The Glass Castle Family Dynamic

Families Today... Source 2013 Census Report Sixty-four percent of children under 18 lived with two married parents in 2012. In 2012, 24 percent of children lived with only their mothers, 4 percent lived with only their fathers, and 4 percent lived with neither of their parents. Four percent of all children lived with two unmarried parents in 2012. Among children living with two parents, 92 percent lived with both of their biological or adoptive parents, and 8 percent lived with a biological or adoptive parent and a stepparent. About 70 percent of children in stepparent families lived with their biological mother and stepfather. Six percent of children who lived with two biological or adoptive parents had parents who were not married. Among the 2.6 million children (4 percent of all children) not living with either parent in 2012, about 55 percent lived with grandparents, 22 percent lived with other relatives only, and 22 percent lived with nonrelatives. Of children in nonrelatives' homes, 33 percent lived with foster parents. About 22% of all children lived in households that were classified as food insecure in 2011. Twenty-two percent of all children under 18 lived in poverty in 2011, which was not statistically different from 2010 but higher than the 16 percent of all children in 2001. Children in married-couple families were much less likely to be living in poverty than children living in female-householder families (no spouse present). Eleven percent of children in married-couple families were living in poverty in 2011, compared with 48 percent in female-householder families. Children ages 0–5 were more likely to be living in families with incomes below the poverty line than those ages 6–17. Twenty-five percent of children ages 0–5 lived in poverty in 2011, compared with 20 percent of older children.

What is your own definition of a family? Summarize on a piece of notebook paper what family means to you. No names on paper.

SNOWBALL FIGHT!

Read the definition/idea on the paper you picked up Read the definition/idea on the paper you picked up. Do you agree or disagree with this person? Can you add anything to what they had? If so, write it.

SNOWBALL FIGHT!

Now, look over both responses Now, look over both responses. Form a hybrid (combination) definition of family -- incorporate both ideas on your paper and your own thoughts. Be prepared to share!

According to dictionary.com.... fam·i·ly [fam-uh-lee, fam-lee] noun, plural fam·i·lies. 1.a.a basic social unit consisting of parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not: the traditional family. b.a social unit consisting of one or more adults together with the children they care for: a single-parent family. 2.the children of one person or one couple collectively: We want a large family. 3.the spouse and children of one person: We're taking the family on vacation next week. 4.any group of persons closely related by blood, as parents, children, uncles, aunts, and cousins: to marry into a socially prominent family. 5.all those persons considered as descendants of a common progenitor.

Compare/Contrast your definition to the “formal” definition Compare/Contrast your definition to the “formal” definition. What is missing?

Defining Family If the definition you created is really noteworthy, please share the definition you created with the class. We will vote on the best definition and use this as we consider the Walls’ strengths and Weaknesses as a family.