Today’s Family Chapter 14

Trends in American Family Life 14:1

A family consists of two or more people living in the same house

The Colonial Family During the colonial era families and their relatives work, play, and celebrate special events together

The Family During the Industrial Revolution During this era the industrial revolution affect the family but being separated from grandparents and other relatives Movement from rural areas to large cities was a characteristic of this era

Benefits of Family Living Satisfy physical needs Be a source of protection Provide long-lasting relationships Be a source of love and affection Provide support and encouragement Provide companionship

Functions of the Family 14:2

Socializing Children Children need to learn what is and is not acceptable behavior

Meeting Physical Needs The family is responsible for providing care and protection for family members Including health care

Meeting Emotional Needs Through the close, intimate relationships within a family, emotional needs are met

Influencing Roles in Society Your family can influence the place you take in society Your family gives you your cultural identity, too. This is the way you see yourself as a member of your specific cultural group

Family Structures 14:3

The Nuclear Family The most traditional family structure in this society is the nuclear family. This family consist of children who were born into the family or adopted. Neither parent has children from a previous marriage.

Benefits of the Nuclear Family They have both parents present while they grow up They have a parental model for both males and female roles They have the opportunity to relate socially to both sexes They tend to have more family resources available, including financial resources

Parental Roles in a Nuclear Family Many times in a nuclear family a mother and father will take a more traditional role of “mothering” and “fathering”

The Single-Parent Family A single-parent includes one parent and one or more children The single-parent is responsible for all the adult roles in the family Children are often given more responsibility in a single-parent family They may cook, care for younger siblings and help with household work They have few resources

The Stepfamily A stepfamily consists of a husband and wife, one or both of whom have been married before Advantage of two parents working together to fill the parenting role and maintain the home

The Extended Family Grandparents, aunts, uncles or cousins Can offer experience in childrearing and participate in family activities Modified-extended family – relatives live near one another, but not with each other; they are involved in each other’s lives, helping when needed

The Childless Family They do not have the expenses that go with child-rearing

The Adopting Family An adopting family has unique challenges to face Adjusting to the parenting role Most adopting parents have waited a long time for children Sometimes the date of arrival is uncertain and may be sudden Talking to the child about the adoption Children should be told early that they were adopted They will have questions about their birthparents

The Dual-Career Family In a dual-career family, both the husband and wife pursue careers outside the home with maintaining their family roles If spouses do not agree on how to share household responsibilities and child care task, one spouse may feel overburdened

Single Living 14:4

Single living refers to a lifestyle in which a person lives alone This population continues to grow

Reasons for Single Living Delaying Marriage Choosing not to marry Some people do not want the responsibility of marriage or parenting to take away from their careers Changes leading to Single living

Advantages of Single Living More freedom and independence Fewer living expenses More mobility than married people Self-confidence in knowing they can take care of themselves

Concerns of Single People Social Relationships Stereotyped Images Sometimes viewed as self-centered because they purse their own interest