THE SOCIAL FRAMEWORK
The population of the UK has grown and changed significantly since the Queen came to the throne in 1952. Increased life expectancy and lower fertility rates have produced an older population, while immigration has led to ethnic diversity. Living arrangements and relationships have changed. More people are living alone, cohabitation before marriage is now commonplace and there has been a rise in births outside marriage. Many more women are participating in the labour market, although they still do most of the housework and childcare. Living standards are much higher, but there remain concerns about the relative deprivation of some people and communities.
Population
The population of the United Kingdom was estimated to be 58.8 million in mid-2001. This estimate, which is based on results from the 2001 Census, indicates that the population is approximately 1 million smaller than was suggested by the estimates for mid-2000. It is very difficult to get accurate information about people leaving the country and this is thought to have caused most of the discrepancy. Over the last 20 years more people have emigrated than was previously thought, causing the population to grow a little more slowly than expected. Population projections, based on the previous mid-2000 estimates, suggested that the population of the UK might increase to nearly 65 billion by 2025 and peak at almost 66 million in 2040 before beginning a gradual decline.
Age and Gender
The UK has an ageing population. Lower fertility rates and lower mortality rates have both contributed to this. In 2001 there were 10.8 million people over state pension age, and 11.9 million children aged under 16.
More boys are each year than girl, and in 1981 men outnumbered women until around the age of 48. Above this age there were increasingly more women than men. Results from the 2001 Census indicate that women now outnumbered men from the age 22. By age 90 and over there are three times as many women as men. This reflects longer life expectancy of women.
I. Households and Families
The number of households in Great Britain rose by 50% between 1961 and 2002, from 16.3 million to 24.4 million. Many more people now live alone. Most of the increase in one-person households since 1981 is attributable to people below pension age. Despite the growth in the number of people living alone, most households (57%) are still based on couples, although the proportion has fallen from 74% in 1961. These couple households, however are now less likely to contain dependent children than in 1961 or 1981. Lone parents with dependent children now account for 6% of households, compared with 2% in 1961.Lone parents have increasingly become householders in their own.
Households by type of household and family, Great Britain
Percent
1961 1981 2002
One person
Under state pension age 4 8 15
Over state pension age 7 14 14
Two or more unrelated adults 5 5 3
One-family households
Couple with:
No children 26 26 29
1-2 dependent children 30 25 19
3 or more dependent children 8 6 4
Non-dependent children only 10 8 6
Lone parent with:
Dependent children 2 5 6
Non-dependent children only 4 4 3
Multi-family households 3 1 1
All households (millions) 16.3 20.2 24.4
Back in 2002, it was discovered that, for the first time, UK properties were more occupied by people living alone, or as a single parent, than as a traditional family unit. The study of how family life has changed since the 1960s - carried out by The Future Foundation - found that living alone had become the norm in the UK. A little over 40 years ago the traditional family unit household made up half of all households in the UK. As the number of people living alone is ever increasing, the number of homes needed will rise accordingly and the UK property market needs to get moving again to fulfil the demand. A Spokesman for the National Housing Federation said, "The increase in single-occupancy properties has naturally had an impact on housing supply."
There are humans living alone in the UK, and who are they…???
Nearly one in eight of us, 12% now lives on their own as numbers of couples with children decline, while fewer marry, divorce becomes easier and young women focus on education and careers rather than starting families. The increase in people living by themselves is among the young and the middle aged as well as the elderly. Many women now delay marriage or having children until their age was 30 years, and live alone or in short-lived cohabitations until that point. Large numbers of people also choose cohabitation, and a much higher risk of break-up, over marriage in the long term. However increasing numbers of elderly people of whom many will be widowed are also boosting numbers who live by themselves. And easier divorce has also increased the numbers living alone. Projections from the ONS show that people who live by themselves will be the biggest group in 20 years time, making up 44% of the adult population. The 'unpartnered' will outnumber the married and the greatest increase in singletons will be among people aged between 30 and 65. The report also highlighted the rise of 'kidults', adults still living with their parents, with nearly a third of men and a fifth of women aged 20 to 34 doing so.
