The American Family Chapter 12, Section 2

Marriage Homogamy= marriage between those with similar social characteristics. Heterogamy= marriage between individuals with different social characteristics. Heterogamy has become more prevalent and accepted in American society. The likelihood of heterogamy increases as people interact more with those of different characteristics.

Disruptions Families can be affected by all of the following disruptions to stability: Violence Divorce Empty-nest syndrome Two factors contributing: 1) Looser laws and lower costs; 2) Decreased economic dependence of women.

Trends in the American Family The following are general trends that have affected the American family in recent decades: Delayed marriage Delayed childbearing Sandwich generation take care of both young children and aging adults at the same time (generally mid-thirties). Childlessness Voluntary childlessness couples who are highly educated and have high incomes. Dual-earner families= both male and female work for a living. One-parent families Remarriage