Over time, the traditional structure has had to adapt to very influential changes, including divorce and the introduction of single-parent families, teenage pregnancy and unwed mothers, and same-sex marriage, and increased interest in adoption. Social movements such as the feminist movement and the stay-at-home dad have contributed to the creation of alternative family forms, generating new versions of the American family.
Nuclear family
For more details on this topic, see Nuclear family.
The nuclear family
has been considered the "traditional" family since the communist scare
in the cold war of the 1950s. The nuclear family consists of a mother,
father, and the children. The two-parent nuclear family has become less
prevalent, and pre-American and European family forms have become more
common.[1]
These include homosexual relationships, single-parent households,
adopting individuals, and extended family systems living together. The
nuclear family is also choosing to have fewer children than in the past.[3]
The percentage of married-couple households with children under 18 has
declined to 23.5% of all households in 2000 from 25.6% in 1990, and from
45% in 1960.Single parent
For more details on this topic, see Single parent.
See also: Teenage pregnancy
A single parent
(also termed lone parent or sole parent) is a parent who cares for one
or more children without the assistance of the other biological parent.
Historically, single-parent families often resulted from death of a
spouse, for instance in childbirth. Single-parent homes are increasing
as married couples divorce, or as unmarried couples have children.
Although widely believed to be detrimental to the mental and physical
well being of a child, this type of household is tolerated.[4]The percentage of single-parent households has doubled in the last three decades, but that percentage tripled between 1900 and 1950.[5] The sense of marriage as a "permanent" institution has been weakened, allowing individuals to consider leaving marriages more readily then they may have in the past.[6] Increasingly single parent families are due to out of wedlock births, especially those due to unintended pregnancy.
Step Families
Stepfamilies are becoming more familiar in America. Divorce rates are rising and the remarriage rate is rising as well, therefore, bringing two families together making step families. Statistics show that there are 1,300 new stepfamilies forming every day. Over half of American families are remarried, that is 75% of marriages ending in divorce, remarry.[7]Extended family
For more details on this topic, see Extended family.
The extended family
consists of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. In some
circumstances, the extended family comes to live either with or in place
of a member of the nuclear family. An example includes elderly parents
who move in with their children due to old age. This places large
demands on the caregivers, particularly the female relatives who choose
to perform these duties for their extended family.[8]Historically, among certain Asian and Native American cultures the family structure consisted of a grandmother and her children, especially daughters, who raised their own children together and shared child care responsibilities. Uncles, brothers, and other male relatives sometimes helped out. Romantic relationships between men and women were formed and dissolved with little impact on the children who remained in the mother's extended family.
Roles and relationships
Married partners
For more details on this topic, see Marriage in the United States.
A married couple was defined as a "husband and wife enumerated as members of the same household" by the U.S. Census Bureau,[9]
but they will be categorizing same-sex couples as married couples if
they are married. Same-sex couples who were married were previously
recognized by the Census Bureau as unmarried partners.[10] Same-sex marriage is legally permitted in 19 U.S. states, 8 Native American Tribal Jurisdictions, and the District of Columbia. Limited recognition has been granted to out-of-state same-sex marriages in Alaska, Colorado,[11] Missouri, Utah, and Ohio.[12] Polygamy is illegal throughout the U.S.[13] Although Cousin marriages are illegal in most states, they are legal in many states, the District of Columbia
and some territories. Some states have some restrictions or exceptions
for cousin marriages and/or recognize such marriages performed
out-of-state. Since the 1940s, the United States marriage rate has
decreased, whereas rates of divorce have increased.[14]Unwed partners
See also: Cohabitation in the United States
Living as unwed partners is also known as cohabitation.
The number of heterosexual unmarried couples in the United States has
increased tenfold, from about 400,000 in 1960 to more than five million
in 2005.[15] This number would increase by at least another 594,000 if same-sex partners were included.[15] Of all unmarried couples, about 1 in 9 (11.1% of all unmarried-partner households) are homosexual.[15] The cohabitation lifestyle is becoming more popular in today's generation.[16]
It is more convenient for couples not to get married because it can be
cheaper and simpler. As divorce rates rise in society, the desire to get
married is less attractive for couples uncertain of their long-term
plans.[15]Parents
Parents can be either the biological mother or biological father, or the legal guardian for adopted children. Traditionally, mothers were responsible for raising the kids while the father was out providing financially for the family. The age group for parents ranges from teenage parents to grandparents who have decided to raise their grandchildren, with teenage pregnancies fluctuating based on race and culture.[17] Older parents are financially established and generally have less problems raising children compared to their teenage counterparts.[18]Housewives
For more details on this topic, see Housewife.
A housewife
is a married woman with who does not work outside of the home for
income but stays and takes care of the home and children. This includes
doing the cooking, washing, cleaning, etc. The roles of women working
within the house has changed drastically as more women start to pursue
careers. The amount of time women spend doing housework declined from 27
hours per week in 1965 to less than 16 hours in 1995, but it is still
substantially more housework than their male partners.[19]"Breadwinners"
For more details on this topic, see Breadwinner model.
A breadwinner
is the main financial provider in the family. Historically the husband
has been the breadwinner; that trend is changing as wives start to take
advantage of the women's movement to gain financial independence for themselves. According to the New York Times, "In 2001, wives earned more than their spouses in almost a third of married households where the wife worked."[20]
Yet, even within nuclear families in which both spouses are employed
outside of the home, many men are still responsible for a substantially
smaller share of household duties.[21]Stay-at-home dads
For more details on this topic, see Stay-at-home dad.
Stay-at-home dads are fathers that do not participate in the labor
market and raise their children—the male equivalent to housewives.
Stay-at-home dads are not as popular in American society.[22]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, "There are an estimated 105,000
'stay-at-home' dads. These are married fathers with children under 15
who are not in the labor force primarily so they can care for family
members while their wives work outside the home. Stay-at-home dads care
for 189,000 children."[23]Children
See also: family planning
Only child families
An only child (single child) is one without any biological or adopted brothers or sisters. Single children are stereotypically portrayed as spoiled, self-centered, and selfish. Single children often excel more in school and in their careers than children with siblings.[19]Childfree and Childlessness
Childfree couples chose to not have children. These include young couples, who intend to have children later, as well as those who do not plan to have any children.Involuntary childlessness may be caused by infertility, medical problems, death of a child, or other factors.
Adopted children
Adopted children are children that were given up at birth, abandoned or were unable to be cared for by their biological parents. They may have been put into foster care before finding their permanent residence. It is particularly hard for adopted children to get adopted from foster care: only 50,000 children were adopted in 2001.[24] The average age of these children was 7 years old, which shows that fewer older children were adopted.[24]source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_structure_in_the_United_States
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