The causes people living alone because they focus on education and careers rather than starting families. They do not think there is a marriage at all, except after finishing their study. Even post-graduate or doctoral degree abroad, for years. They study to pursue their academics level, to ignore the issue of marriage. Beside that,
II. Cohabitation, Marriages and Divorces
Patterns of partnership formation have also changed. Most people still get married at some stage, but the proportions who cohabit or live outside a relationship have increased. Figures for Great Britain show that around 12% of adults aged 16 to 59 were cohabiting with their partner in 2000/01. This was most likely among men aged 25 to 34 and women aged 20 to 29. Cohabitation has become increasingly common before marriage, although 14% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported at least one cohabiting union that did not lead to marriage.
In 2000 there were 306,000 marriages in the UK, a slight increase on the previous year’s figure of 301,000. Of the marriages that took place in 2000, 180,000 were first marriages for both partners, almost half the number in 1950 . First marriages accounted for 81% of all marriages in 1950 but only 59% in 2000.
Around 155,000 divorces were granted in the UK in 2000, 14% fewer than in 1993. The divorce rate in England and Wales peaked at 14,2 per 1,000 married people in 1993, but has since fallen. The rate in 2000 was 12,7 per 1,000 married people, the lowest since 1984.
It should be remembered that divorce does not occur for a single reason and that frequently there are a number of factors involved as to why divorce and separations occur. The causes of divorce because Liberal divorce laws, sexual factors leading to incompatibility, role conflicts, and various other factors.
III. Ages The Humans Can Legally Do Thing
Young adults are the most mobile age group. Many people in their twenties leave their parental home to study, seek employment or set up their own home. In 2001, London experienced the largest net increase of people aged 16 to 24, 19,000. The West Midlands experienced the biggest net loss of people in this age group (over 4,000). London also experienced the largest net losses among all the other age groups, particularly those aged 35 to 44. The South West, East and South East experienced the highest net gains in this age group.
Ages the humans can legally di thing in the UK, whether they are hoping to get served, get laid, get a mortgage or simply get a life.
14+
They can get a part time job, for a maximum of two hours on a school day, working sometime between 7.00am and 8.00am and 5.00pm and 7.00pm.
They can work on Sundays between 7.00am and 7.00pm, but again for no more than two hours.
They can work up to five hours on a Saturday between 7.00am and 7.00pm.You can work any day during school holidays but must have a fortnight without employment during this time.
It's worth checking with your Local Authority before taking on unusual work (i.e. anything that doesn't involve shoving papers through letterboxes) to be sure it doesn't contravene local regulations and bylaws
They can go into a bar and order soft drinks.
If convicted of a serious criminal offence (in a Youth Court), they can
be held in secure accommodation for no more than 24 months. They could also get a fine for a maximum of £1,000.
They can get a licence to take part in public performances abroad.
15+
They can work up to eight hours on a Saturday between 7.00am and 7.00pm (if they are 15 or over but under school-leaving age).
They can view, rent or buy a 15 rated film.
If they are awaiting trial for a criminal offence, they may be held in a remand centre.
If convicted, they can be sent to a young offenders institute for up to two years.
16+
They have the right to give consent to medical, dental and surgical treatment. This includes contraceptive advice and treatment.
They can leave school on the last Friday in June (as long as you're 16) by the end of the summer holidays.
They are entitled to free full-time further education (at school, sixth form college and city technology college).
If they do leave full-time education for work, you are allowed to take time off for training or study (until you're 17).
They can have sex, gay or straight, so long as your partner is also 16+ (17+ in Northern Ireland).
If they are 17 and under, it is an offence for someone in a position of trust who is 18 or over to engage in any kind of sexual activity with you.
They can claim benefit and obtain a National Insurance number.
They can apply for legal aid.
They can drink a beer or a cider with a meal in a pub or hotel if it was purchased by someone over 18, although in Northern Ireland you must be over 18
They can ride a moped with a max engine power of 50cc (and a provisional licence). They can also drive an invalid vehicle (with a licence) and a mowing machine.
They can work as a street trader and/or sell scrap metal.
They can choose your own doctor.
They can work full time if you've chosen to leave school (but not in a bar or a betting shop).
They can join the armed forces (so long as that's OK with your parent/s or carer).
