...years, the definition of the term “family” has changed radically. The changing American family structure comes from the family division due to divorce and the responsibility of single parents in raising children. The meaning of family ranges from a proof that the social structure of America can meet social, political and economic changes and thrives. For a mother, the financial responsibilities are immense when she raises her child alone. Lynn Olcott, a teacher at Auburn Correctional Facility in New York, stated in her essay “The Ballad of a Single Mother” the trials and inevitable difficulties that comes with being a single mother by playing both parental figure roles. According to her, the financial struggle is mainly due to gender inequalities in workplace and being a one-income family. In a way, the fact of working forces her to put her son in nursery school, which then cost more money and create a vicious circle from a financial perspective. Rebecca M. Blank, a professor of economics at Nothwestern University, adheres to the same topic in her article “Absent Fathers: Why Don’t We Ever Talk About The Unmarried Men?” by calling attention to the problem that the “lack of parental support” form absent fathers “is a major factor contributing to the poverty of single mothers and their children”(Blank, 440). They commonly agree that if the father was in the family home or gave contribution such as child support, it would be easier to the family to struggle and not be disturbed....
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...Today, the definition of family is very complex and cannot be explained in just a few words or lines. It can be said that the word ‘family’ has more than one meaning and this makes it more complicated for one to understand the meaning of family. According to most people, a family can be one in the traditional sense with two heterosexual parents with children, one with two parents of the same sex with an adopted child, one with a single parent. But maybe a family could be made of multiple partners; as an example in Judith Stacey’s book with the three gay partners living together. Maybe it could even be a live-in relationship where the partners are not married, as opposed to popular belief. The word family is not restricted to only these instances and can be illustrated in various other ways without a set structure or definition. In the article “American Family Decline”, Popenoe argues that the definition of family is changing and cannot be attributed to just one concept. He argues the state of the changing American family and states the causes for these changes. But due to the complexity of the word he desires to relate family to its traditional view with one father, one mother and the two children to whom they gave birth all living collectively in the same house. According to Popenoe, since the 1960’s up to the 90’s there has been a rapid shift in the percentages of the changing family. He further states that there has been an increase in the divorce rates in the past couple...
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...Census Bureau projections, the United States will face dramatic demographic changes over the next one hundred years. Indeed, the country will be entering largely uncharted territory. In the twenty-first century, the population is expected to grow more slowly than ever before over an extended period. The population will also age rapidly, with the share of the population over 65 climbing to a succession of new record highs. Finally, the United States will once again become a nation of immigrants (Martin, 2006). The Mexican immigrant and heritage segment of the population shows the greatest increase (by 345%). This increase is fueled by ongoing legal and illegal immigration, the effects of an amnesty/guest worker program, and by the larger family size of Mexican immigrants. Other Hispanic immigrants and their offspring are projected to rise over the next 45 years by 206 percent — from about 17 million to about 52 million residents. The rapid increase in this population segment also is fueled by amnesty,...
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...Miteechur English Comp II February 10, 2015 American Family Values In the article, “Family Values,” Richard Rodriguez states his view on the positive affect of homosexuality on family values in America. He questions the values that the media and politicians claim Americans hold and intrigues the reader to decide whether the United States values the family at all. With the traditional family dynamic changing every day, so does the perspective of right and wrong. The media, however, is quick to defend the sanctity of the stereotypical family and chastises anything that contradicts that ideal. The things one values changes with age and are shaped through personal experience and relationships made throughout life. This individual moral development should be promoted instead of criticized. This country was founded on the idea of individual rights. However, America is always forcing it’s ideals on others. The United States would be a more unified and progressive place if its citizens embraced the idea of tolerance and valued the diversity that make the people of this country great instead of demonizing what doesn’t fit the stereotypical image of the American family. The United States is seen as the “Land of Opportunity.” People have come from all over the world to give their family a chance at the American Dream. This nation was created by people who believed in the idea of a better life for their children. But what is the American Dream and why was this ideal appealing? In traditional...
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...The American Dream was once an idea to those who longed for a better lifestyle in other countries. Moving to the United States meant greater opportunity, financial security, and happiness overall. However, the accessibility of the American Dream has lessened due to the changing government policies and economic status, the job market, different forms of education, and the changing times.The United States government has passed many acts and laws in regards to immigration and financial aid, but only some of these have aided new residents of the country in attaining their American Dream. The competition for jobs has also increased as the requirement for higher education becomes more and more needed. The American Dream is becoming unachievable because...
