more likely to take lower paid jobs.