They can move out of the family home. (If you're under 17 then Social Services may apply for a Care Order).
They can rent accommodation (but a guarantor is required until They are 18 this is an adult who can be responsible for you).
They have the right to access your school records.
They must pay for prescription charges (unless you're pregnant, on income support or in full-time education). Laws in Wales differ though.
They can order your own passport.
If convicted of a criminal offence, but not given a custodial sentence, they can receive a community rehabilitation order for up to three years, a community punishment order up to 240 hours, or a combination of both.
They can do the football pools, and play the National Lottery.
They can buy premium bonds.
They can fly a glider.
They can get married (with parental consent).
17+
They can drive most types of vehicles (with a provisional driving licence and a 21+ adult in the passenger seat who is qualified to drive).
If they pass your driving test, and they are properly insured, they can get behind the wheel and take to the road on their own.
They can apply for a private pilot's licence for a plane, helicopter, gyroplane, hot air balloon and airship.
They can be interviewed by the police without an adult present, given a reprimand or a warning. Should they be charged with an offence (without being granted bail) then they could be sent to a remand centre or prison.
Care orders can no longer be made for them.
They can become a blood donor.
18+
They can vote in local and general elections.
They can stand for election as a Member of Parliament, local councillor or Mayor.
They can serve on a jury, or be tried in a magistrates court and go to jail if they are found guilty of a criminal offence.
If they were adopted they can see their original birth certificate (and have their name added to the Adoption Contact Register).
They can make a will.
They can leave your body for medical study.
They can carry a donor card.
They can get married without parental permission.
They can view, rent or buy an 18 rated film.
They can view, rent, or buy pornographic material that does not contravene UK obscenity laws.
They can buy fireworks.
They can place a bet in a betting shop/casino.
They can buy cigarettes, rolling tobacco, cigarette papers and also liqueur chocolates.
They can open your own bank account.
They can ride a motorbike above 125cc with a licence.
They can buy an alcoholic drink in a pub or a bar.
They can pawn stuff in a pawn shop.
IV. Social Trends
Women and Men
Employment and Income
The economic and domestic lives of women have changed considerably in the last 30 years and women have taken an increasingly important role in the labour market. According to the 1971 Census, 91% of men of working age, compared with 56% of women were economically active in the UK. By spring 2001 the rate for women had increased to 72% of women of working age, while the rate for men had declined to 84%. The number of women in the UK labour force increased from 10 million in 1971 to nearly 13 million in spring 2001; projections indicate that the number will rise by 1.1 million between 1999 and 2011. The increase in the female labour force came mainly from a strong rise in the participation of married women. By spring 2001, 75% of married or cohabiting women were economically active. The likelihood of being economically active varies considerably according to whether or not they have dependent children; activity rates are lowest for those with a child under the age of five, at 57%.
Despite the growth in female employment in recent years, women and men still tend to work in different occupations and pay rates are considerably lower in sectors dominated by women. In spring 2001 women employees outnumbered men in clerical and secretarial occupations by four to one, while there were more than twice as many men as women managers and senior officials. Around 41% of male employees and 29% of female employees had some form of managerial or supervisory responsibility in spring 2001.
The average individual income of men was higher than that of women in all age bands in 1999-2000, largely because of their higher levels of earnings, self-employment income and their longer hours of working. Gross income varied across age bands and was highest for women aged 25 to 29, compared with the age group 35 to 39 for men. Across all income levels, women contribute on average less than a third of the family income. The gap between male and female earnings has been closing but the differential remains, with female full-time employees earning around 82% of the corresponding male hourly rate in April 2000. However, the difference in weekly earnings was even greater-women only earned 75% of men’s weekly earnings-because men tend to work longer hours than women, and are more likely than women to receive overtime payments.
Equal Opportunities
The sex Discrimination Act 1975 makes discrimination between men and women unlawful, with certain limited exceptions, in employment, education training and the provision of housing, goods, facilities and services, and protects complainants and their supporters from victimisation. Discrimination against married people and discriminatory job recruitment advertisements are also unlawful. Under the Equal Pay Act 1970, women in Great Britain are entitled to equal pay with men when doing work that is the same or broadly similar, work which is rated as equivalent, or work which is of equal value. Parallel legislation on sex discrimination and equal pay applies in Northern Ireland.
