This paper discusses new family structures and the move away from the traditional family.
This paper looks at changing family structures in America. The traditional family is discussed as well as different recent family structures that are now widely accepted. The author illustrates how the debut of these new family structures will help the next generation become more open-minded citizens of the world than past generations. The importance is stressed of how the shift in attitudes and our increased awareness and acceptance of things other than the norm has allowed such families to grow without shame or stigma.
“The traditional definition of family included a man and woman with children and perhaps a grandmother and a grandfather. Over time, it was common to find families consisting of adopted children, children of family members and stepchildren (i.e. “The Brady Bunch”). The 1990 U.S. Census revealed that only 16 percent of today’s families fit the traditional definition.
Today’s families may consist of married couples without children, cohabiting families, and single-parent families, blended families, step-families, grandparent-led families, multiracial families, families where the adult(s) are homosexual, commuter families, foster home families and community families. In a study by Jan Hare and Lizbeth Gray, Professors at Oregon State University outlined some of the many scenarios that have arisen due to the evolving familial structure.”