Feminist theories explain that family life is generally based on the notion of patriarchy, with women oppressed and the denial of values ​​and rights (McKie and Callan, 2012). Feminist sociologists refer to "dominant ideologies" as a way of describing those who hold authority or more powerful positions, within society, which can produce a set of ideas that are adopted by those in less powerful positions (Steel, Kidd and brown, 2012). This is evident in the way the nuclear family is structured, as a social norm and people strive to meet this model of family life (McKie and Callan, 2012). Feminist theories explain that the nuclear family is based on male power and the reinforcement of female oppression, as the family is seen as the central institution in the exercise of gender inequality through primary socialization (Steel, Kidd, & Brown, 2012 ). Therefore, feminist theories would explain the decline of the nuclear family as women struggle against the patriarchal order not only within the family, but within society as a whole (Allan and Crow, 2001). Women no longer tolerate oppression within marriages, and due to increased women's rights and more women in the workplace, many women are choosing not to marry or will seek options such as divorce or cohabitation before deciding to get married (Chambers,