Chapter 4: Family in the United States

Fewer ppl married in US

1960 today

whts 74% 55%

hisp. (1)…… (2)……

blks (3)…… (4)……

18-24 (5)…… (6)……

Cult. changes – diff. ideas about (7)………………………..

econ + cult = change

views ch over time

3 time peri. (soc. Barbra Dafoe Whitehead)

1. mid-40s to mid-60s: (8)………………………..

2. mid-60s to mid-80s: (9)………………………..

3. present: (10)………………………..

1. 1940s - 1960s: Traditional Family

After WWII + Econ

 (11)………………………..,  mid class

• Fam = marr couple + child: (12)………………………..

• low (13)……………………….., + birth rate

• 3 cult charac

i. Conformity to (14)………………………..

ii. + male domination of fam

iii. (15)………………………..

2. 1960s - 1980s: Individualism

Nonconform’g nature: 3 impt soc & pol mov’t: (16)………………………., ……………………….., anti-
war (i.e. against war in VN)
 Cult change: 2 impt soc dev’ts:

> focus on (17)………………………..

drive for (18)………………………..

→ ♀/F began enter prof such as: (19)………………………...

♂/M took > active role in (20)………………………..

Eco change

↑↑ ………………………..→ ♀/W need wrk outside to ………………………..→ < press. for ♀/W
stay in unsuitable marr.

→ ……………………….. dble.

↑ divor rate + > ………………………..→ marr < attr for many W.

→ numb ……………………….. trpl.

→ change fam pic : fam = husb & wif wrk/ ………………………../ ………………………..

3. Present: The New Family

W. ≠ want give up gender equality, freedom to leave unsuit marr or fulfil’t inter’g job.

Chil paid high price:

+ spend long hrs away fr par & homes or home alone while par wrk

+ many grw up w. ………………………….

Yng ppl > caus abt marr:

+ still ……………..…….+ …..……….…….., but wait for right per

+ want ……………..…….+ …..……….…….. b4 marry’g

Today, median age for 1st marr: …………… for M. & …………… for W. (in 1960: …………for M. &
…………… for W.)

W. may make > $ than husb & > share in ……………………….. vs. trad fam.

Ideal family = ……………………….., par spend > time w. chil

Changes in fam dur lst 50 yrs → a lot concern

Accor to stats, our att t/w ……………………….. diff now vs. 1960.