THE CHANGING FAMILY Chapter 11 Overview The Changing

THE CHANGING FAMILY Chapter 11

Overview: The Changing Family § § There have been many changes in the American family. Whether or not we view some of these changes as problematic is a matter of our values. Changes and Problems in the Family § § Divorce One-Parent Families Family Violence Sexual Abuse We’ll examine each of these changes and problems from a sociological perspective, and discuss social policy and the future

The Problem in Sociological Perspective The American Family has changed dramatically over the past century. This is mostly due to the effects of the Industrial Revolution. Some of these changes are listed below • • Men left home to work in factories Children became an economic liability Formal education for children required A lower birthrate From rural to urban- families moved to the city Families functions are changing Changes in women’s roles

One of the biggest changes we see today is the number of children Americans are having. Today about half of U. S. adults say that having 2 children is ideal. Notice how much this has changed since 1890…. and consider that two centuries ago having 8 children was the U. S. average!

Another major change in the American family is the number of people who are divorced. About half of U. S. marriages end in divorce, and it this has been the “norm” since the 1980’s

The Scope of the Problem • Divorce § § Increased steadily since 1960 Leveled off in 1980 Holding steady, possibly declining (ever so slightly) Half of all U. S. marriages end in divorce • Is divorce a sign of weakness or strength? § § Can interpret divorce statistics in many ways Some see this as a terrible thing; a sign that the family is “breaking down. ” Others see it more positively; as a sign that women and men no longer feel obligated to stay in relationships that no longer serve them.

Children of Divorce • The children of divorce § § Many agree that, overall, divorce does not affect children positively-- but neither does living in a household with two quarrelling parents! There are numerous ways divorce can affect children. For example: § How does the socio-economic situation of the family change after a divorce? Often single households are poorer than two parent households. How old is the child when the divorce occurs? In middle childhood stability is very important for development. Is there is a social support network (other family members, or close family friends) to help the child adjust to their new situation? The effects of divorce involve other things that cannot be quantified.

The figure above illustrates where U. S. children live, according to race/ethnicity. Notice the number of African American children who live only with their mother.

One Parent Families • Births to unmarried women • Currently 40% of all newborns in the U. S. today are born to single mothers. § • This is 6 times higher than in 1940, 3 times higher than in 1970, and about double what it was in 1980 Having just one parent • While the individual circumstances of one-parent households vary, overall, one of the biggest problems facing these families is the lack of a consistent male role model • § § With only one income to support the family, children in singleparent households are also much more likely to be poor when compared to two-parent households. Births to single women looked at as individual matters When multiplied by millions, consequences reverberate throughout society as objective conditions

One-Parent families • Impact on children § Growing up in a single parent household brings risk of experiencing mental, emotional, and economic difficulties • • • Studies show that (overall) children raised in one parent families are more likely to drop out of high school or college when compared to children in two parent families. They are also more likely be juvenile delinquents If they are female, they are more likely to become teenage mothers. Of course, some kids grow up in single parent households and don’t experience any of these problems. § Effective and involved parenting is the greatest predictor of children’s success and well-being • • It is difficult for one parent to be as effective as two parents. Working single parents experience a significant disadvantage when it comes to being involved in their children’s lives. If the parent is responsible for working (perhaps 2 jobs, or while in school), then they will have less time to help with homework, attend school events, and monitor kids

Looking at the Family Theoretically: Symbolic Interactionism--Why is Divorce Common? • An overloaded institution § • Symbolic interactionists examine what people expect out of marriage. The love symbol: engulfment into unrealistic expectations § Optional emotions have now become mandatory emotions § Many couples today expect that their partners will meet most, if not all, of their emotional needs. As society becomes more and more complex and impersonal, people seek to have their needs for intimacy met by their partners and children.

Looking at the Family Theoretically: Symbolic Interactionism--Why is Divorce Common? • Changing ideas about children and parenting • • Children are more dependent on parents today than in the past, and they are dependent on them for longer. This has created additional strain on marriages. (On a side note, happiness in marriage tends to follow a U shaped curve- couples are happiest in the beginning of their marriage -before kids- and after the kids have left home!) Changing marital roles § In the past gender roles were clearly defined. Men acted as breadwinners and women were responsible for taking care of the home and children. Today, as we know, this can no longer be expected. 70% of women work outside the home. However, all the housework still needs to get done and this seems to be a particular source of contention for many couples.

Functionalism and Divorce • In the past the family was absolutely critical for our well-being. It served a number of critical functions essential for the stability of society. For example: § § § Economic production Socialization of children Care of the sick and injured Care of the aged Recreation Sexual control of family members • § sexual revolution opened many alternatives to marital sex Reproduction

Functionalism and Divorce • • Throughout history (and across cultures) the family unit has functioned to meet the needs of people in various ways. As societies change, families change right along with society. Today the family as we know it is no longer as necessary in terms of serving a number of the functions listed on the previous slide. • For example: • • we have nursing homes to care for the sick and aged the schools and media function as agents of socialization (which are sometimes at odds with the family- see this week’s film!) recreational opportunities are plentiful children today no longer work and contribute economically to the household. Thus, according to the functionalists, the family unit is threatened because it is no longer plays as important a role in our lives.

