| Fifty years ago, the American family consisted of | | | | together for years and share a good relationship with |
| two married parents who were usually of the same | | | | their children. When asked, most of these couples |
| ethnic background and their children. Times have | | | | state that they are married as far as they are |
| definitely changed. Today, children are being raised in | | | | concerned. The children that are growing up in this |
| households with every type of family unit imaginable. | | | | type of family unit do not seem to be detrimentally |
| Interracial relations have become more commonplace | | | | affected by these circumstances. |
| than they were a few years ago. The children that | | | | More American families consist of a grandparent who |
| are a result of these relationships do not have to | | | | is raising her grandchildren. For one reason or another, |
| deal with the problems and challenges that were | | | | the child's own parents cannot raise their children. To |
| faced by ethnically mixed children of the past. That | | | | prevent their grandchildren from entering the foster |
| does not mean that they have no problems at all, | | | | care system, the grandparent steps in as the main |
| however. Teaching your child to embrace and | | | | provider. This situation can cause a number of |
| celebrate their race can help build their self esteem | | | | difficulties. A retired grandparent may need to go |
| and help them to feel as though they "fit in" with | | | | back to work in order to financially support her |
| other children. | | | | grandchildren. These older individuals may not have |
| Unfortunately, divorce has also become more | | | | the stamina that is required in caring for these |
| commonplace in today's society. Some researchers | | | | youngsters. This type of family also destroys any |
| estimate that 80% of all homes are headed by a | | | | normal grandparent/grandchild bonding as the |
| single parent, usually the mother. This situation can be | | | | grandparent is no longer a trusted friend but is now |
| extremely difficult for children, especially little boys, | | | | an authority figure. |
| who need a male role model in their lives. If you are | | | | Not quite as common are children that are being |
| divorced and do not have custody of your children, | | | | raised by same-sex parents. As gay marriages |
| you should try to remain as involved in your children's | | | | continue to be legalized in more and more states, this |
| lives as you can. | | | | type of family may occur more often. This type of |
| You and your ex spouse should also agree not to | | | | situation will create its own set of problems, including |
| talk negatively about each other in front of the | | | | custody issues if one parent leaves or dies |
| children. This can lead to the children to feel hostile | | | | unexpectedly. There will need to be new legislature |
| towards the absent parent. | | | | passed to deal with the issues of children in a |
| Another type of American family that is becoming | | | | same-sex family unit. |
| more common is couples who choose to live | | | | The traditional American family is becoming a thing of |
| together without marriage. Many of these couples | | | | the past. To help your children deal with the issues |
| claim that they are happier than their married | | | | that pertain to your type of family, you may need to |
| counterparts as they stay in the relationship because | | | | talk to a family therapist or other type of family |
| they want to, not because they feel as though they | | | | professional. |
| have to. Some of these partners have been | | | | |