Today’s Family Chapter 14. Trends in American Family Life 14:1

Today’s FamilyChapter 14

Trends in American Family Life

14:1

0A family consists of two or more people living in the same house

The Colonial Family

0During the colonial era families and their relatives work, play, and celebrate special events together

The Family During the Industrial Revolution

0During this era the industrial revolution affect the family but being separated from grandparents and other relatives

0Movement from rural areas to large cities was a characteristic of this era

Benefits of Family Living

0Satisfy physical needs0Be a source of protection 0Provide long-lasting relationships0Be a source of love and affection0Provide support and encouragement0Provide companionship

Functions of the Family 14:2

Socializing Children

0Children need to learn what is and is not acceptable behavior

Meeting Physical Needs

0The family is responsible for providing care and protection for family members0 Including health care

Meeting Emotional Needs

0Through the close, intimate relationships within a family, emotional needs are met

Influencing Roles in Society

0Your family can influence the place you take in society

0Your 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

0The 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

0They have both parents present while they grow up

0They have a parental model for both males and female roles

0They have the opportunity to relate socially to both sexes

0They tend to have more family resources available, including financial resources

Parental Roles in a Nuclear Family

0Many times in a nuclear family a mother and father will take a more traditional role of “mothering” and “fathering”

The Single-Parent Family

0A single-parent includes one parent and one or more children

0The single-parent is responsible for all the adult roles in the family

0Children are often given more responsibility in a single-parent family0 They may cook, care for younger siblings and help with

household work0 They have few resources

The Stepfamily

0A stepfamily consists of a husband and wife, one or both of whom have been married before0 Advantage of two parents working together to fill the

parenting role and maintain the home

The Extended Family

0Grandparents, aunts, uncles or cousins0Can offer experience in childrearing and participate in

family activities

0Modified-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

0They do not have the expenses that go with child-rearing

The Adopting Family

0An adopting family has unique challenges to face0 Adjusting to the parenting role

0 Most adopting parents have waited a long time for children0 Sometimes the date of arrival is uncertain and may be sudden

0 Talking to the child about the adoption0 Children should be told early that they were adopted0 They will have questions about their birthparents

The Dual-Career Family

0 In a dual-career family, both the husband and wife pursue careers outside the home with maintaining their family roles

0 If spouses do not agree on how to share household responsibilities and child care task, one spouse may feel overburdened

Single Living14:4

0Single living refers to a lifestyle in which a person lives alone0 This population continues to grow

Reasons for Single Living

0Delaying Marriage0Choosing not to marry

0 Some people do not want the responsibility of marriage or parenting to take away from their careers

0 Changes leading to Single living

Advantages of Single Living

0More freedom and independence0Fewer living expenses0More mobility than married people0Self-confidence in knowing they can take care of

themselves

Concerns of Single People

0Social Relationships0Stereotyped Images

0 Sometimes viewed as self-centered because they purse their own interest