Families and Marriage in the United States Day Three Unit Five Teacher’s Edition

Today’s Main Idea: Modern marriages are based primarily on love, but there are many reasons for marrying – and as many reasons for divorce. Although the American family provides social and emotional support, violence in this setting is not uncommon. Child abuse spousal abuse are problems in too many American families.

The Nature of American Families: You cannot really describe the typical American family American families tend to follow five trends: #1- Families are nuclear (includes one set of parents and children) #2 – Families are bilateral (heritage is passed through both mother and father)

#3 - Families are democratic (both parents share in the decision making) #4 - Families are neolocal (families live apart from other families) #5 – Families are monogamous

Love and Marriage: 83% of Americans think love is the number one reason to marry This is different around the world – Some countries have arranged marriages – Think the Lion King – Simba and Nala, they grow to love each other

Romantic love is seen as the only acceptable reason for marriage, this is often not true Conformity is a strong motivator for marriage

Society believes marriages solely based on love will not last What do you think?

Marriage Rate: Marriage Rate – the number of marriages per year for every one thousand members of a population

Divorce Rate: Divorce Rate – the number of divorces per year for every one thousand members of a population

What causes divorce? Age – the older you are when you marry the less likely you are to divorce The longer you are married the less likely you are to divorce Quality of relationship – When partners are more flexible and more respectful their relationship is more likely to survive

What does the future of marriage look like? The average age of marriage is on the increase, this will continue Average age of Americans are increasing – older people and lower divorce rates American families are having less children, this equals less stress

Family Violence Seen as shameful and is greatly under reported Many individuals involved deny its existence