Chapter 13. Family Structure in the United States and Around the World

13.1 Synopsis

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You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.

Welcome

Family Structure in the United States and Around the World

Featuring an interactive world map, this activity examines the different types of family structures in the United States and in several other countries throughout the world.

Click the 'Get Started' button below to start this activity

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13.2 Family Structure in the United States and Around the World

Family Structures in the United States

Although nearly two-thirds of all school-age children in the United States live with their two married parents, many other family structures also exist. Click on the family types below to review their characteristics.

13.3 Family Structure in the United States and Around the World

Family Structure in the United States and Around the World

Although family function is more important for children than family structure, that does not mean structure is irrelevant. Structure influences function. And, as with most aspects of development, there is much variation in family structure throughout the world. The map below illustrates this and provides additional detail about family structure types in the United States.

CLICK ON A COUNTRY TO VIEW THE AVAILABLE DATA ON FAMILY STRUCTURE FOR THAT NATION.

13.4 Family Structure in the United States and Around the World

Family Structure in the United States and Around the World

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Question 13.1 Family Structure

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Remember the text’s discussion of two-parent families versus single-parent families: Two-parent families seem to function best worldwide, but non-married parents in some European countries provide as much stability as married couples in the United States. This could be because single parents are offered many public resources in some countries, and shame and ostracism in others. Single parenthood is common among African Americans, and the community routinely supports single parents. Asian American families function best with nuclear families, and Hispanic American families function well with nuclear or extended families.

13.5 Activity Completed!

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REFERENCES

Child Trends. (2015). World family map 2015: Mapping family change and child well-being outcomes. Bethesda, MD: Child Trends.

Statistics Canada. (2013). Table 2: Distribution (number and percentage) and percentage change of census families by family structure, Canada, provinces and territories, 2011. Government of Canada.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2016, November 17). Living arrangements of children under age 18.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2013a). America’s families and living arrangements: 2012. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, U.S. Census Bureau.

U.S. Census Bureau. (1999). Current population survey: October, 1999. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic and Statistics Administration, U.S. Census Bureau.