Chapter 11 The Changing Family

Defining Family A family is a relationship in which people: Live together with commitment Form an economic unit Care for the young Consider the group critical to their identity Traditional family based on kinship: © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Defining Family Prior to industrialization extended family was common: Network of people based on common ancestry, marriage or adoption Prior to industrialization extended family was common: But today in industrial society most are nuclear families © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Current Views on the Family Family today has changed from family of the past: Marriage is no longer a cultural imperative Cohabitation The family is adapting to societal changes: And people remain committed to marriage as evidenced by serial monogamy © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Figure 11.1 U.S. Household by type, 1970 and 2010 © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Singlehood Singlehood continues to increase in U.S. Reasons people choose singlehood: Greater freedom from commitment More career opportunities Desire for self-sufficiency and freedom to change Some people are involuntarily single: © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Singlehood Varies greatly by race and ethnicity By necessity Many more African American males and females have never been married compared to whites By necessity Economic reasons prevents many young, working-class people from marrying because: They can’t afford to set up their own household © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Postponing Marriage Median age for first marriage has increased Reasons for postponing marriage: Economic uncertainty; concern about divorce Women increasing participation in labor force Sexual relationships outside marriage are more acceptable; contraception more effective © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Cohabitation and Domestic Partnership Two unmarried adults living together in a sexual relationship without legal marriage Some times a step in the dating process Mixed results on it’s relationship to marital success © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Cohabitation and Domestic Partnership Domestic Partnerships A legal move by states to allow some people similar rights and benefits as married couples Common among gay and lesbian couples who can’t legally marry in most states: Although preference is still for same sex marriage which accords more rights to the couple © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Dual-Earner Marriage Marriages in which both spouses are in the labor force More common among minority families Many women in these marriages end up doing the “second shift” Women do about 1 extra month more of work each year than their husbands © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Two Parent vs. Single Parent Homes A very conflicted 2 parent home is worse than a supportive single parent home Effects of a single parent household on children Negatives Positives © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Child Related Family Issues Reproductive freedom: Very controversial topic related to contraceptive use as well as abortion Has both personal and social consequences. Infertility and Reproductive Technologies: Many new technologies to help them, but don’t always work © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Teen Pregnancy The teen birthrate is higher in the U.S. than any other high-income nation Largest increase in African American girls Likely to drop out of school Have no social support outside of family Children from teen moms have limited opportunities © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Figure 11.2 U.S. Birthrate for Women Aged 15-19 Years by Race/Ethnicity 2005-2009 © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Divorce and Remarriage We have a high rate of divorce in the U.S. Factors affect likelihood of divorce Race and ethnicity Even though divorce rates are high: Remarriage rates are also high in the U.S. creating many blended families © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Domestic Violence Child Abuse: Spouse Abuse: Neglect that is physical, mental, sexual or negligent treatment of a child under 18 Much remains hidden unless serious injury/death Spouse Abuse: Historically it was ignored and tolerated Women more likely to be victims © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Perspectives on Family Functionalist and Conservative Family provides social order and economic stability Family is the solution to many societal problems Dysfunctional families threaten well-being of individuals and society © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Perspectives on Family Conflict and Feminist Family as a major source of inequality and conflict Family reproduces inequality that exists in larger society Reinforces patriarchy and female subordination © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Perspectives on Family Symbolic Interactionists Focus on how family members play their diverse roles Problems occur because: Men & women experience marriage differently Unrealistic expectations about love and marriage © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.