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...Did the Industrial Revolution Disrupt the American Family? The Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on American life economically, politically, and socially. It affected every facet of American society from the political and economic structures of the country to the family unit. Historians, however, have varying viewpoints on whether the Industrial Revolution disrupted the American family. One point of view, represented by Elaine Tyler May, is that it disrupted the American family because the changing lifestyle that resulted put enormous pressure on men to provide adequately for their wives and children, which led to the breakup of many families. The opposing point of view, represented by Jacquelyn Hall, Robert Korstad, and James Leloudis, is that it did not disrupt the American family because in some parts of the country such as the south, many families were still able to live and work together in ways that were similar to how they lived and worked on their farms. Given the available data cited by May on divorces during this period, I subscribe to the point of view that the Industrial Revolution disrupted the American family. The problem with Hall’s argument is that it is supported by examples that are too narrow to generalize for the country as a whole. May argues that the mass production and consumption of goods which resulted from the Industrial Revolution, as well as the changing lifestyle and widespread prosperity put enormous pressure on men to provide for...
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...Elizabeth Rodriguez Syg2010 March 11, 2015 The Changing American Family Unlike in the 1950s, there is no ‘typical’ American family today. Typically in the 1950s an American family consisted of a breadwinning father and a stay at home mother. Today that is not the case for most Americans. What purpose are families actually suppose to serve in contemporary societies? Is it families that create problems or solve them? In the twenty-first century how are we suppose to reduce family related social problem? I will examine Ch.11 The Changing Family and examine the functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interaction views. Meet Kristi and Michael Burns both have a lot in common. They both share a love for crossword puzzles, going to football games, museums and reading up too five or six books at a time. As for today, their blended family is extensive, sometimes uneasy with two sharp-eyed sons from two of Kristi’s previous husbands, a daughter and son from Michael’s second marriage, an ex-spouses unreliable degrees of involvement, the partners of ex-spouses, the puzzled in-laws and a kitten named Agnes that likes to sleep on computer keyboards. (Angier) If the Burns seem as an atypical American family how about we throw in the Schulte-Waysers a merry couple of two married dads, six kids and two dogs. The functionalist perspective emphasizes the importance of family. Functionalist perspective also stresses the ability of maintaining the stability of society and well being...
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...INTRODUCTION 1. Rationale - Family is the basic social unit. Family represents people living together by ties of marriage, blood or adaptation, thus representing a single household. According to sociology, the family has the primary function of reproducing society; biologically, socially, or both. There are various structures of a family based on the relationship shared between the parent and the children. - Life and people are always changing, but the main values and bases of the concept of family should always remain present. To many people, the definition of the word family is a unity among a group of people who care and tend to each other’s needs, while forming an unbreakable bond. Therefore, family values are important and should be cherished and nurtured. - Every country has different family values such as Chinese and American. Therefore, I chose “ Chinese family values and American family values “ as my topic. 2. Aims of the study The study helps students of English as a foreign language have more knowledge about “ Family values in Chinese and American and the difference, similarities between them “. 3. Object and scope of the study - Object of the study: Family values - Scope of the study: Family values in Chinese and American 4. Methods of the study Based on some books, references on the Internet…..about family values in Chinese and American. B. DEVELOPMENT Chapter 1: Chinese family values While China has increasingly...
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...Diminishing Morals Over the course of a decade, America has been overcome with changes. Changes that have impacted American society, economy, and culture.Traditional values are currently being replaced by modern day modifications revolving around the changing outlooks in American households. Values dating back to times of segregation have begun to change for the better, while values regarding marriage and family relationships have taken a turn for the worse. Respecting authority, having faith in God, and maintaining one marriage for life are no longer an importance to American citizens. This change in ethics across the nation cannot be summed up to one cause, rather as an effect of multiple causes that have caused society to transform. However, several causes stand out above all others as the most probable. Changing social behaviors, divorce rates, and technology have altered the average American’s values and outlook on the world. In the late 1950’s, CBS aired a sitcom called “Leave it to Beaver”. The show portrayed a typical American family: a married couple and their two biological children. This portrayal was pegged as the “nuclear family” (Stanley 2012). During the times of both world wars up until the 1980’s, blended families were not common. Once a couple married, they typically maintained their marriage for better or for worse. A couple’s family tree continued only after they had said their vows, when it was socially acceptable to reproduce. Most women in 1950 were...
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...Thesis: The Changing Structure of the American Family. Issue Summary The shape of the American family has undergone a dramatic change over the last several decades. The once dominant "traditional nuclear family" is now accompanied by a variety of other familial forms. Sociologists, psychologists, and politicians, among others, have all offered their opinions on the subject and many studies have been put forth to demonstrate the adverse effects of these situations on children and on the society as a whole. While these studies have resulted in conclusions that perpetuate the myth that single parent and blended families are aberrations from the norm, other researchers take the position that these groups are just new and viable variations on the idea of what constitutes a family. The results of many of the studies done in the past have been flawed, but there is mounting evidence that if researchers control for a wide spectrum of influences, they will arrive at a more accurate and positive assessment of the situation. If many different variables are taken into consideration, the non-traditional family structure can be shown to have a potential for success that is comparable to that of the two-parent family. Project Outline The shape of the American family has undergone a dramatic change over the last several decades. Changing family structure Opinions and research study outcomes Evidence that positive assessment for non traditional families Traditional family as only acceptable...