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), an independent statutory body, has the duties of working towards the elimination of sex discrimination; promoting equality of opportunity between women and men; promoting equality of opportunity in the fields of employment and vocational training for people who intend to undergo, are undergoing or who have undergone gender reassignment; and keeping under review the working of and proposing amendments to, the Sex Discrimination Act and the Equal Pay Act. It provides advice to individuals and in some cases provides legal representation for individuals to bring sex discrimination and equal pay claims. The EOC runs an ‘Equality Exchange’, with around 800 members, which enables employers to exchange information on good practice. In Northern Ireland equivalent responsibilities for tackling discrimination and promoting gender equality rest with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. The remit of this Commission also includes race, religious and political beliefs, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability and people with dependants.
Social Exclusion
Social exclusion is the term given to what can happen when individuals or areas suffer from a combination of linked problems, such as unemployment, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high crime environment, bad health and family breakdown. A Social Exclusion Unit (SEU) was set up in the Cabinet Office in 1997 to coordinate and improve government action to reduce social exclusion in England. It looks at issues that involve a range of government departments. There is close liaison with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland devolved administrations which have their own strategies for tackling social exclusion. The Social Exclusion Unit has produced reports on five main areas which have led to new policies on truancy and school exclusion, rough sleeping, a national strategy for neighbourhood renewal, teenage pregnancy and 16 to 18 year olds not in employment, education or training. The government’s approach is intended to prevent people from becoming socially excluded, to help people to get back on their feet if they have become excluded, and to unsure that there is a necessary framework of minimum standards in areas including health, education, employment, in-work income and in tackling crime.
The SEU’s current projects are :
Young runaways-a report published by the SEU in March 2001 suggests that by the age of 16 one in nine school age children in England will run away for at least one night; a quarter of those who run away sleep on the streets and come in 14 survive through begging, stealing, drug dealing and prostitution ; 80% of young people run away because of family problems.
Children in care and education in England, those who have been children in care are over represented among rough sleepers, prisoners and runaways. In 1997, 75% of children in care left school with no formal qualifications. Children in care are ten times more likely to be excluded from school; a quarter of all prisoners and up to a third of rough sleepers have been in care; and children in care are two and a half times more likely to become teenage parents.
Transport and social exclusion two thirds of the poorest fifth of the population in the UK have no car and depend on public transport. If public transport is unavailable or does not meet their needs this can be barrier to inclusion. The SEU is working with other government departments to analyse the nature of the transport barriers that make it difficult for people to get to work, or to access critical services, including healthcare , learning and shops.
Reducing re-offending by ex prisoners the SEU is working with other government departments to cut rates of re-offending by ex-prisoners, in particular by boosting levels of employment and numeracy skills mean that 90% of those leaving prison do so without any immediate prospect of employment, while two-fifths will be homeless.
Neighbourhood Renewal
The Neighbourhood Renewal National strategy Action Plan sets out how the Government is responding to problems such as unemployment, educational failure and crime in England’s most deprived communities.
The aim is to narrow the gap between deprived areas and the rest of the country, so that within 10 to 20 years no one should be seriously disadvantaged by where they live. The specific objectives to ensure :
Economic prosperity.
Safe communities
High quality schools.
Decent housing, and
Better health.
The emphasis is on attacking the core problems of deprived areas, such as weak economies and poor schools, harnessing the power of all sectors to work in partnership, and focusing existing programmers more explicitly on these areas.
By 2004, annual expenditure will be increased by £1.6 billion on the police and £ 1.6 billion on housing. This additional funding is underpinned by minimum targets which mean that, for the first time, government departments will be judged on the areas where they are doing worst, and not on the national average.
One of the priorities of the National Strategy is to get better information about neighbourhoods in order to provide evidence of the problems they face, to assess need, and to monitor progress. The Office for National Statistics is leading the development of a new Internet based service, the Neighbourhood Statistics Service ( www.statistics.gov.uk/neighbourhood.com ).