Conflict and Feminist Theory and Divorce • Male domination of marriage and family • • Conflict theorists claim that it is men who benefit most from the institution of marriage. They point out “traditional” gender roles and how, throughout history, women have been in the role of serving men and tending to household needs. The “backstage” work that women do to fulfill the role of mother, wife, and homemaker is known as reproductive labor. No money is earned through this kind of work and the lack of wages for women meant fewer opportunities for independence. Times have changed, but inequality remains. Most wives, after returning home from an 8 -hour shift of work for wages, put in a second shift. • The second shift refers to all of the housework women do even after working all day (studies show women still do far more housework than men do- even when both work full-time). This is slowly changing. • Power and the marital experience § Today’s women are less dependent on mates, therefore they are more likely to leave a marriage they find unsatisfactory- hence higher divorce rates

Research Findings: Changes in the Family • Cohabitation (living together) is on the rise • Couples are marrying at a later age • Age 28 for men, 27 for women • Couples are waiting longer to have children • The average today is 25 • There an increasing number of singles • Child-free couples are on the rise

These numbers will continue to rise

Family Violence Equality between the sexes � Husbands and wives are about equally as likely to attack one another. However when it comes to the effects of violence, a woman is more likely to be hurt of killed by her partner than vice versa Social class and violence- you can see that violence is not distributed equally among the social classes � The highest rates of violence are found among: Families with low incomes Blue-collar workers Families in which the husband is unemployed Families with above-average numbers of children People with less education Individuals who have no religious affiliation People under 30

Family Violence • • • Alcohol and violence � The more people drink, the more likely they are to beat their spouse. The social heredity of violence � Children learn from their parents that violence is a way to solve problems. Spouse abuse as a defense for homicide � Controversial defense for wives who have killed their husbands

Sexual Abuse in the Family • Marital rape- when a husband rapes his wife • It is difficult to know exactly how often this occurs, but the figures we • § § § do have are disturbing. One study (Yllo 1985, 1989) found that 10% of women reported being raped by their husbands and another study (Russell 1980) found that 12% of women were raped by their husbands. According to these studies there were 3 types of marital rape Non-battering rape- 40% of cases Battering rape- 48% of cases Perverted rape- 6% The timing of marital rape • Most often occurs while a couple is negotiating a separation or when a marriage is breaking up Why do some women put up with marital rape? • Fear, low self-esteem, and little support

Sexual Abuse in the Family Incest- Forbidden sexual relations between relatives � Incest taboo � Extent of incest � Although incest is taboo, it is not uncommon. Approximately 15% of women in the U. S. report being sexually abused before the age of 18, with uncles being the most likely offender. Effects on victims � In all societies it is considered taboo for parents and children to have sexual relations, as it is for uncles and nieces. Sexual relations between siblings in taboo in nearly every society, although there a few historical examples of this. Cousin marriages are not uncommon throughout the world (and they are only illegal in 24 U. S. states). Creates enormous burdens. Guilt, shame, and anger are common responses. This can affect future relationships The Pro-Incest Lobby- the Pedophile Liberation Army (PLA) Believe it or not there is a pro-incest lobby. This is a small group who believe that incest is not the problem, but rather, it’s people’s attitudes towards incest that is the problem. This group will likely make little, if any, progress in changing people’s minds about this issue.

The End of Family? Conflicting Views We’ve looked at the most common changes and problems in today’s families: violence, sexual abuse, divorce and single parent households. So what conclusions can we make about these changes? There are 2 views: Marriage in decline 1. § § § 2. People will cohabitate, but not marry Children will be raised in unconventional ways. The changes upon us are not benefiting society Marriage flourishing • Today’s families are a reflection of our rapidly changing society. • They see the family being able to weather these changes and in some cases, improving. • The idea that the family has declined is a “sociological myth. ” Which view is correct? It’s all a matter of how you interpret the objective conditions- see next slides

Social Policy and Family • • What social policies are at work in to assist families in their struggle to adapt to an ever changing society? And do these social policies help or hinder the family? There are conflicting views about this. The Lasch Accusations: intrusions by professionals § Christopher Lasch claims we have become a “therapeutic society. ” § § • § For example there are parenting and child experts, sex experts, and medical experts. He claims that these experts are self-serving and are replacing the family. That is, people turn to sources outside the family to guide their behavior. These experts, of course, insist they want to assist the family and help the family function better. Lausch says there is no evidence that these so-called experts have benefited the family The dilemma of family policy: taking sides § Lasch’s claims expose division within social policy addressing family needs. Some feel that families need to rely on themselves, while others feel that it is the job of society to assist families. For example, consider the rise in single parent households. Some claim that by providing financial assistance it only encourages single mothers to have children. Instead, they say, if people were forced to rely on family and not society for assistance, they make different decisions (such as having a committed partner). Of course others say that families will change with or without outside support!

Social Policy and Family The battleground of definitions: intervention or interference? • Symbolic interactionists stress that our understanding of what “ought” to be depends on values. • Often difficult to face controversial social policy without being prejudiced. The issue of poverty • Many sociologists see poverty as the root of family troubles. • • When we look at divorce and violence—poverty is a main factor. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that by working to eliminate poverty we can help to eliminate these other issues as well.

The Future of the Problem? CHANGE! • Rapid social change as normative § • Changes we can expect § § • Change is and will continue to be so rapid and extensive that parents and children will live in different worlds. Age at first marriage will continue upward Cohabitation will continue to increase Marriage will become even more oriented around companionship Divorce rate will likely decline (a bit) The ideological (value) struggle will continue!