What has happening to the American family? Two main answers: 1. It’s the decline, with negative consequences for all Americans. 2. Change is inevitable and normal, may be for the best, especially for women. “The Changing Demographic of America’s Families” Teachman et al. (2000)

But what has changed?

Marriage: Graph does not show absolute values, but a rate. Picks at the end of World War II, but starts to sharply decline in Steady decline since late 1940s. Stable in the 1960s. Steady decline in the 1970’s. Slight decline in the 1980’s and 90’s (lower levels than during Great Depression). Overall decrease.

But what has changed? Divorce: It picks when marriage picks (at the end of World War II). Stable until mid 1960’s. Increase in the 1970’s. Why? Stable throughout 1980s and 1990s. Overall increase.

Marriage and Ethnicity Who marries and when? Fig.2 White Women African American Women Hispanic Women Who divorces? Fig.3

Childbearing and Childrearing Main points: Nonmarital childbearing Children born outside marriage 1995: 25% Whites 41% Hispanic 70% African Americans

Single Parents Main points: Children living with one single parent at any point in time Fig.4 Married couples have declined as a fraction of all households: 70% in % in 1998 “married households”

Economic Aspects Who has gained? Median family income has decreased, except for _____________. Distribution of family income has become more unequal. New types of families emerging? Where does the threat of family decline falls? Which groups are mostly affected by it?

African Americans and Chinese What historical and sociological factors have contributed to the African Americans particularity? What has contributed to changes in the Chinese family structures? The importance of looking at gender as an explanatory variable.