Chapter Preview 4 Chapter Preview · Section 4 Changes in Marriage and Family (pages 371–380) Many new patterns of marriage and family living have emerged in the United States. In spite of these new arrangements, the traditional nuclear family is not going to be replaced on a broad scale.

Describe the variety of family arrangements in America. Analyze projected future changes in the American family. Objectives :

Attitudes About Families Link

A.A B.B C.C D.D Section 4-Polling Question What other types of families exists outside of the nuclear family? A.Blended families B.Single-parent families C.Child-free families D.All of the above

Section 4 Blended Families A blended family is formed when at least one of the partners in a marriage has been married before and has a child or children from the previous marriage.blended family About 32% of households in the U.S. contain biologically unrelated individuals.

Section 4 Blended Families (cont.) Three major problems facing blended families: –Money difficulties –Stepchildren unhappiness –Unclear roles of stepparents

A.A B.B C.C D.D Section 4 What major problems face blended families? A.Money difficulties B.Stepchildren’s antagonism C.Unclear roles D.All of the above

Section 4 Single-Parent Families One out of four American families is a single-parent family. Most of these are headed by women. More affluent unmarried women are choosing to have children and care for them alone. Approximately 30% of America’s children (people under 18) live in households with one parent.

Section 4 Single-Parent Families (cont.) Adolescents (ages 12–17) who live with only one parent or a stepparent are more likely to display deviant behavior.Adolescents Percentage of Single-Parent Families: 1970–2003

Figure 11.8 Percentage of Single-Parent Families: 1970–2003 Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2004–2005.

Transparency 4

A.A B.B C.C D.D Section 4 Do you feel that one of the reasons that most single-parent households are led by women is that courts tend to award custody to the mother over the father in cases such as divorce? A.Very much so B.Somewhat C.Not very much D.Not at all

Section 4 Childless Marriages Around 19% of American women who have ever been married did not have children in 2002, which shows a 4% increase since Reasons for choosing not to have children are varied, including aspects such as career, moral issues, and physical problems with becoming pregnant. Article

A.A B.B C.C D.D Section 4 How important is it to you to have children? A.Very important B.Somewhat important C.Not very important D.Not important at all

Section 4 Dual-Employed Marriages Dual-employed marriages—Special strains are put on a marriage when both parents work outside the home.Dual-employed marriages Drawbacks: –Women work about 15 hours a week more than men in this situation. –They must cope with role conflict.

Section 4 Dual-Employed Marriages (cont.) –Men also feel the effects of role conflict and excessive demands on their time. Advantages: –The psychological well-being of women has improved. –Men may have issues with confidence if the wife earns more.

Section 4 Dual-Employed Marriages (cont.) Advantages: –Work outside the home provides a social and emotional cushion for women when their children leave home. –Other members of the family benefit from a wife’s employment.

Section 4 Dual-Employed Marriages (cont.) –Sons and daughters can view their mother as a role model regarding employment. –Men can gain freedom from the strain of being the sole provider. –Men can feel more free to change jobs. –They can also continue their education.

Transparency 5

A.A B.B C.C D.D Section 4 Do you feel there is a positive side to dual employment in a marriage? A.Very much so B.Somewhat C.Not very much D.Not at all

Section 4 Cohabitation Cohabitation is a situation when someone lives with another person in a marriage-like arrangement without the legal obligations and responsibilities of a formal marriage.Cohabitation

Section 4 Cohabitation (cont.) Cohabitation is on the rise, but the statistics are not encouraging: –Only about 25% of cohabitating couples stay together more than 4 years. –There is a high rate of abuse among cohabitating women. –Premarital cohabitation is associated with a higher risk of divorce.

A.A B.B C.C D.D Section 4 Do you agree with the following statement: “Cohabitating couples tend not to fare as well once they are married?” A.Always B.Sometimes C.Never D.Not sure

Section 4 Same-Sex Domestic Partners Gay people make up about 10% of the U.S. population, and account for 6% of American households. They are still fighting to achieve the same benefits as legally married couples.

A.A B.B C.C D.D Section 4 What are some of the reasons that gay activists and their supporters have fought to achieve the same rights for gay couples as married couples? A.The tax benefits B.Spouse’s health insurance policy C.Both A & B D.None of the above

Section 4 Single Life More than 29 million Americans over the age of 15 now live alone, an increase of 61% since The implication is that many young adults wish to expand their “freedom” after leaving home and are unwilling to rush into the responsibilities of marriage and parenthood.

A.A B.B C.C D.D Section 4 Do you feel that living alone for awhile is healthy? A.Very much so B.Somewhat C.Not very much D.Not at all

Section 4 Boomerang Kids Boomerang kids—This term refers to young adults who either leave home and return or stay at home and live with parents.Boomerang kids More than 26% of adults now live with one or both parents.

Section 4 Boomerang Kids (cont.) Reasons for living at home: –Young adults are marrying later. –They are continuing their education. –They return home after completing their education due to the cost of living that outstrips their earning capacity. –Young adults return home after a divorce.

Section 4 Boomerang Kids (cont.) However, most families seem to adjust well to this situation. Consequences: –Expense of having someone else move in, especially if he/she does not help financially. –Lack of privacy for the parents. –The adult child might feel like a burden and must give up some freedom.

A.A B.B C.C D.D Section 4 How strongly do you feel about adult children who might need to move back in with their parents? A.Very strongly B.Somewhat strongly C.Not very strongly D.Not strongly at all

Looking Forward A very high percentage of Americans marry at some point, and although Americans have been experimenting with alternative living arrangements, the nuclear family still remains a popular choice. Even in two-parent households, the pattern in which the wage-earning father supports a work-at- home mother has decreased substantially. 25% compared to 60% in The trend toward more working parents will produce its own strains and rewards. The question is not whether the family will survive, but what form it will take. The aging of the American population will probably place additional strains on American families, such as the need to care for both children and parents. Changes in Marriage and Family

A.A B.B C.C D.D Section 4 What type of family (or lack thereof) do you envision for yourself? A.Blended Families B.Single-Parent Families C.Dual-Employed Marriages D.Cohabitation

Closing White Board Activity

Section 4-End

Vocab26 blended family a family formed when at least one of the partners in a marriage has been married before and has a child or children from a previous marriage

Vocab27 adolescents youths from the ages of twelve to seventeen

Vocab28 dual-employed marriages marriages in which both spouses work outside the home

Vocab29 cohabitation a marriagelike living arrangement without the legal obligations and responsibilities of formal marriage

Vocab30 boomerang kids adult children who return to the home of origin or who continue to live with parents