Study focuses on massive changes in family structure

A GROUNDBREAKING study is to examine the reasons behind some of the fundamental changes in the structure of Irish families since the 1970s.

Funded by the Family Support Agency, the study will be carried out by Dr Margret Fine-Davis of Trinity College Dublin over the next two years.

Since the early 1970s, Ireland has experienced huge changes in the structure of family life, including an increase in the different types of family formations, changes in gender roles and a staggering 50% decrease in the birth rate.