Chapter 12 Family

Chapter Outline  Marriage and Family: Basic Institutions of Society  The U.S. Family Over the Life Course  Roles and Relationships in Marriage  Contemporary Family Choices  Problems in the American Family

Universal Functions of the Family 1. Replacement through reproduction. 2. Regulation of sexual behavior. 3. Economic responsibility for children, the disabled, the elderly, and the ill.

Universal Functions of the Family 4. Socialization of the young. 5. Status ascription. 6. The provision of intimacy, a sense of belonging, and emotional support.

The Life Course  Childhood - norms call for children to be sheltered but about 1 in 5 children are raised in poverty and suffer abuse.  Adolescence - a time of role strain and inner uncertainty.  Transition to adulthood - marked by right of passage.

The Life Course  Marriage and divorce - 95 % of Americans marry by age 45.  Middle age - between the ages of 45 and 65.  Age 65 and beyond.

The Sexual Side of Courtship  In the 1950s, people had sex when they intended to marry.  Today, young people are more likely to engage in sexual activity and girls have become more sexually experienced.

Intergenerational Bonds 1. Youth and parents contend with the generation gap. 2. Adults and their parents tend to remain bonded. 3. Grandparents and grandchildren often form important and persistent bonds.

Roles and Relationships in Marriage  Gender roles American norms continue to make the husband the primary breadwinner.  Sexual roles Women are as likely to engage in affairs as men.

Mothering Versus Fathering  A father’s attachment to the workforce grows stronger in marriage while that of women is lessened.  The burden of childcare remains mainly “women’s work” even though fathers are more inclined to help if not to take responsibility.

% Births to Unmarried Women, Selected Countries: 1970– United States Bulgaria Denmark Italy2469 Netherlands Sweden Switzerland45610

% Births to Unmarried Women, Selected Countries: 1970– United States Bulgaria Denmark Italy2469 Netherlands Sweden Switzerland45610 United Kingdom

Step Parenting  An inevitable effect of high divorce and re-marriage rates.  Between 25 and 30% of children will live with a stepparent before age 18.  Often, the good intentions of a stepparent are rejected by both the children and the spouse.

Marital Happiness  Reaches a peak during the honeymoon period.  Declines during the active middle years.  Increases again for older married couples.

Cohabitation  About 55% of couples have lived together before marriage.  Evidence suggests that cohabitation does not enhance the chances of marital happiness.

Having Children  1/3 of births are to unmarried women.  Surgical and chemical interventions can help some couples overcome problems of infertility.  Women may remain childless into their thirties or forties.

Violence in the Family  Each year, 1.5 million children are known to be sexually, physically, or emotionally abused by their parents or caregivers.  22% of women and 7% of men have been assaulted by a spouse or cohabitant of the opposite sex.  Occurs in homes of all classes and races.

Changing Probability of Divorce,

Probability of First Marriage Breaking up within First 10 Years % Ending in Divorce Total23% Age at Marriage < – – or over24

Probability of First Marriage Breaking up within First 10 Years % Ending in Divorce Total23% Education Less than 12 years42 12 years36 13 years or more29

Probability of First Marriage Breaking up within First 10 Years % Ending in Divorce Total23% Children before marriage No31 Yes50 Parents are divorced Yes43 No29

Factors Predictive of Divorce 1. Marrying young. 2. Having parents who got divorced. 3. Bearing a child before marriage.

Factors Predictive of Divorce 4. Low level of education. 5. Race. 6. Abusive, violent, or addictive behavior by one or both spouses.