Trends in U.S. Families

NO children? 19% of married couples in the U.S. never have children

The more education a women has, the less likely she is to have children.

Latino women are much less likely to remain childless than white and African American women.

Reason why? Sense of freedom, to be able to change jobs and do spontaneous

things. More money: It costs average middle-income American family

$222,360 to raise a child from birth to 18. (not including college) 22 percent higher than it was in 1960, adjusted for inflation.

Less stress Do not like children

Current trends indicate that the proportion of women who never bear children is likely to increase.

Many childless couples are not childless by choice. Rather they are infertile.

Some adopt and other turn to reproductive technologies.

Discussion What benefits do children offer parents? What are the advantages, if any, in having

children? Is it selfish for married couples to choose

not to have children? Do you see yourself having children in the

future? If not why? If so, how do you think having children will

affect your life?

Figure 16.6

What Percentage of

U.S. Married Women

Never Give Birth?

Source: By the author. Based on Bachu and O’Connell 2000: Table A.Source: By the author. Based on Bachu and O’Connell 2000: Table A.

Postponement of first marriage

Since 1970, the avg. age of first-time brides and grooms has sharply increased. The avg. first-time bride is older than at any other time in U.S.

history. Percentage of unmarried women has doubled since 1970.

However, they have not postponed the age at which they first set up housekeeping with someone of the opposite sex.

Most opt for cohabitation (adults living together in a sexual relationship without being married) instead of marriage. 8 times more common today than 1970 Half of all couple who marry today have lived together before

marriage. Major difference between cohabitation and marriage is

commitment.

Figure 16.9

Cohabitation in the U.S.

Source: By the author. Based on Source: By the author. Based on Statistical Abstract Statistical Abstract 1995: Table 60; 2002: Table 49. 1995: Table 60; 2002: Table 49. Note: Note:

Broken line indicates the author’s estimate.Broken line indicates the author’s estimate.

Figure 16.8: Americans Ages 20-24 Who Have Never Married

Source: By the author. Based on Statistical Abstract 1993: Table 60; 2002: Table 48. *Author’s

estimate.

The role of grandparents About 4% of white children, 7% of Latino

children, and 14% of African American children are cared for by grandparents.

The reason for skipped generation families include parents being incapable of taking care of their children due to Death of parents Parents are ill Parents are homeless Parents are addicted to drugs Parents are in prison

“Sandwich Generation” People, typically between the ages of 40

and 55, who find themselves sandwiched between two generations. Responsible for providing for their children’s needs and caring for their aging parents. Many large companies have begun to offer

elder care assistance to their employees: Seminars Referral services Flexible work schedules

Divorce and children Each year more than 1 million children learn that

their parents are divorcing. Children of divorced parents appear to:

experience psychiatric problems Less likely to complete high school or attend college Do slightly better emotionally than children who grow up in

conflict-ridden homes Studies indicate that adjustment is better if the child

lives with the parent of the same sex. Can count on another “second adult” for support

Grown up children of divorced parents Have less contact with either mother or father Are less likely to marry Are more likely to divorce

Figure 16.11: The “Where” of U.S. Divorce

Source: By the author. Based on Source: By the author. Based on Statistical Abstract Statistical Abstract 2002: Table 111, and earlier editions. 2002: Table 111, and earlier editions.

Note: Data for California, Colorado, Indiana, and Louisiana, based on earlier editions, have been decreased by Note: Data for California, Colorado, Indiana, and Louisiana, based on earlier editions, have been decreased by

the average decrease in U.S. divorce.the average decrease in U.S. divorce.

Divorce Men and women experience divorce differently.

Women are more likely to feel that the divorce is giving them a “new chance” at life.

The spouse that initiates the divorce is usually able to get over it sooner.

Many divorced maintain contact because of children. A few can remain friends and some continue sexual relations.

Financial effects on divorce are usually harder for women, especially mothers with small children. Their standard of living drops a third.

Most eventually remarry, although length of time today is longer than in the past.

Most remarry other divorced people Men are more likely than women to remarry Women who are more educated and independent (no children) are

less likely to remarry than those who have graduated from high school and/or younger mothers.

Divorce rate of remarried people without children is about the same as that of first marriages; remarriages in which children are present; however, are more likely to end in divorce.

Figure 16.12 What Percentage of Americans are Divorced?

Source: By the author. Based on Statistical Abstract 1995: Table 58; 2002: Table 46.

Note: Only these racial-ethnic groups are listed in the source. *author’s estimate.

Figure 16.13 The Probability that Divorced Women Will Remarry in Five Years

Source: By the author. Based on Bramlett and Mosher 2002.

Note: Only these groups are listed in the source.

Figure 16.14 The Marital History of U.S. Brides and Grooms

Source: By the author. Based on Statistical Abstract 2000: Table 145.

The Future of Marriage and the Family Even with all of its problems, the

institution of marriage is “here to stay.” The vast Majority of Americans will continue to

marry and find it vital to their welfare. Patterns of marriage and family life, however,

are subject to change Current trends point to further increase in:

Cohabitation More births to single women Longer postponements of first marriages Greater numbers of married women in the workforce

Discussion Should the legal system make it more

difficult for married couples to obtain a divorce, especially when children are involved?

What rights should be given to children before, during, and following a legal divorce?

What can the society do, if any, to strengthen families and marriages in American society?