The Death of the Family?
The institution of the family as we know it in our society is dying. There are several trends that are occurring throughout the family, and society that have destroyed what we relate to as the traditional family. An increase in homosexuality and same-sex relationships has resulted in families with two mothers, or two fathers, instead of the traditional nuclear mother-father families of the past. Another trend, the increasing amount of women in the work force, has changed the defining roles and functions of family members. A third trend is the increase in divorce and separation, which has resulted in many lone parent families, as well as many stepfamilies. Another trend is the increase in open adoption in the last few years. This has resulted in a very non-traditional family, where a child grows up having two sets of parents. One last trend, but certainly not all of them, is the increase in common law relationships, which has in turn led to a decrease in marriage. Society has become more accepting, and tolerant of differences in people, and in the way people chose to live their lives. Governments are focusing more and more on freedom of rights, and non-discrimination. As a result of this, people feel more at ease pract
One last trend that has been growing and become very popular with this generation is common-law relationships. On July 11, 2002 a report called "Changing conjugal life in Canada" by statistics Canada, showed that approximately 1.2 million couples were living in a common-law relationship. This statistic went up nearly 20% since 1995. The older generation chose to get married to their partner, whereas this generation is mainly choosing common-law relationship over marriage. It is estimated that of all these couples, about 40 % (between the age of 30-39) of them will end in separation. It is estimated that common law relations are twice as likely not to work out as compared to the married couples (Changing conjugal life in Canada, Statistics Canada). Common-law relations offer less commitment. The couples do not totally have to commit to each other, yet they can still live together, and enjoy most of the benefits of marriage. The statistics show they are most likely to break up in the end. Children are being raised in common law families, many of them are being moved around all over the place, and are not being raised in a stable family home at all. The stable family as we used to know it has been destroyed. Society is changing everyday. The governments are more aware of non-discrimination, and freedom to choose. The people have changed with the governments and now as peoples lifestyles change, the institution of the family is changing. The trends of same-sex relationships, more married women in the work force, increased divorce and separation, open adoption, and increase in common-law relations has lead to the death of the institution of the family as we know it. The family is no longer composed of a husband that works, and a wife that stays home with their children. Instead there is a vast variety and diversity within each different family. The structure, beliefs, characters and values of families have changed, to fit a new, faster passed and very diverse society. Another way the structure of the traditional nuclear family is being destroyed is through a type of adoption called open adoption. O
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Approximate Word count = 1436
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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