Changing Families and Relationships in the US. Lecture 2 Family Sociology

Changing Families & Relationships in the U.S. How have families changed over time?  Families have become more private spheres  How have the functions performed by families changed?  Social institutions have developed that perform the functions previously carried out by families  In sum, modern families perform fewer functions than families of the past

Changing Families and Relationships in the U.S. Are families in decline or adapting to long term trends? Myths about the past lead to emphasis on decline Sociologist, Andrew Cherlin, argues the breadwinner/homemaker family of the 1950s faded quickly

History of Families in the U.S. Images of the “good old days” are largely myths (Coontz, 2000) Taking a historic, long term approach leads to adaptation conclusion Don’t make comparisons to the 1950s!

Changing Families and Relationships in the U.S. Samantha CharlotteMiranda Carrie

Article by Hymowitz According to the article by Hymowitz, “The New Girl Order,” the “Sex and the City” lifestyle, is going global. What three demographic changes are at the core of this lifestyle shift? First, women—especially, but not only, in the developed world—are getting married and having kids considerably later than ever before.

Article by Hymowitz What three demographic changes are at the core of this lifestyle shift? Second, young people, particularly women, are enrolling in colleges and universities at unprecedented rates. Between 1960 and 2000, the percentages of 20-, 25-, enrolled in school urbanization. more than doubled in the U.S. Third, urbanization -- women more likely to live on their own in cities after finishing school and before getting married.

The Sex & the City Lifestyle MANY women are getting a college education moving to urban areas and starting a career BEFORE marriage This leads to women postponing marriage, getting married at an older age and having sex prior to marriage

Changing Demographic Trends & Families in the U.S. More women are pursuing a college education Single and married women’s labor force participation rates have increased increased  This leads to postponing marriage  Watch this clip of Sex & the City

Why are women postponing marriage? What percentage of Americans over age 25 have a college degree? Only 25% Women are more likely to graduate from college than men Data like these can be found on the U.S. Census website Click American Fact Finder

Changing Demographic Trends & Families in the U.S. Lessened economic dependence of women on men Decline in homemaker role Movement of women into the labor market (esp. married, middle-class mothers) Remember – women probably had less economic independence in the 1950s than 50 years BEFORE

Labor Force Participation Rates of Married Women with Children by Age of Youngest Child, Under age 6 Ages

Changing Demographic Trends & Families in the U.S. In 2004:  76 percent of all married women with school-age children are in the labor force  59 percent of women with preschool-age children are working for pay  In general women are more independent financially – thus less dependent on marriage

Changing Families & Relationships in the U.S. Summary 1) Always take a “long view” when looking at family trends  Don’t just compare today to the 1950s 2) Men and especially women are postponing marriage 3) Women are concentrating on finishing college and starting a career BEFORE marriage 4) And once women DO marry and have children they are more likely than in the past to stay in the labor force Married mothers have high rates of labor force participation