Trends in Families

Age of brides The average age of US brides is the oldest it has been since records were kept About double what it was in 1970 Many postpone marriage but not cohabitation

Cohabitation Living together as an unmarried couple about 60% of couples who marry have cohabitated Commitment is the difference Marriage assumes permanence Cohabitation assumes remaining together “as long as things work out”

Sandwich generation Refers to people who are sandwiched between 2 generations Care for children as well as aging parents Typically between age 40-55 More businesses are offering elder care assistance to their employees

Divorce The US has the highest divorce rate in the industrialized world At least 50% of all couples getting married today will eventually divorce

Divorce and Children Grown children of divorce feel more distant from parents than do children from intact families Less likely to marry and more likely to divorce Children’s adjustment is affected by the relationship their mothers formed after divorce Mothers who had single stable relationships after divorce had the best adjustment

Adjusting the divorce Factors that help kids adjust: Both parents show understanding and affection The parent whom the child lives with is making a good adjustment Family routines are consistent Family has adequate money for its needs The child lives with the parent of the same sex

The serial father Divorced fathers tend to live with, support, and play an active fathering role with children of the women to whom they are currently married or with whom they are currently living Over time contact with their children from a previous marriage or relationship diminishes 1/6 of kids who live apart from their fathers see them as often as every week

Divorce as a “new chance” Women are more likely to than men to see divorce as a new chance at life Divorce = economic hardship for women and a higher standard of living for men

Remarriage Most eventually remarry with an average period between divorce and remarriage of about 5 years for women Most remarry other divorced people Women with small children or with < a HS degree most likely remarry Men are more likely to remarry than women Divorce rate for remarried people w/o kids is the same as the 1st marriage Those who bring kids into the new marriage are more likely to divorce again

Dark side of family life Events people don’t talk about Battering, child abuse, incest Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women More than 5 children die every day as a result of child abuse

The future of marriage and family Despite its problems, marriage is not likely to disappear as a social institution It is likely that cohabitation with increase, as will the age at first marriage