The purpose of this paper is to identify how the concept of family has changed over time. Certainly, the notion of family has become more liberated through the "political, social, economic and cultural factors" pertaining to the diversity of the modern day family. These factors are expressed through the exploration of feminism and the vast fundamental changes this movement generated for the role in which women play in society.
The ideology that women belong in families to nurture children and look after the home has been traditionally perpetuated in Australian society (Hughes 1994, p. 162). Previously, marriage was the only acceptable role for women and the alternative; spinsterhood, prostitution or work for low wages was viewed as socially unacceptable (Aspin 1994, p. 42). The dramatic increase in paid workforce participation of women has seen a major shift in the role that women play within society. Consequently, females entering the paid workforce can be seen to be the biggest factor that can be attributed to the change in family structure, size, member's roles and functions performed within the present day family unit. (Edgar, Earle & Fopp 1993, p. 303).
Feminism, a political and social movement to empower women to take control over their lives and situations, achieve economic independence, experience freedom and access higher education is supported by Sarantako's (1996, p. 17) by adding "The set of beliefs in the entitlement of women to emancipation, and the political and social movement which seeks to ensure the achievement of that aim". This movement officially began in Australia in 1969 and generated long term social changes such as equal pay, equal education, safe contraception and the establishment of childcare centers and safe houses for abused women (Gunstone, Matthews, Roy & Watson 1996, p. 80). This illustrates that women have ".redefined their identity as women, daughters, wives/partners and mothers" (Bessant & Watts 1999, p.