Changes in a Family
Over the past 50 years
Parents
In the past the typical family consisted of a mom, dad, and at least 1 child, otherwise known as the nuclear family. There were no homosexual families because they were not to be heard of. Now gay families are not that uncommon. From the graph below it says that straight couples with children are at 43% and gay couples with children is at 32-38%.
Nuclear Family
Average mother, father, children family.
Homosexual Family
Two mothers/fathers and children.
Gay v. Straight Couples
This shows that married straight couples and married gay couples are quite similar.
Work
Work can be very difficult on a family. Jobs can strain the mother's and father's ability to spend time with their children and with each other. In 1997 one-fourth to one-third of working parents said they don't feel like they have enough time to their families and to themselves. When parents don't get enough time with their kids they may grow a distant relationship and put strain on the marriage which can lead to divorce.