Family Relationships Review/Wrap-up Relationships

Relationship What? – An interaction between two or more people. Who? – Parents, siblings, peers, spouse, grandparents They are constantly changing. An individual is going through various stages of his life cycle while the family is going through its cycle.

Family Life Cycle Leaving Home marriage Parenting Childbearing Family 0-2 1/2 years old Retirement Empty Nest Launching Center Family with Preschoolers 2 ½ - 6 yrs Family with School Children yrs old Parenting adolescents yr old Independence

Write down your definition of the stereotypical family. Working dad Stay-at-home mom 2 or 3 children Only 10% of all households are in this family form.

Millions of Kids Children living in blended families, including either a step-parent or step- sibling. Children living with both natural parents and full brothers or sisters. Children living in extended families including other people such as uncles, cousins, aunts or grandparents. Children living in one-parent (MOM only) families. Children living in one-parent (DAD only) families. 8 million 3.6 million 7 million 17 million 42 million Family Type Number of Children 2006 statistics

Changing Families Marrying Later in Life –Average age to marry: men , women –More young people are not marrying or are marrying later. Couples With Fewer Children –The average number of children has dropped from 3.6 in 1957 to 1.8. Couples With No Children –Due to career commitments, fertility problems or just because they enjoy their childless lifestyles, many couples are remaining “Double Income, No Kids” couples.

Working Mothers –The fastest growing segment of the work force is women with children under the age of three. –More than half of American mothers with infants less than a year old are working outside the home. –Day care for these children can cost up to ¼ the family budget. –Working mothers have 15 fewer hours of leisure a week than fathers. Changing Families

Scenarios to ponder… Your marriage is headed for divorce. –How would you settle property, child custody, divorce costs? You are a single mother. –How will you cope emotionally and financially? Elderly parents need to move in with you. –What conflicts and adjustments will arise? You just remarried. –How will family discipline be handled? How will household chores be divided? What name do you expect the children to call you? Where should you live? How should you divide physical space?