What is an American Family? Intro Class

What is a family?

Recent trends in American family life: getting married at a later age having kids at a later age having fewer kids high divorce rates –more single-parent homes increase in cohabitation –more out-of-wedlock births majority of mothers work outside the home children at risk through rising rates of: –teen suicide –teen births –addiction –violence

Why? Why? Why?

Three Views Conservative Explanation Liberal Explanation Feminist Explanation

Conservative Explanation Cultural and Moral Weakening Family Breakdown, Divorce, Family Decline Father Absence, School Failure, Poverty, Crime, Drug Use

Liberal Explanation Changing Economic Structure Changing Family and Gender Roles Diverse Effects: Poor vs. Productive Children

Feminist Explanation Lack of Cooperation among Community, Family, and Work Families Where Adults Are Stressed and Overburdened Children Lack Sufficient Care and Attention from Parents