2.12 Equally fundamental changes are evident in social life and communities, and these present different challenges for lifelong learning. Patterns of family life now show greater diversity, including the growth of single parent families and single person households. Families are generally smaller and more mobile than in the past. Within families and beyond, roles and relationships are also being modified, especially by shifts in women's experiences and expectations, by increases in longevity and longer periods of retirement from paid employment. There are profound changes too in the relationships between generations, including the increased responsibilities many have for providing care.

2.13 There are changes too in forms and patterns of leisure and consumption, in lifestyles generally, in cultural and recreational pursuits and in the whole make-up of the population. Many Black and Asian people are now second and third generation citizens in this country, with consequent implications for the need to recognise a wide range of racial and ethnic cultures, differences of values and religion and varieties of tradition and outlook. This needs to be fully reflected in provision for lifelong learning. All of this is against a background of a continuing need to oppose racism and promote greater tolerance and mutual respect between people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.

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