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...gave a speech. First of all the speech was gave to express Obama’s grief, – but he wanted more than just to show empathy. Obama presents a clear message - of changing the U.S gun laws - in his speech Obama delivered his speech to the press , so therefore all Americans are his receivers. In his speech Obama argues against the 2nd amendment, which gives every American the right to be armed. Obama blames the 2nd amendment for the recurrent mass shootings in America. To convince his receiver Barack Obama uses several rhetorical devices, which this paper will analyze. “I'd ask the American people to think about how they can get our government to change these laws, and to save lives, and to let young people grow up.” In this sentence Obama clarifies his message about changing gun laws. He also emphasizes who his audience is; “the American people”. Furthermore, the quotation is an example of his use of the appeal form pathos. He mentions young people and their right to grow up, which most Americans can relate to. Another example of the appeal form pathos is the phrase in the speech, where he mentions “American families, moms, dads, children, whose lives have been changed forever.” Here Obama not only mentions family members so that everyone can relate to them, he also emphasizes that it is the American families and therefore appeals to the receiver’s patriotism. However, Obama also uses the two other appeal forms, logos and ethos. He uses logos to persuade his audience...
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...relationships with target customers. Like Xerox, companies constantly watch and adapt to the changing environment. b. More than any other group in the company, marketers must be environmental trend trackers and opportunity seekers. Although every manager in an organization should watch the outside environment, marketers have two special aptitudes. They have disciplined methods-marketing research and marketing intelligence-for collecting information about the marketing environment. They also spend more time in customer and competitor environments. By carefully studying the environment, marketers can adapt their strategies to meet new marketplace challenges and opportunities. 2. List some of the demographic trends of interest to marketers in the United States and discuss whether these trends pose opportunities or threats for marketers. a. Changing Age Structure of the Population Changing American Family Geographic Shifts in Population A better-educated, more white-collar, more professional population Increasing diversity b. The first trend( The changing age structure of the population), poses a threat because defining people by their birth date may be less effective than segmenting them by their lifestyle, life stage, life stage, or the common values they seek in the products they buy. The second trend (The changing American family) poses an opportunity because the...
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...Should we keep birthright citizenship? Should we ratify the 14th amendment? These are the two main arguments in the articles “Birthright Citizenship in the United States” by Jon Feere and “Policy Arguments in Favor of Retaining America’s Birthright Citizenship Law” by Margaret Stock. The 14th amendment does not give clear requirements on who is given birthright citizenship. The 14th amendment simply states “All persons born of naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States, and of the state wherein they reside.” In the article favoring the retainment of birthright citizenship states that changing the policy would not solve any problems but instead create problems. The purposed changes would bring administrative and legal burdens to every American. America practices jus solis or...
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...is not Enough? The dynamics of the American family have changed. No longer is a working father, stay at home mother, and kids considered the norm. Even the definition of “family” has changed dramatically. Changes in the American “norm” raise an important question, “Should the Family and Medical Leave Act be changed?” to meet our communities evolving needs. In the United States, the current Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) only provides up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave, but compared to other counties with similar policies the act does not have enough coverage to protect the average worker and should be changed. A woman walks into her human resources office crying, asking to speak to someone. She is currently on FMLA leave to care for her sick child who has been diagnosed with leukemia. She is a single parent with two other children at home to care for as well. Even with insurance coverage, the bills are mounting because FMLA is unpaid and she has exhausted all of her personal time off (PTO). With her steady income cut-off, she is concerned how she will pay her bills. She has no close family to turn to for support and does not qualify for government assistance. Her story is just one example. According to the United State Census, in 2010 single parent households comprised about 9.6 percent of the total U.S. household population. There are about 10.4 million single-mother families and 2.5 million single father families. About 5.7 million, or 8 percent of...
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...Turning Negative to Positive: African American Portrayal in Media As the day progresses into the late evening hour most of America sits in front of their televisions impatiently waiting to watch their favorite shows. From prime time television to viral videos on YouTube, media has become one of the most influential areas of life. The clothes we wear, slogans we say, and actions we portray are all influenced by media. For example, in 2012 “Ain’t nobody got time for that” became a popular slogan which transcended from a news interview that went viral. Although the slogan was catchy, it became famous more so for the way it was presented. The interviewee was an African American female who was a victim of a house fire. With the female being very passionate and animated while speaking in an urban accent, it provided for great entertainment. Sadly, that news interview lacked the appropriate representation of African Americans. The way media portrays a certain message “can have an inordinate influence on the public’s perception of blacks” (Holt 6). Audiences have been a witness to negative portrayal of African Americans since the days of “blackface”, where Caucasian American actors painted their faces black to depict African Americans. According to blog author Michelle Whalen, “now, more than ever, images of African Americans are transcending racial stereotypes and forging ahead into the fight for equality” (1). In the past two decades, media has been successful in providing positive...
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