This essay will identify how modern society is changing with regards to family structure particularly marriage, cohabitation, stepfamilies and single parents, explaining how this may or may not have an impact on parenting practices. in turn influencing the lives of their children and the formation of their identity. We will also discuss the government's role in helping families and protecting children with regards to current policies and procedures. Also the current perception of childhood and the growing role that the media plays in portraying childhood delinquency. Almost every minute of every hour of every day of the year, a baby is born in Britain (Thomas, B and Dorling, D 2007). For young children, the initial awareness of behavior and morals is learned from the home into which they are born, children watch, learn, and can imitate the conduct of others. Adults' perceptions of good behavior will be strongly influenced by their cultural, religious, social and moral beliefs (Dowling 2005). However, the main role of every parent is to contribute to their child's social development, this is supported through teaching social rules and behavioral expectations. (McCartney & Phillips 2008) Modernity is linked to the rise of capitalism, a society that encourages change and diversity. (Haralambos et al 2004) The 1960s and 1970s were a turning point across Western Europe and perceptions of social standards changed, attitudes towards family structures regarding motherhood, cohabitation marriage and divorce changed. (Hunt 2009) In today's society there are many variations of family units, there are single parents, blended families, mixed race families, unmarried cohabiting parents, married parents and same sex parents. Many differences...... half of the paper......://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2004/june/stepfamiliesHaralambos, M Holborn,M Heald,R.(2004 ) Haralambos and Holborn: sociological themes and perspectives Hunt, S A. (2009) Family Trends: British Families since the 1950's, Suffolk: The Lavenham Press LtdHill, M Tisdall, K.(1997) Children and Society, Essex: Addison Wesley Longman LtdLee, N. (2001) Childhood and Society: Growing up in an Age of Uncertainty, Buckingham: Open University PressMcCartney, K Phillips, D (2008) Early Childhood Development, Oxford: Blackwell PublishingStones, C. (1994) Focus on Families : Family Centers in Action, Hampshire: The MacMillan PressThomas, B Dorling, D (2007) Identity in Britain: A Cradle to Grave Atlas, Bristol: The Policy Press Wyness, M. (2006) Childhood and society: an introduction to sociology of Childhood, Hampshire: Palgrave MacMillan