Key Concepts of Marriage and Family Studies

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and ideas presented in the student's lecture notes on family dynamics, marriage, parenting styles, and societal changes.

What is the primary definition of 'single' according to the Census Bureau?

Unmarried.

In what year did the percentage of unmarried US adults rise to about 22%?

Today.

What are four reasons mentioned for the increase in unmarried adults?

Increased widowed elderly, high divorce rates, young adults postponing marriage, and rising cohabitation.

Which racial group has the highest percentage of never-married individuals?

Black men and women.

What demographic change has influenced marriage options in the US?

Sex ratio.

What has contributed to the current situation where women outnumber men demographically?

Immigration patterns and improved women's health.

What effect do expanded educational options have on marriage for women?

They tend to postpone marriage.

What is the remarriage rate for men compared to women?

Almost double for men.

How do economic changes influence marriage availability?

Growing economic disadvantage makes marriage less accessible.

How has cultural perception changed regarding singlehood?

Singlehood is now seen as an acceptable option.

What does LAT stand for in living arrangements?

Living Alone Together.

What began in Denmark and spread to the US in the early 1980s?

Co-housing.

What term describes group living that provides social support and companionship?

Communal living.

What is the trend regarding cohabitation from 1987 to 2013 for women aged 19-44?

Increased from 22% to 65%.

List three reasons why people choose to cohabit.

Prelude to marriage, alternative to marriage, alternative to being single.

What percentage of cohabitors are likely to be divorced?

55%.

What are the four stages of societal acceptance for cohabitation?

Couples marry before living together, cohabitation as courtship, socially acceptable alternative, indistinguishable from marriage.

How are cohabitors typically different from married couples in terms of finance?

Cohabitors pool finances to a lesser extent.

What is one characteristic of 'here and now' cohabiting relationships?

Focus is on the present, not future.

What emotional impact does cohabitation tend to have on relationship satisfaction among couples?

Satisfaction declines with children added.

What is the term for cohabitors living separately but in a committed relationship?

Living Alone Together (LAT).

What type of cohabitator may prioritize economic convenience over romance?

Money savers.

What do children living in cohabiting households generally experience compared to those in married households?

More instability and disruption.

What proportion of children in cohabitation come from nonmarital births?

More than half occur to cohabiting mothers.

List two factors positively correlated with children from cohabiting families.

Cohabiting couples spend less on education and have higher instability rates.

What do social networks contribute to singles' life satisfaction?

Support and interaction with friends and family.

In what year did the Netherlands enact the first civil marriage law?

1590.

What was the legal marriage license requirement introduced in England?

1754.

What document notes the decline of married Americans from 72% in 1960 to 49% in 2018?

Proportion of married Americans.

What is the common misconception associated with marriage expectations?

That it automatically brings happiness.

What term describes a marriage arrangement that permits spouses to love others sexually?

Polyamory.

What is polygamy?

Having more than one spouse.

List two historical types of marriages that are no longer widely accepted today.

Polygamy and institutionalized marriage.

What factors led to a decline in the authority of kin in marriage practices?

Individualism and personal choice.

Cohabiting relationships are often characterized by what significant challenge?

Greater issues with emotional stability than married couples.

What are the negative societal impacts noted for children raised in unstable family structures?

Higher rates of premarital intercourse and antisocial behaviors.

What percentage of children live with unmarried parents?

40% of births today are to unmarried women.

What shift in perspective have nontraditional families experienced in societal views?

Greater acceptance of nonmarital parenthood.

What is an implication of the marriage gap noted in the lecture?

Economic challenges affect the ability to marry.

What has been linked to depression rates among cohabiting relationships?

Higher incidence of depression compared to married peers.

What recommendation is often shared regarding conflict resolution in relationships?

Use 'I' statements to express feelings.

What research notes the relationship between economic stability and child outcomes?

Children in married families tend to fare better.

What challenges do single parents report regarding support systems?

Feeling stigmatized and experiencing societal isolation.

Define authoritative parenting style.

Combines emotional nurturing and support with conscientious parental direction.

What has been observed regarding the wage gap?

Women earn 81% of what men earned in 2018.

How does social class impact parenting behaviors?

Higher SES leads to better resources and information for parenting.

What is the critical factor for positive child development in parenting styles?

Parental warmth combined with expectation.

What significant trend has been noted regarding teen births between 1957 and 2015?

Declined by 77%.

How do economic disadvantages affect parenting style and engagement?

Lower income leads to less consistent each approach.

What percentage of child adoption cases involve internationally adopted children?

About 18,000 cases of children from outside the country as of 2004.

