Introductory Sociology: Family - Trends Declining Marriage Rates Rising Divorce Remarriage Stepfamilies Singles Delayed Childbearing

What It Is

Trends in family structure refer to significant changes in the way people form and maintain relationships, including marriage, divorce, remarriage, and family composition. For example, in the United States, the percentage of married couples has declined, while the number of single-parent households has increased. Sociologists care about these trends because they reflect broader societal changes, such as shifting values, economic conditions, and demographic shifts.

Must-Know Facts

• Declining Marriage Rates: The percentage of married couples in the US has declined from 72% in 1960 to 48% in 2020 (Pew Research Center, 2020).
• Rising Divorce: The divorce rate in the US has increased from 2.5 per 1,000 married couples in 1960 to 32.8 per 1,000 in 2020 (American Community Survey, 2020).
• Remarriage: 59% of divorced individuals in the US remarry within 5 years of their divorce (American Community Survey, 2020).
• Stepfamilies: 14.3% of children in the US live in stepfamilies, up from 9.6% in 1990 (US Census Bureau, 2020).
• Singles: 47% of adults in the US are single, up from 33% in 1990 (Pew Research Center, 2020).
• Delayed Childbearing: The average age of first-time mothers in the US has increased from 21.4 in 1970 to 27.4 in 2020 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020).
• Key Theorist: Amariah Mihran: Proposed the "marriage squeeze" theory, which suggests that changes in the sex ratio at marriage can lead to changes in marriage rates (Mihran, 1976).
• Key Theorist: Peter Blau: Proposed the "exchange theory" of marriage, which suggests that individuals choose partners based on their perceived value (Blau, 1964).
• Important Definition: De facto marriage: A marriage-like relationship without formal legal recognition (e.g., common-law marriage).
• Important Definition: De jure marriage: A formally recognized marriage (e.g., civil marriage).
• Empirical Finding: The "marriage gap": The gap between the marriage rates of high- and low-income individuals has widened over time (Pew Research Center, 2020).
• Classic Study: The "National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health": A study that followed a cohort of adolescents into adulthood and found that those who delayed marriage were more likely to experience divorce (Harris et al., 2009).
• Distinction: Serial monogamy: The practice of having multiple monogamous relationships over time (e.g., serial marriage).
• Distinction: Polygamy: The practice of having multiple spouses at the same time (e.g., polygynous marriage).

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Marriage rates are declining because people are becoming more promiscuous.
• Correction: Marriage rates are declining because people are delaying marriage and choosing to remain single or cohabitate.
• Misunderstanding: Divorce is becoming more common because people are getting married too young.
• Correction: Divorce is becoming more common because people are getting married at an older age and are more likely to have pre-existing relationship problems.
• Misunderstanding: Remarriage is becoming more common because people are getting divorced more frequently.
• Correction: Remarriage is becoming more common because people are living longer and are more likely to experience multiple relationships over their lifetime.

Practice Questions

1. What percentage of married couples in the US has declined since 1960? A) 20% B) 30% C) 40% D) 50%

Answer: C) 40% Why correct: The percentage of married couples in the US has declined from 72% in 1960 to 48% in 2020.

1. What is the average age of first-time mothers in the US? A) 20 B) 25 C) 27.4 D) 30

Answer: C) 27.4 Why correct: The average age of first-time mothers in the US has increased from 21.4 in 1970 to 27.4 in 2020.

1. What percentage of children in the US live in stepfamilies? A) 10% B) 14.3% C) 20% D) 25%

Answer: B) 14.3% Why correct: 14.3% of children in the US live in stepfamilies, up from 9.6% in 1990.

1. What is the name of the theory that proposes that changes in the sex ratio at marriage can lead to changes in marriage rates? A) Exchange Theory B) Marriage Squeeze Theory C) De Facto Marriage Theory D) De Jure Marriage Theory

Answer: B) Marriage Squeeze Theory Why correct: Amariah Mihran proposed the "marriage squeeze" theory, which suggests that changes in the sex ratio at marriage can lead to changes in marriage rates.

1. What is the name of the study that followed a cohort of adolescents into adulthood and found that those who delayed marriage were more likely to experience divorce? A) National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health B) National Survey of Family Growth C) American Community Survey D) Pew Research Center Study

Answer: A) National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health Why correct: The study found that those who delayed marriage were more likely to experience divorce.

Quick Revision

• Amariah Mihran: Proposed the "marriage squeeze" theory.
• Peter Blau: Proposed the "exchange theory" of marriage.
• De facto marriage: A marriage-like relationship without formal legal recognition.
• De jure marriage: A formally recognized marriage.
• Serial monogamy: The practice of having multiple monogamous relationships over time.
• Polygamy: The practice of having multiple spouses at the same time.
• The "marriage gap": The gap between the marriage rates of high- and low-income individuals has widened over time.
• The "National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health": A study that followed a cohort of adolescents into adulthood.
• Pew Research Center: A study that found the percentage of married couples in the US has declined from 72% in 1960 to 48% in 2020.
• American Community Survey: A study that found the divorce rate in the US has increased from 2.5 per 1,000 married couples in 1960 to 32.8 per 1,000 in 2020.