Which has the aim of meeting these information needs. It will be developed over several years in partnership with the many organisations that collect the kind of data that can inform the National strategy for neighbourhood Renewal. The information will come from making better use of existing administrative data and from developing methodologies and estimates to meet other requirements.
Renewal Unit in the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions took over the leadership of the Neighbourhood Renewal National Strategy from the Social Exclusion Unit.
Living Standards
The trend in the UK’s standard of living, using gross domestic product (GDP) per head at constant market prices as an indicator, has generally been one of steady growth over the last 50 years. Since 1995 the annual rate of growth has been in a relatively narrow range, from 1.9% to 3.1%.
Real household disposable income (the total resources available to households after deductions) more than quadrupled between 1951 and 2001. There was a rise of 6.5% in 2001, which was above the long-term annual average rise of 3.1% between 1991 and 2001 and the strongest rise since 1978.
The wealth of the household sector in the UK, net of any loans outstanding, including those on the purchase of assets such as housing, has shown strong growth in recent years. It rose in real terms by an average of 4.6% a year between 1987 and 2000, although there was a fall in 2001 the household sector’s net worth totalled 4,573 billions 2,562 billion of non-financial assets, of which residential dwellings accounted for 83%, and 2,011 billion of financial assets. During 2001 the value of residential dwellings (excluding housing association properties) rose by 8%, in contrast to household net financial wealth which fell by 16%, reflecting the effect of weak equty markets on holdings of shares, life assurance and pension funds.
Although there have been substantial long-term improvements in the standard of living, there remain concerns about the relative deprivation of some people and communities. The distribution of income and wealth is uneven. For example, the latest available figures show that.
The average original income of the top fifth of households in 2000/01 of 55,700 billion was 18 times the average of the bottom fifth 3,100 billion. Benefits and to alesser extent, taxes reduce this inequality so that the ratio for final income is fourt to one.
In 2000/01, 17% of the population of Great Britain lived in households with low income, before housing costs are taken into account, although this has fallen since the peak of 21% in 1992. Lone parents pensioners and children are more likely to live in a low-income household than people of working age who do not have children;
The most wealthy 10% of the population of the UK owned 54% of marketable wealth in 2000, or 72% of marketable wealth excluding the value of dwellings.
V. Birth Outside Marriage
Most of children are born to married couples, but an increasing proportion of births occur outside marriage. 40% of all births in the UK in 2001 occurred outside marriage, around four times the proportion in 1971. Most of this growth is accounted for by the increase in births to cohabiting couples. 82% of births outside marriage in England and Wales in 2001 were jointly registered by both parents. Over three-quarters of these parents were living at the same address. Teenage mothers are more likely to give birth outside marriage. 26% of births to teenage mothers were registered by the mother alone, compared with only 4% of births to women in their late thirties or early forties.
A study conducted by The Sun shows a very surprising discovery. In the last eight years 15 of the 10 teenagers in England and 39 teenage girls who were aged 11 years, known to be pregnant. The study also proved that if 300 girls aged 13 years in England and Wales, registered pregnant each year. Meanwhile, since 2002 registered 63,487 pregnancies experienced by 15-year-old girl, nearly 23 pregnancies in one day. Startling figures released today by The Sun after doing research with community Freedom of Information. These surprising results since 2002 also concluded that if as many as 268 pregnancies experienced by 12-year-old girl, while the 2527 pregnancies experienced by adolescents 13 years and 14,777 pregnancies are also experienced by adolescents 14 years. Most figures actually experienced by adolescents aged 15 years, who are still vulnerable at age pregnancy rate has recorded a number of 45.861. While until now the youngest female adolescents who reported 11-year-old pregnant, while the youngest teens who have given birth in the 12-year-old child.
Birth outside marriage in the UK caused by free sex, influenced their circle and association, least in sex education skills, etc. And that case give the effect for their children, because their children only have a single parent, they will undergo the parent’s mistakes as an illegal child, they will feel less in love and affection from their full parents.
DAFTAR PUSTAKA
Ahmed, Tajbee-,dkk. 2003. UK 2003. London:TSO
Social Trends. Office for National Statistics. The stationery Office
www. Statistic.gov.uk/neighbourhood
www. Socialexclusionunit.gov.uk
