Alternate family forms Sociology of the family

1 alternate family forms

1.1 one-parent families
1.2 cohabitation
1.3 gay , lesbian couples
1.4 child-rearing same-sex couples
1.5 chosen or fictive kin

alternate family forms

the number of married couples raising children has decreased on years. in canada, married , common law couples children under age of 25 represented 44% of families in 2001. statistic has lowered since 1991, when married , common law couples raising children under age of 25 represented 49 percent of canadian families. there various family forms becoming increasingly popular in society.

one-parent families

in canada, 1 parent families have become popular since 1961 when 8.4 percent of children being raised single parent. in 2001, 15.6 percent of children being raised single parent. number of single parent families continue rise, while 4 times more mother parent raising child. high percentage of mothers becoming sole parent due result of divorce, unplanned pregnancy or inability find befitting partner. children raised single parent commonly @ disadvantage due characteristics of parenting. mother , father both make significant contributions development of child, therefore 1 parent s ability raise child on or own may hindered.

cohabitation

a residence containing unmarried couple called cohabitation. type of family style becoming increasingly accepted in canada , has increased 8% in 1981 16.4% in 2001. in sweden , nordic communities, family form quite common, or without inclusion of children. however, in various catholic regions such italy, uncommon due religious aspects (see catholic marriage).

gay , lesbian couples

gay , lesbian couples categorized same sex relationships. in 1989, denmark first nation allow same sex couples married , provide equal rights citizens. after many nations began allow same sex marriages occur such canada , spain (2005). 50 states in united states have changed law allow same sex marriages (2015).

child-rearing same-sex couples

children of same-sex couples either come past relationships or through other opportunities adoption or artificial insemination. data collected in 2000 u.s. census, suggested more 250,000 children in united states being raised lesbian , gay couples. in 2010 u.s. census, reported 20% of lesbian , gay couple or partnership households raising children (115,064 out of 594,000 same-sex households). trend of child-rearing amongst gay , lesbian couples or partnerships on rise. also, support general public gay , lesbian couples or partnerships raising children @ all-time high since 1990s. in 1994, idea of homosexual partnerships parenting children evenly divided americans support. when americans asked, think homosexual couples should or should not have legal right adopt child , 28% of americans said should, , 65% said shouldn t. in 2003, idea of homosexual partnerships parenting children evenly divided americans support. when americans asked same question right of homosexual partnerships raise children through adoption, 49% of americans said should, , 48% said shouldn t. in 2014, americans asked similar question. results more polarizing results found in 1994. twenty years later, 63% of americans said lesbian , gay couples or partnerships, , 35% said shouldn t.

there no federal laws prohibiting adoption of child homosexual couple or partnership. there states, 1 being florida, depend on opinions of county judge in charge of case, , county judges base decisions on best interest of child , in regards child adoption same-sex couple. best interest of child seems driving force behind push , reasoning remaining lack of support homosexual couples or partnerships adopting or raising children. central argument in debate legal rights, policies , overall support related idea of same-sex couples raising children well-being of children raised in families. there concerns mental, emotional , social development of children raised in same sex couple or partnership households. there has been plethora of research conducted provides insight range of issues, including personal development, gender development, peer relationships, , family relationships of children same-sex parents.

research suggests sexual identities (including gender identity, gender-role behavior, , sexual orientation) develop in same ways among children of lesbian mothers among children of heterosexual parents. evidence suggests children of lesbian , gay parents have normal social relationships peers , adults. there have been studies of other aspects of personal development (including personality, self-concept, , conduct) reveal few differences between children of lesbian mothers , children of heterosexual parents. these differences not significant noticeable. example, there study examined , compared particular behaviors , ideas/belief performed sons , daughters of lesbian mothers. studies found 53% of daughters of lesbian mothers aspired pursue careers physicians, attorneys, , engineers compared 21% of daughters of heterosexual mothers. sons of lesbian mothers tended less aggressive , more nurturing sons of heterosexual mothers. general concern homosexual couples or partnerships parenting children doesn t have grounds argument, children grow 1 or 2 gay and/or lesbian parents fare in emotional, cognitive, social, , sexual functioning children parents heterosexual. children s optimal development seems influenced more nature of relationships , interactions within family unit particular structural form takes.

chosen or fictive kin

others not related blood or marriage variously called fictive kin, chosen kin, or voluntary kin.