In this essay the author will discuss the development of Irish family politics. It will deal with this starting from the publication in 1998 of the report ''Strengthening families for life''. A definition of family will also be given. It will also make the reader more aware of what family is and the different types of families that exist in today's society. The changes and challenges for the future of the family will be examined, as well as relational difficulties. Family policy will be defined and what its effects will be. This essay aims to provide the reader with a better insight into recent developments in Irish family policy. In today's society a family is considered a group of two or more people who may be related by blood, adoption, passage or foster care, marriage and who generally live together in the same house. Also taken into consideration are newly married couples without children, single mothers or fathers with children, gay partners, couples with dependents, cohabiting siblings and several other types. One person in the household must be over 15 years of age (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006). Traditionally, a family was considered a support group consisting of two married individuals who provided support, care, and stability to their biological children. This was known as the nuclear family. However, in recent years these two-parent families have become rarer. Blended and adoptive families have become increasingly popular. The extended family consists of grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. In some families the extended family may live with a member of a nuclear family. This type of family is becoming increasingly rare. The most popular types have joined recently. Families like, mixed, gay pa...... middle of paper ......ly.ie/policy-campaigns/facts-figures/ [accessed 20 April 2014].Family life (2013). Healthy children.org [online], available: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/types-of-families/Pages/Gay-and-Lesbian-Parents.aspx [accessed 20 April 2014].Family Structure (nd) boundless [online], available: https://www.boundless.com/sociology/definition/family-structure/ [accessed 20 April 2014].Social security investing in human capital (nd ) International Social Security Association [online], available: http://www.issa.int/ [accessed 20 April 2014].The free dictionary by farlex (2003) single-parent families [online], available: http: //www.thefreedictionary.com/one-parent+family [accessed 20 April 2014].TV3 (2013) 'Blended families' advice [online], available: https://www.tv3.ie/ireland_am_article.php? article=103081 [accessed April 20 2014].