The primary function of families in the United States is to provide love and support for their members. However, families are also expected to play a role in their members’ social and economic development. Families are responsible for instilling values in their children and helping them develop a strong sense of identity and belonging. They also provide support during times of crisis or adversity. The family forms and functions in the United States are expected to be affected in various ways over the next decade. The most significant changes will likely be seen in the US population’s number and type of families. The trend towards larger and more diverse families is likely to continue with the change in families’ role in society.
In addition, there may be increased pressure on family members to separate or divorce, which could negatively impact children and families. Overall, the family forms and functions in the United States are expected to change in various ways over the next decade. Although the importance of family love and support will remain central to American life, certain diverse elements are expected to emerge in the coming decade. These elements will include increased single parenting, decreased family size, and migration, which will increasingly affect societal norms and function.
The number of cohabiting couples has been increasing rapidly and is projected to grow. This is due to various factors, including the rising cost of marriage, the declining importance, and the increased acceptance of cohabitation. This trend will likely significantly impact family form and function, as cohabiting couples are less likely to get married and have children than married couples. Another reason is that more couples choose to live together instead of getting married. The perception is often because they do not want to get married for religious reasons or because they do not believe in the institution of marriage. An explanation can be provided in the sense that many couples see cohabitation as a way to test the relationship before committing. Hence, there is a trend of people getting married later in life. This happens because they are waiting for the right person and do not want to get married too soon. A study found that people who live together as if they are married have lower chances of engaging in raising a family than people who do not (Perelli Harris, Brienna, and Marta Styrc, 29). This is because cohabiting couples mostly lack strong relationships causing them to argue. Hence, cohabitation harms family form and function, which is why it is projected to decline in popularity over the next few decades.
There is an increasing number of single parents in the united states. Single parenting has been on the rise for several reasons, including increased access to contraception and abortion, increased rates of divorce, and changes in social norms regarding marriage and childrearing. Single parents often cannot form stable families due to a lack of available resources or support networks, which can lead to significant challenges for their children.
A case study was carried out to analyze the number of single parents better. This study examines how single parenthood affects children’s educational achievement and provides evidence to support its claims. The results suggest that the number of single parents is a significant factor in determining whether or not children can succeed in school and that this trend will only continue increasing. The study provides compelling evidence that single parenting hurts children’s educational achievement (Nonoyama‐Tarumi 13). This suggests that diversity within families is critical for optimal functioning and development. Families with two parents who can work collaboratively and support each other provide their children with the best possible environment in which to learn.
The increasing number of families with adopted children will have the most impact on family form and function in the United States over the next decade by changing the traditional family structure. The traditional family structure is a family unit consisting of a mother, a father, and their biological children. However, with more and more families opting to adopt children, the traditional family structure is no longer the norm. This shift in family structure will likely impact the way families function on a day-to-day basis. For example, the traditional division of labor within families will change as more mothers assume dual roles as both parents and breadwinners.
Adopted children are often raised in a different culture than their biological family, which can lead to unique family traditions. As a result of all these changes, adopted children may have a more significant impact on society than biological children in terms of shaping the future of America. As more couples marry outside of traditional marriage structures, families will continue to evolve in new and unique ways. These families have grown from 4% of all households in 1970 to 13% in 2010 (Palacios 12). This increase can be attributed partly to the fact that more and more couples are choosing to have children through assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as in vitro fertilization. This trend is likely to significantly impact family life, particularly in terms of parenting styles and childrearing practices. Overall, the increasing number of families with adopted children will significantly impact family form and function in the United States over the next decade.
Decrease in family size is likely to have a great impact on family form and function in the United States over the next decade in several ways. First, fewer children will be born, meaning families will be smaller on average. This will likely lead to changes in how families function, as there will be less need for childcare, and other domestic tasks will need to be divided among fewer people. Additionally, the decrease in family size may lead to changes in family form, as fewer couples can afford to have children together. This could lead to a rise in single-parent families and more blended families in which one or both parents are absent. Finally, the decrease in family size may also lead to changes in family relationships. For example, couples may become closer due to the increased need for support within smaller units. Children may develop stronger emotional bonds with their grandparents or relatives than with their parents. All of these changes will likely have a significant impact on family life in the United States over the next decade.
