Which theorist? Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development or Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence a theory of how people form what they think is right and wrong People possess different kinds of minds and therefore learn, remember, perform, and understand in different ways

What is Family?

Family Life Cycle Beginning Stage – Newlyweds Childbearing Stage - Expanding Parenting Stage- Developing Launching Stage- Middle Age Mid-Years Stage-Pre-Retirement 55-64 Aging Stage- Retirement 65+

What Situations could occur to change the family life cycle? Individuals choose not to marry Individuals whose spouses die or leave Couples choose not to, or find they are unable to, have children Families skip, overlap, or repeat stages, which creates new sequences Families have additional children several years after first group of children Families decide to adopt after their children are in the launching stage Families are involved in second marriages; two families blend and stages are repeated

Look at Changes in Families Early Families Families Today How are family structures different today than they were in 1960?   Who is the oldest person living in your family? Think of your family stories and record them now – so you will not forget What do we know about early families in the US? primarily rural trans-generational, extended families lived together strong sense of duty to family – oldest son typically inherited farm and the responsibility of caring for entire family communities close – neighbors helped each other social functions tied to church – look at rural churches, many have cemeteries and community halls attached families large – no birth control and farm families needed lots of children to work and to replace children who died births were not easy – women gave birth at home, many died in child birth – or from diseases such as influenza there were single parents – due to death and desertion – few divorces, which were scandalous Two characteristics, according to Lance and Synder of the early American family: familism – family more important that the individual members – individual needs submitted to the needs of the family Where are we today? Much debate of move back to familism from individualization – 80’s time of “follow your bliss” authoritarian – father and son dominated decision making – male dominated Look at changes through the 20th century Contrast families of 1950s with 2010’s – p. 15 text Look at top rated TV shows featuring families 1950 – I love Lucy 2010 – Modern Family

What do we know about early families in the US?   trans-generational, extended families lived together strong sense of duty to family – oldest son typically inherited farm and the responsibility of caring for entire family communities close – neighbors helped each other social functions tied to church – look at rural churches, many have cemeteries and community halls attached families large – no birth control and farm families needed lots of children to work and to replace children who died births were not easy – women gave birth at home, many died in child birth – or from diseases such as influenza there were single parents – due to death and desertion – few divorces, which were scandalous

Characteristics of Early Families Familism – family more important than the individual members – individual needs submitted to the needs of the family Where are we today? Much debate of move back to familism from individualization – 80’s time of “follow your bliss”   authoritarian – father and son dominated decision making – male dominated  

Contrast Families in 1950s to 2010s – look at popular TV shows about families, such as “I Love Lucy” and “Modern Family” How are they different? Look at changes through the 20th century Contrast families of 1950s with 2010’s Look at top rated TV shows featuring families 1950 – I love Lucy 2010 – Modern Family  

Household Types Through the Years Look at changes over time of family structures through census data – see chart on Power Point

What has increased? Diversity Singles Cohabitation Dual Careers Remarriages Single Parents Older Parents Stress Life Expectancy Family Connections Family Communication through technology What has increased?   Diversity in marriage – civil unions, partnerships and gay marriages, blended, Singlehood – people marrying later – late 20s In 1900, 1.1% of population lived alone In 2008, 10.3% of population lived alone Cohabitation – up 500% Dual Career Families – both partners with careers not just dual earner Remarriages – blended families Single parents – 1960 – 5.3% of babies born to single women 2005 – 36.8% 2009 – 40% 2011 – 41% Older mothers more births to women 35 and older than to teenagers, Teen Pregnancy down for most groups - birth rate to Black teenagers down by half – up for Hispanic teenagers births to women 40 and older now make up 4% of all births Stress – Due to changing economy – Unemployment rates up – 2009 – of married couples with children, 6% of fathers unemployed in 09 vs. 3% in 07; unemployed mothers 4% in 09 compared to 2% in 07 Unmarried parents – 16% unemployed fathers in 09 compared to 9% in 07; unemployed mothers 8% in 09 vs. 4% in 07 Poverty associated with single parents – Percentage of children living with two parents varies by race and origin (2009) 85% Asian 78% White, non Hispanic 60% Hispanic 38% Black Life Expectancy – Longer marriages, now more divorces among older couples More pressures on Sandwich Generation – those who care for their parents and children at the same time More issues caring for older parents Family connections through technology – cell phones, texting, Facebook, Skype

How have families become more diverse? civil unions, partnerships and gay marriages, blended

Statistically are people marrying at a younger or older age? Older: people are establishing themselves, going to college, finding a career before marrying

How does remarriage affect the family unit? Time spent Getting along with step parent/siblings Changes in routines More people in the household at times

Has the rate of single parents declined or increased since 1960? 1960 – 5.3% of babies born to single women 2005 – 36.8% 2009 – 40% 2011 – 41% Why do you think this has changed?

How do families stay connected? Text, Skype, social media

What has Decreased? Family Size Divorce Family Communication (face to face) What has decreased?   Family size – Average size of family now 2.2 where typical household in 1790 was 5.8 Divorce – peaked in 1984, slight decline since then Face to face communication – more people are communicating through technology and less time is spent in person

Abandonment – When a person who has assumed responsibility for the care of an older adult or child deserts or leaves

Types of Family Structures Nuclear Single-parent Blended/Step-Family Adoptive Foster Multi-Generational Same-Sex Parents Unmarried Partners/Cohabitating Extended Grandparent Family Childless Multi-Racial/Cultural

Types of Families Nuclear Family Includes husband, wife, and one or more of their biological children.

Types of Families Multi-Generational Family More than two generations of families living together For example: children, their parent and grandparents living together

Types of Families Grandparent Family: Family in which the grandparents are the sole caregivers of the child

Types of Families Blended/Step Families: Includes married couple, each spouse’s children from previous relationships, and any children they have together

Types of Families Extended Family: Family unit that serves as a substitute family, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins

Types of Families Adoptive Family: Parents and one or more children that are permanently and legally added to the family. These families can be nuclear, blended, single-parent, or extended

Types of Families Foster Family: Family unit that serves as a substitute family for child. These families can be nuclear, blended, single-parent, or extended

Types of Families Unmarried/Cohabitating Couples two unmarried people living together for a long period of time or on a permanent basis

Types of Families Married Couples Family Married couple who has no children

Types of Families Single Parent Family headed by mothers, fathers, or by a grandparent raising children as the primary adult

How would you parent? Write down how you would react to the following parenting situations. Think about how you would really handle this situation, not how you think others would want you to handle it. BE READY TO SHARE. 1) Your four-year old uses inappropriate language in front of others. 2) Your seven-year old brings home their friend’s toy that they like without their friend’s permission. 3) Your fifteen-year-old teenager wants their curfew changed to midnight. 4) Your twelve-year old refuses to do their household chores. 5.) For the third straight month your sixteen-year old has gone over their cell phone minutes and the expense is more than you can afford.