How has family formation and structure changed since the 1950’s? This essay will examinethe changes in the formation and structure of families in Britain during the last six decades. Social attitudes towards various types of family unit will be explored. Additionally, the implications for social work will be considered with particular reference to welfare provided in the form of care for children and the elderly. Boylan and Allan (2008, p14) note that parenting must continue despite the dissolution of households and relationships yet this is problematic for many families. It is important to note that some families are more resilient than others and as such are able to resolve family problems privately without support from the state, ultimately the effects of poverty may be the key determinants of social work intervention. Lone parent are more likely to suffer the effects poverty as they must support their families with a single income. This is particularly true of female-headed lone parent households as women with parental responsibility tend to enter relatively lower paid job and often suffer the effects of wage inequality despite more than three decades of legislation to promote equality in the workplace. Millar and Ridge (2002, p86) state that women face an increased risk of living in poverty with inadequate policy intervention to address their needs. Nonetheless, advocates of neo-liberal ideology suggest that state intervention to support lone parents creates welfare dependency as the state assumes responsibilities that belong to individuals. Sheldon and Macdonald (2009, p193) note that these concerns regarding state intervention in private lives can be traced back to the days of the Poor Laws. Conversely, feminism suggests that increased female headed households and increased level of cohabitation are emancipatory. As divorce and re-partnering has become more commonplace family boundaries extend to include more people. Cheal (2002, p7) suggests that it...