The case study by Gershoff illustrates how the decline in family size has led to various problems for families in the United States. In that study, Gershoff looked at data from 1990 and 2000 to show how family structure has changed over time. He found that the number of single-parent households increased by nearly 50%, mainly due to the decrease in the number of married couples with children (Gershoff et al., 11). This change has had many consequences for families, such as increased poverty rates and problems with educational attainment. In short, the decline in family size has led to some negative consequences for families in the United States. The case study provides an excellent example of how changes in family structure have affected norms and functions within American households (Gershoff et al., 11). There are now more challenges facing American families due to the decline in family size.
Diversity in family structure will be affected by the changing economy. As the economy becomes more competitive, employers are likely to increasingly favor flexible work arrangements, which could lead to increased rates of single parenthood. In addition, as the economy becomes more service-oriented, there is a greater likelihood that employees will be required to work remotely or telecommuting arrangements. These changes can have a significant impact on family form and function. The increasing trend of couples will choose to have children later in life, when they may be more prepared and able to provide a stable home environment.
The case study of the Smith family better analyzes how the changing economy will affect the family structure. The Smith family consists of a mother, a father, and two children. The father is employed full-time as a computer engineer, but the mother is a stay-at-home mom. The family has lived in the same home for over 20 years and has always had two children. In 2006, the father filed for divorce. At the time of the divorce, both parents worked and had custody of their two children. The father retained primary residence and child support from his ex-wife (Chakravorty et al., 21). The case study illustrates how changing economic conditions can impact family form and function.
The impact of migration on families is significant. Families may be separated by migration by migrating to different places, making it difficult to maintain contact with and support each other. Migration may also disrupt families because of family life changes that often occur when people move. Migration has always been a part of human history. It is the movement of people from one place to another in search of new opportunities or to escape difficult circumstances. Migration can be voluntary or involuntary, temporary or permanent, within a country or across international borders.
The United States is a country of immigrants. More than 33 million people, or about one-third of the population, were born outside the United States. In 2010, the most recent year for which data are available, more than 484,000 people migrated to the United States from other countries (Desirée et al., 14). That was an increase of 8 percent over 2009, more than double the amount of about 20,000 over the 2009 level, and the highest number of annual migrants since 2007 (Desirée et al., 14). In the past, most immigrants to the United States have come from countries with strong family traditions. This has led to a change in the way that families are formed in the United States. Today, most immigrants to the United States arrive here alone and build their own families.
In conclusion, the data presented in this essay shows an increasing trend of cohabiting couples and single parents and a decline in the importance of marriage, including other factors. These changes are likely to significantly impact family form and function, particularly for children. As the economy becomes more competitive, employers are likely to increasingly favor flexible work arrangements, which could lead to increased rates of single parenthood. In addition, as the economy becomes more service-oriented, there is a greater likelihood that employees will be required to work at their homes or telecommuting arrangements. These changes can have a significant impact on family form and function. The increased rates of migration to different countries in search of job opportunities will continuously keep many families apart, disrupting the appropriate family relationships that keep them together. All these factors will affect the rate of giving birth to children since the parents are dedicated to their jobs to lead practical lives. These changes are likely to significantly impact children’s lives and their ability to develop healthy relationships.
Works Cited
Chakravorty, Swastika, and Srinivas, Goli. “Family Structure and Its Effect on Economic Well-Being in India.” 2021.
Colomé-Menéndez, Desirée, et al. “A Country of Immigrants No More? the Securitization of Immigration in the National Security Strategies of the United States of America.” Global Affairs, vol. 7, no. 1, 2021, pp. 1–26.
Gershoff, Elizabeth T., and Andrew Grogan-Kaylor. “Spanking and Child Outcomes: Old Controversies and New Meta-Analyses.” Journal of Family Psychology, vol. 30, no. 4, 2016, pp. 453–469.
Nonoyama-Tarumi, Yuko. “Educational Achievement of Children from Single-Mother and Single-Father Families: The Case of Japan.” Journal of Marriage and Family, vol. 79, no. 4, 2017, pp. 915–931.
Palacios, Jesús, et al. “Adoption in the Service of Child Protection: An International Interdisciplinary Perspective.” Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, vol. 25, no. 2, 2019, pp. 57–72.
Perelli Harris, Brienna, and Marta Styrc. “Mental Well‐Being Differences in Cohabitation and Marriage: The Role of Childhood Selection.” Journal of Marriage and Family, vol. 80, no. 1, 2017, pp. 239–255.