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2: Diversity in Family Life

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    298189

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    • 2.1: Learning Objectives
      This page outlines the learning objectives for the chapter "Diversity in Family Life".
    • 2.2: Introduction
      This page provides a brief introduction to the chapter “Diversity in Family Life” and highlights the key topics that will be explored.
    • 2.3: Exploring Diversity in Family Life
      This page explores the Standard North American Family (SNAF) model, which depicts a heterosexual, married couple with defined gender roles. It argues that this model is outdated, as modern American families now encompass a variety of structures, including single-parent and same-sex households. In addition, the page provides examples of societies in which nuclear families are not the primary family structure.
    • 2.4: Polygamy and Consensual Non-Monogamy
      This page explores different relationship and marriage arrangements, including monogamy, polygamy, polygyny, and polyandry. It also examines forms of consensual non-monogamy (CNM), including polyamory, open relationships, and swinging.
    • 2.5: Cohabitation
      This page discusses the growing prevalence of cohabitation—two people living together in an intimate relationship without being legally married. For some couples, cohabitation is a step toward marriage, although research suggests that it does not necessarily lead to more successful marriages. For others, cohabitation is an alternative to marriage.
    • 2.6: Same-Sex Couples and LGBTQ+ Families
      This page examines the rise of same-sex couples in the U.S., comprising 1.7% of partner-headed households, the role of greater legal and social acceptance, and the importance of chosen families. It also notes that same-sex couples are more likely to adopt or foster children.
    • 2.7: Living Apart Together (LAT)
      This page explains Living Apart Together (LAT), a marriage or relationship arrangement in which committed couples maintain separate homes. It explores reasons why couples choose LAT and notes that it is becoming more common, particularly in later-life relationships.
    • 2.8: Singlehood
      This page examines patterns of singlehood in the United States, including differences by age, gender, race, and geography. It also explores social pressures to marry and the growing acceptance of singlehood as a satisfying and legitimate way of life.
    • 2.9: Single-Parent Families
      This page examines the prevalence and experiences of single-parent families in the United States. It explores how economic inequality and other structural factors shape the challenges faced by single-parent families, particularly single mothers.
    • 2.10: Blended Families
      This page discusses the prevalence of blended families in the U.S., noting that about 16% of children are in these families, a statistic that has remained stable since the 1980s due to divorce and remarriage. Blended families form in several ways including divorce, remarriage, cohabitation, and prior parenthood.
    • 2.11: Foster Families
      This page examines the role of foster families in the U.S. child welfare system, including why children enter foster care and how foster care has changed over time. It also highlights the importance of safety, stability, and maintaining sibling relationships for children in foster placement.
    • 2.12: Conclusion
      This page provides concluding remarks for the chapter “Diversity in Family Life” and highlights the key ideas and themes covered throughout the chapter.

    Acknowledgments

    I am very grateful to Chabot College student Dorcas Kyeiwa Sarpong for reviewing this chapter draft and providing thoughtful feedback from a student perspective.

    Thumbnail Attribution

    Chapter header image: Happy Family Circle Small, via OpenClipart. Public domain (CC0). 

    This page titled 2: Diversity in Family Life was last modified on Tue, 02 Jun 2026 21:34:28 GMT and is shared under a mixed 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Sarah Earl-Novell via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.