Family
Structure
What is a Family Structure?
The traditional family structure in the United States is considered a family support system
involving two married individuals providing care and stability for their
biological offspring. However, this two-parent family has become less prevalent, and
alternative family forms have become more common. The family is created at birth and
establishes ties across generations. Those
generations, the extended
family of aunts, uncles, grandparents,
and cousins, can hold significant emotional and economic roles for the family.
Over time, the traditional structure
has had to adapt to very influential changes, including divorce and the introduction of single-parent families, teenage
pregnancy and unwed mothers, homosexuality and same-sex
marriage, and increased interest in adoption. Social
movements such as the feminist
movement and the stay-at-home
dad have contributed to the
creation of alternative family forms, generating new versions of the American
family (Wikipedia, 2012).
There are many different types of
Family Structures in this day in age.
One of the popular television sitcoms is ‘Modern Family.’ They present a traditional family structure,
a step-family structure and a same-sex family structure. These family structures are becoming more
common.
Traitional
Family
The traditional family consists of a
mother, father, and the children.
Single
parent
A
single parent is a parent who cares for one or
more children without the assistance of the other biological parent. Single-parent homes are increasing as married
couples divorce, or as unmarried couples have children.
The percentage of single-parent
households has doubled in the last three decades, but that percentage tripled
between 1900 and 1950.
Statistics
™
50% of marriages end in divorce
™
1 out of six adults endure 2 or more
divorces
™
One MILLION children experience
parents’ divorce each year in the U.S.
™
40% of all children will experience parents’
divorce during their childhood (Luster, 2012)
Step
Families
Stepfamilies are becoming more
familiar in America. Divorce rates are
rising and the remarriage rate is rising as well, therefore, bringing two
families together making step families. Statistics
show that there are 1,300 new stepfamilies forming every day. Over half of American families are remarried,
that is 75% of marriages ending in divorce and remarry (Stewart, 2007).
The Importance of Family
A Family can be any unit or group of
people that provide you with love, connection, and support.
Here a video that expresses ones
view of what a family is to them.
Families are so important, that is
why they are forever.
President Russell M. Nelson said, “Marriage
and family are ordained of God.
The family is the most important social unit in time and in eternity.”
(Nelson, 2012)
The
family unit is fundamental not only to society and to the Church but to our
hope for eternal life (Eyring, 1998).
The proclamation begins this way:
“We, the First Presidency and the
Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained
of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal
destiny of His children (Eyring,
1998).”
“In the pre-mortal realm, spirit
sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted
His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience
to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny
as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family
relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and
covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return
to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally (Eyring, 1998).”
We are all part of a family here on
earth and a family in heaven. We have a
Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother, we are all brothers and sisters.
“The family is ordained of God.
Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are
entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father
and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family
life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord
Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained
on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome
recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their
families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the
necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily
responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred
responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as
equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate
individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed (Eyring, 1998).”
Family
is important to me because they provide me with: Love, Respect, and Friendship.
MY FAMILY
Why
is your family important to you?
References
Eyring, Henry B. (1998) The Family. February Ensign. Retrieved from http://www.lds.org/ensign/1998/02/the-family?lang=eng
Family
(2012) Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL4HkENYg-g&feature=fvwrel
Luster, Stephanie (2012, Monday, July
30). Divorce
and Parenting. Class 18, 1-11.
Modern
Family – Trailer (2012) Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aogZUDx51vQ
Nelson, Russell M. (2012) Thanks be to God. General Conference May Ensign. Retrieved
from http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/thanks-be-to-god?lang=eng&query=family+unit
Stewart, S.D. (2007). Brave New
Stepfamilies. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2012) Retrieved
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_structure_in_the_United_States
i love my family and even though we are not perfect and to some not normal i love them. i am the youngest of six and my parents are divorced and have been for some time. family dynamics are so important to establish and have in the home each parent has their own responsibility and as a couple man and woman. marriage between a man and woman is the way the lord intended for his children to have a family and to have all that can be obtained through it. i have had to grow up in some areas of my life lacking because of my father not being around to give me the kindof up bringing every child should have but through that i have learned the importance of family and what kind of family i want for me and my future family. i want my children to have a father there for them and worthy of them to be the kind of man who can make a difference you cannot get that without a marriage between a man and woman.
ReplyDeleteMelinda
Family truly is the most important unit in any society. The family should provide the necessary nourishment, love, physical necessities, and learning opportunities that we need as humans. When families support and love each other, then they become better people and have a good positive influence on society. I love my wife and all of my family. They have helped me in so many ways as i try to become a better person. Growing up, it was my family life that provided me with the tools I needed to learn and grow and satisfied my need for love and support. From a religious stand point, it is the organization God has given us to learn to become like Him and return to live with Him.
ReplyDeleteI wish that all children could be raised in a loving home by a mother and father who are faithful to each other and the Lord. If this were the case our society would be so different in so many good ways.
-Brad Wood