The structure of the American family is changing. A heterosexual married couple with children had been considered the norm since the early 20th century (Why the nuclear family has to die, 2012) , but that is no longer the standard. As with any changing institution, there are those that look upon these changes as positive things; that these changes strengthen the family unit. There are also, however, those that think that any deviation from the formula of a Nuclear Family is change for the worse, and it will lessen what it means to be family. We will be looking at the changes the concept of family is going through, and we will see that the changes taking place within the American family will prove to be positive, and they will strengthen the family unit and American society. The term “Nuclear Family” first appeared in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1925, and referred to a family made up of a mother, a father, and children (Why the nuclear family has to die, 2012). The term gained popularity through the 1930’s and 1940’s and came to be looked upon as the American standard. The implication within the Nuclear Family held very distinct gender roles: dad worked while mom stayed at home with the children (Gender and family, 2014). Since that time, however, the family unit has changed. Roles are changing, society is changing, and the norm is not what it once was. Nuclear Family is not longer an adequate term to describe what makes up a family. As recent as 1970, more than 40% of households were considered nuclear families. By 2001, that number had dwindled to less than 24% (The changing American family, 2001). The Pew Research Company did a nationally representative study in 2011 of 2,691 adults as to their feelings about the trending changes in the American family. According to that study, only about one-third of Americans are wholly accepting of the changes in the family structure as being a good thing, while two-thirds was either skeptical or rejected change altogether (Morin, 2011). Opinions are generally divided by political views and demographic, with older adults, whites, and Republicans generally expressing the most misgivings, while younger people, Hispanics, and Democrats generally expressing that these changes have had no real impact or have been good for society. By far the most controversial change affecting the American family is the growing number of gay couples with children. According to census information from 2010, more than 19% of gay households have adopted children (Tavernise, 2011). That number is up from just 8% in 2000. Arguments against gay couples being allowed to adopt children center around morality (Ridenour, 2011) or around a perceived lack of stability for the child (Homosexuals and the sanctity of marriage 2.0, 2012). Morality as an argument is subjective at best, and at worst, it’s inflammatory. Faith varies from person to person, even within the same religion; that is to say, not all Christians are against gay marriage (Nicholson, 2015). Arguing that a household with same-sex partners is detrimental to a child’s development has no real backing.
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Studies by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy have shown that children with same-sex parents show no difference in emotional functioning, gender identity, grade point averages, or behavioral adjustment. Quite the contrary: adolescents with same-sex parents reported feeling more focused at school and are shown to be more likely to speak about emotionally difficult topics (Linville & O 'Neil, 2014). Also, the divorce rate among married gay couples is half of what it is among heterosexuals (Hertz, 2011). An additional change in the make-up of the American family is the resurgence of multigenerational households. The numbers of multigenerational households, or extended family households, have grown steadily over the last three decades. In 1990 there were approximately 35 million extended family households, versus 49 million in 2008 (Morin, 2011). The biggest contributor to the change has been money (Why the nuclear family has to die, 2012). Grandparents and young adults alike have found it much easier to live in the same house rather than face the growing expense of living alone. Parents are also wanting to establish themselves in the job market before trekking
Studies by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy have shown that children with same-sex parents show no difference in emotional functioning, gender identity, grade point averages, or behavioral adjustment. Quite the contrary: adolescents with same-sex parents reported feeling more focused at school and are shown to be more likely to speak about emotionally difficult topics (Linville & O 'Neil, 2014). Also, the divorce rate among married gay couples is half of what it is among heterosexuals (Hertz, 2011). An additional change in the make-up of the American family is the resurgence of multigenerational households. The numbers of multigenerational households, or extended family households, have grown steadily over the last three decades. In 1990 there were approximately 35 million extended family households, versus 49 million in 2008 (Morin, 2011). The biggest contributor to the change has been money (Why the nuclear family has to die, 2012). Grandparents and young adults alike have found it much easier to live in the same house rather than face the growing expense of living alone. Parents are also wanting to establish themselves in the job market before trekking