Expanding Families

Expanding FamiliesIntroduction

Myths of the history of Family LifeSuanne Kelman (1998) describes

3 myths of the history of family life:◦Family groupings consisted of large

extended families until the 20th century

◦_________________ is unique to the industrial world

◦Family was primarily an economic unit until Western invention of “romantic love”

HistoryEuropeReasons to have children depended on

______classUpper class families had children to

carry on family ______Lower-class families needed children to

contribute their __________to the family

In Canada, fertility rates have declined to 1.61 children per woman.

What are some reasons for declining fertility rates?

Childbearing in Canada today

Factors to consider:Complex issues surrounding childbirth include:

Women and the workforceTraditionally, women worked until

marriageToday, _______________________families

have mothers working when children are under the age of seven

Necessary for income to most families Continue to work due to investment in

their careers, social and psychological satisfaction from work

Advances in medicine_________over contraception to maintain

family sizeExtensive use of birth control has

limited cases of _______pregnanciesArtificial __________, IVF now options for

individuals who have difficulty conceiving

__________ regarding prenatal health, medical screening for genetic disorders have led to decline in infant mortality rates

Divorce and Lack of Parental supportChildren who experienced

parents’ divorce may be ___________marriage and family

General struggle to balance careers and family life

Lack of _________in workplace arrangements for parents

Lack of ________to adequate child care programs

Even with these societal pressures, 90% of all couples state that they wish to have children

Why have children?

Ready for children? Maybe not…http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=cQcMVr8tOAo

Parent ReadinessParenting is the most important job you

will ever have (if you decide to have them)

It can be most rewarding but at the same time the most challenging job

Very important to weigh all of the factors carefully before coming to a decision about becoming parents◦ its a life long commitment – even after they

leave the home parents continue to provide emotional and sometimes financial support

Decisions, decisions, decisions…Making childbearing decisions is a

complicated procedureWhile many parents do not make

any conscious decisions to have children, those who do may consider some of the following criteria:◦ ◦ ◦ ◦

Decisions, decisions, decisions…Childbearing is the result of choices

that have been madeIn some cases it is a well thought out,

planned decision...other times the pregnancy is unplanned

But in all cases it is the result of choices◦Mature couples, with adequate resources

and education, who make a deliberate choice to enter parenthood have greater satisfaction and rewarding experiences.

FIND OUT IF YOU ARE READY TO BE A PARENT BY TAKING THIS QUIZ

Select only one answer per question. Question 1:

How old are you?a. 15 – 20 years of ageb. 21 – 25 years of agec. 25 – 35 years of aged. over 35 years

Question 2How many of the following habits do

you have? Smoking Drinking more than 1 alcoholic beverage per day Using illegal drugs Using prescription drugs in a manner in which

they weren’t prescribeda. I have 3 of these habits.b. I have 2 of these habits.c. 1 have 1 of these habits.d. I have none of these habits.

Question 3How long have you been at your

current job?a. I am not currently employed.b. Less than 1 yearc. 1 to 2 yearsd. More than 2 years

Question 4How long have you been in a

serious committed relationship with your partner?a. Less than 6 monthsb. 6 to 11 monthsc. 1 to 3 yearsd. more than 3 yearse. I am not currently in a relationship.

Question 5Have you and your partner

discussed having a child?a. Yes b. No

Question 6Have you read books or watched

videos on parenting and child care?a. Yes b. No

Question 7Have you taken a parenting

course?a. Yes b. No

Question 8On average, how often do you

communicate with your family (parents, siblings, extended family)?a. Less than once a monthb. 1 - 2 times a monthc. Once a weekd. 2 – 3 times a weeke. Almost daily

Question 9Which of the following is most

important to you?a. Paying off debtsb. Spending time with friendsc. Spending time with my partnerd. My school work/jobe. Participating in recreational

activities and sportsf. Spending time with my family

Question 10What is your yearly income?

a. Less than $10,000b. $10,000 to $24,999c. $25,000 to $50,000d. More than $50,000

What is your score? Tally up your answers and record your final score. a) 0 b) 1 c) 3 d) 1 a) 0 b) 0 c) 0 d) 3 a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3 a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3 e) 0 a) 2 b) 0 a) 2 b) 0 a) 3 b) 0 a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3 e) 3 a) 1 b) 0 c) 2 d) 1 e) 0 f) 3 a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3

TOTAL SCORE: ___________

What is your score? Tally up your answers and record your final score. a) 0 b) 1 c) 3 d) 1 a) 0 b) 0 c) 0 d) 3 a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3 a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3 e) 0 a) 2 b) 0 a) 2 b) 0 a) 3 b) 0 a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3 e) 3 a) 1 b) 0 c) 2 d) 1 e) 0 f) 3 a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3

TOTAL SCORE: ___________

The Results

Ready for parenthood24 to 28 points – From the results of this quiz it appears that you are ready to enter the world of parenting. You have considered all of the factors that determine parent readiness and your life circumstances appear to be in place. You are ready in many ways to parent; you are mentally and physically mature, financially stable and have your future mapped out. It appears that you have a stable relationship with your partner and good family support.

Not quite there….18 to 23 points – From the results of this quiz it appears that you are not quite ready to parent. You seem to have some knowledge of parenting and how to best prepare for it but right now your life circumstances don’t seem in place. More time and experiences with children may help you to get to the right place and time in your life.

Don’t even think about it (for a while)Under 18 points – From the results of this quiz it appears that this is not the time for you to consider the role of parent. Your priorities at this time focus more on your personal growth. You may decide later in your life to have a child when things are more stable or you may choose to remain childless.

Factors to consider for Would-be parents

When to have childrenDelayed

parenthood (20s vs. 30s)

Average age is now 29.6

Symbolic interactionism perspectiveCouples choose to control their

own destiny rather than follow societal norms

In pairs, examine why couples are delaying parenthood from a social exchange, functionalist and feminist perspective?

Number crunchingBirths outside of marriage have

increased while numbers in ________pregnancies have declined

Average number of children per family unit has also decreased to _____ (Campbell, October 2000)

ChildlessnessChildlessness by choiceSometimes a _____decisionDue to lifestyle choices; marital

satisfaction tends to be higher amongst these couples (Eshleman & Wilson, 2001)

Natural childlessness

Parenting in the larger society___________________- less people to care

for elderly in future years. Older parents may also not be able to rely on their parents for support as they did in the past

Recreation activities provided by _______ organizations (sports, after school clubs)

______is provided by outside agenciesChildren are now viewed as an ________

benefit with an attached monetary cost (Daly, 1995)

Article and MovieThe cost of being born (questions)

The real cost of raising kids (Moneysense)