Identify one critical component of family cohesion.

High degree of commitment to family welfare.

What are the unique challenges regarding communication mentioned in the lecture?

Ongoing conflict and differing ideologies of intimate relationships.

What are the four horsemen identified by Gottman regarding relationship communication?

Contempt, criticism, defensiveness, stonewalling.

What is the main focus of evidence-based couple therapy?

Teaching supportive communication techniques.

What does the concept of relationship barometer refer to?

Women's role in assessing relationship dynamics and making adjustments.

What aspect of parenting impacts children's educational outcomes positively?

Parental involvement.

What is the relationship dynamic between involved fathers and children's development?

Improves cognitive, emotional, and behavioral outcomes.

What phenomenon describes excessive parental involvement affecting children’s independence?

Hyper parenting.

How important is economic status to parenting styles according to the lecture?

It significantly influences parenting behavior and child outcomes.

Why might a dual-earner couple experience marital instability?

Due to the stress of balancing work and family obligations.

What kind of parenting style is characterized by nurturing yet high monitoring?

Authoritative.

Identify the aspect of parenting that significantly shapes children's social competence.

Parental warmth.

What is one potential downside of early parenthood?

Limited opportunities for education.

How do working mothers contribute positively to children’s well-being?

Providing economic support and modeling work ethics.

What common societal issue did many low income families face according to the notes?

Child poverty.

How does the media portray diverse family structures today?

Increasingly accepting of various family forms.

What is the relationship between marriage and economic well-being noted in the lecture?

Marriage is associated with higher economic stability.

What are the psychological benefits of social support networks for single individuals?

Enhanced life satisfaction.

Explain the significance of co-residence with extended family according to the lecture.

It offers practical and emotional support for family members.

What is the expected trend regarding dual-earner couples in marriages?

They tend to be the most common family form today.

How do unmarried mothers often support their children according to the insights in the notes?

By creating resilient support networks.

What do children in one-child families benefit from, according to several studies?

More attention and resources from parents.

What is the definition of mixed messages in communication?

Contradictory messages that confuse the recipient.

What impact does parental employment have on social dynamics within families?

It influences financial stability and time distribution among family members.

What parenting style leads to lower academic success in children?

Authoritarian and permissive styles.

What is a common characteristic of hyper-parenting described in the notes?

Excessive involvement that can hinder children's independence.

How do children's outcomes vary in single-parent households versus married households?

Single-parent households may experience more challenges.

What is a major predictor of marital satisfaction across different studies?

The age at which individuals marry.

What common misunderstanding exists about the relationship between marriage and happiness?

Marriage does not automatically lead to happiness.

What emotional needs should parents strive to meet according to studies?

Parental acceptance, love, and encouragement.

What shift happened regarding societal norms around marriage and parenthood?

Less stigma for nonmarital births and cohabitation.

What role does 'emotional intelligence' play in relationships?

Ability to understand emotions enhances relationship communication.

What insight does the lecture provide about family roles and expectations?

They are evolving and becoming less traditional.

What do experts suggest as a balance in family dynamics?

A reasonable level of cohesion with individual autonomy.

What is a significant concern that critics express about the decline of marriage?

Increased family dissolution and associated social issues.

What common issues do couples face when communicating about serious topics?

Conflict avoidance and emotional distance.

What is one characteristic of cohesive families highlighted in the lecture?

Positive communication patterns.

What does the term 'enmeshment' refer to in family dynamics?

Too much cohesion leading to loss of individual autonomy.

What is the importance of shared experiences in marital relationships?

They strengthen the emotional bond between partners.

How do employment patterns influence children's development in families?

Parental employment correlates with financial stability and childcare quality.

What has research noted about the societal changes in parenting roles?

Increased involvement of fathers in child-rearing.

What is the potential impact of single parenthood on children's social development?

Risk of lower social competence and higher behavioral issues.

How do cultural differences influence parenting styles?

They affect norms and expectations about child-rearing.

What concept describes the effectiveness of relationship counseling?

70% of those receiving treatment show improvement.

When do familial relationships typically exhibit strain?

During transitions such as divorce, unemployment, or economic challenges.

What factor is often overlooked in analyzing children's behaviors and achievements?

Influence of extended family support.

What element is essential for successful family communication?

Regular expression of affection and interest.

How can conflict in marriages strengthen relationships?

By fostering mutual growth and understanding when resolved.

Describe one way parents manage their duties while working.

Balancing workplace responsibilities with childcare needs.

What is typically the goal of various family policies mentioned in the notes?

Support family stability across diverse structures.