Current Trends in Family Life

One of the advantages of taking a Family Relations class, is the chance to learn more about our society today, which is made up of families. I believe that families are the foundation of society, even though the meanings and trends are evolving throughout time.

In class this week, my classmates and I discussed current, world-wide trends in the family, and the impacts of those trends. One of the trends that stood out to me, was the high number of divorce rates, and the change in the structure of the family.

From statistics that were discussed in class, along with doing research on my own, I also noted that there is a decreasing number of children that are being born to parents and into a family, as well as a substantial divorce-rate. According to the US Census (2010), 74% of marriages last in today's world. This number has increased dramatically over the past several years, because it is more common and sociologically "okay" or "normal" to get a divorce. I feel like because our society's morals and values have altered, so have the statistical results of this change.

About a decade or two ago, a divorce was much rarer, and unheard of. Even if the marriage wasn't necessarily healthy, a couple would most likely stay married because divorce was out of the norm. Our culture was more involved with the traditional family, and it was expected that there would be an employed father, a stay-at-home mother, and children who were cared and provided for by both married parents. Even though the parents had different roles, each contributed to the family in a significant and balanced way. However, because of the women's movement and their experience in education and the work place has been more valued and accustomed, the "traditional" family is not as prominent in our society today. Although there are many more reasons of why the traditional family is not as common today, does this change correlate with the divorce rate, the decrease in birth rate, and overall change in the structure of the family? Although each individual and situation is different, I cannot help but go back to the Family Proclamation of the World, written by the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This document was published before gay-marriages, transgenders, and even divorce rates started to overwhelm and spread across the country. I feel as if our church leaders, and ultimately, Heavenly Father knew what our world would look like and face today, with our beliefs being challenged constantly, by people who want us to change our view and "fit-in" with the new normal where people want to be accepted, and want their needs met. This functionalist view is typical.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints receives a lot of criticism on our "traditional" or "never-changing" views, however I have a testimony of the Family Proclamation that encourages men and women to have separate and distinct roles, that may not fit in with society. I have lived in the traditional-type family where my father worked and provided while my mom stayed home to cook, clean and nurture us. The other half of my life is now opposite; my mother is the single provider of our family after my father and her got a divorce. Instead of two co-parents, my siblings and I rely on and live with one parent, which is a different and a less smooth circumstance.

In my Family Relations class, we summed up how Americans do value marriage, family, and intimacy, but many are not convinced that marriage and family are the only way to fulfill those needs. Although statistics show that a stable marriage brings greater emotional and physical benefits, our society is either disregarding the concept of marriage, or putting other wants or needs before their marriage.

I am thankful for this Family Relations class because we are learning in a university who have the same values as my professor and classmates, that are based on the teachings of the church. I know that if we live the commandments and covenants we make with God, our future marriages and families will last, and be eternal.