Kontakt 2013, 15(4):422-430 | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2013.050

Family in processes of transformation of societyHealth and Social Sciences - Review

Blahoslav Kraus

Univerzita Hradec Králové, Pedagogická fakulta, katedra sociální patologie a sociologie

The study deals with the development and transformation of the family from the second half of 20th century till present and analyses the influence of transformation processes in a society. In the first part the author mentions the development trends and changes in the family during the second half of 20th century in Europe and confronts them with the situation in the Czech Republic. In a certain way the development of the family in the Czech Republic delayed copies the development trends coming from northern countries, however, with some dissimilarities in some ways. These changes happened in a considerably unstable environment, thereby natural processes in the process of reproduction were distorted. In the second part the author characterizes the family of the new century and mentions the demographic signs, processes of democratization of family life, disintegration, isolation, social-economic situation in families, lifestyle and movements toward functions. In all the cases there are evident movements toward another form and style of life in contemporary families with all the negative consequences for their members, first of all for children. It turns out that the post - modern society - typical with its individualization, rationalization, continuous rising needs is not good for a family life and family relations. The third part characterizes a family as a microsystem in terms of a social-ecological model of the development of human capital. Further problems with the conception of the family as a social institution today, problems with determination of the term a family are described and in connection with innovative manners coexistence and the life of "the singles" the author thinks about future of the family. The family seems to be a hard replaceable institution for the adults and above all an optimal environment for healthy development of children, however in a modified form and considering all the problems. Unfortunately, we do not do much for stabilization of its position.

Keywords: family; society; transformation; development trend; quality of life

Received: May 22, 2013; Accepted: September 5, 2013; Published: December 20, 2013  Show citation