Changes in social structure significantly impact family structure in multiple ways. The family has different structures that change over time, either accidentally (such as war or migration for work) or purposely (such as choosing one's own spouse or expressing same-sex love openly).

The internal structure of the family is closely related to other structures of society, namely political, economic, and cultural structures. For instance, the migration of men from Himalayan villages in search of work has led to an unusual proportion of women-headed families in those villages. This demonstrates how economic changes directly affect family composition.

Similarly, changes in work patterns influence family arrangements. The demanding work schedules of young parents in the software industry in India have led to increasing numbers of grandparents moving in as care-givers to young grandchildren. This shows how occupational changes can reshape family structure from nuclear to extended forms.

The family, representing the private sphere, is fundamentally linked to the public spheres of economy, politics, culture, and education. When these broader social structures undergo transformation, the family inevitably adapts. Changes in family structures also bring about changes in cultural ideas, norms, and values, though such changes are often resisted violently.

Thus, the composition and structure of families change in relation to wider changes in society, demonstrating the interconnected nature of social institutions.