1. Changes in U.S. Families Presentation adapted from:
Dr. Deborah Tippett, Meredith College
Families and Close Relationships
Census defines a family - a group of two or more persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption living together
Our families shape us – your own family history is most important in your own development.

2. Look at Changes in Families
Early Families
Families Today
Who is the oldest person living in your family? Think of your family stories and record them now – so you will not forget
What do we know about early families in the US?
primarily rural
trans-generational, extended families lived together
strong sense of duty to family – oldest son typically inherited farm and the responsibility of caring for entire family
communities close – neighbors helped each other
social functions tied to church – look at rural churches, many have cemeteries and community halls attached
families large – no birth control and farm families needed lots of children to work and to replace children who died
births were not easy – women gave birth at home, many died in child birth – or from diseases such as influenza
there were single parents – due to death and desertion – few divorces, which were scandalous
Two characteristics, according to Lance and Synder of the early American family:
familism – family more important that the individual members – individual needs submitted to the needs of the family
Where are we today? Much debate of move back to familism from individualization – 80’s time of “follow your bliss”
authoritarian – father and son dominated decision making – male dominated
Look at changes through the 20th century
Contrast families of 1950s with 2010’s – p. 15 text
Look at top rated TV shows featuring families
1950 – I love Lucy
2010 – Modern Family

3. Contrast Families in 1950s to 2010s – look at popular TV shows about families, such as “I Love Lucy” and “Modern Family”
How are they different?
Look at changes through the 20th century
Contrast families of 1950s with 2010’s
Look at top rated TV shows featuring families
1950 – I love Lucy
2010 – Modern Family

5. Look at changes over time of family structures through census data – see chart on Power Point

6. What has increased? Diversity Singles Cohabitation Dual Careers
Remarriages
Single Parents
Older Parents
Stress
Life Expectancy
Family Connections
Family Communication through technology
What has increased?
Diversity in marriage – civil unions, partnerships and gay marriages, blended,
Singlehood – people marrying later – late 20s
In 1900, 1.1% of population lived alone
In 2008, 10.3% of population lived alone
Cohabitation – up 500%
Dual Career Families – both partners with careers not just dual earner
Remarriages – blended families
Single parents –
1960 – 5.3% of babies born to single women
2005 – 36.8%
2009 – 40%
2011 – 41%
Older mothers
more births to women 35 and older than to teenagers,
Teen Pregnancy down for most groups - birth rate to Black teenagers down by half – up for Hispanic teenagers
births to women 40 and older now make up 4% of all births
Stress –
Due to changing economy –
Unemployment rates up – 2009 – of married couples with children, 6% of fathers unemployed in 09 vs. 3% in 07; unemployed mothers 4% in 09 compared to 2% in 07
Unmarried parents – 16% unemployed fathers in 09 compared to 9% in 07; unemployed mothers 8% in 09 vs. 4% in 07
Poverty associated with single parents –
Percentage of children living with two parents varies by race and origin (2009)
85% Asian
78% White, non Hispanic
60% Hispanic
38% Black
Life Expectancy –
Longer marriages, now more divorces among older couples
More pressures on Sandwich Generation – those who care for their parents and children at the same time
More issues caring for older parents
Family connections through technology – cell phones, texting, Facebook, Skype

7. What has Decreased? Family Size Divorce
Family Communication (face to face)
What has decreased?
Family size – Average size of family now 2.2 where typical household in 1790 was 5.8
Divorce – peaked in 1984, slight decline since then
Face to face communication – more people are communicating through technology and less time is spent in person