The biggest change between 1990 and 2000 in the structure of the American family is the larger number of householder-unmarried partner-natural child. In 2000, this was the seventh most common type of household, with 1.6 million in representation. In 53 percent of households that included a grandparent, a partner for the householder was not present (U.S. Census Bureau). So the intergeneration trend of having a grandparent present appeared, at least in part, to help householders deal with the challenges of raising a child without a present parent.
There are some obvious benefits to having a grandparent around and taking part in the raising of children. Grandparents provide an additional source of affection and love (Sulekha); if they are retired, they are a more stable figure to greet the child(ren) at the end of the school day, and even when there is a partner present in the situation, more often than not both the householder and partner are working full-time jobs, so the grandparent can provide attention that the children may or may not receive otherwise. Grandparents can also contribute financially to the household and provide important life lessons to the children (Sulekha).
The fact that marriage is happening later and later in life for many people, and that many couples are not marrying at all, and that single parenthood is on the rise, means that the family will continue to alter in its composition. Over time, the idea of the nuclear family may in fact become obsolete. Same-sex marriage means that the composition of the partners will change, and the increase of cohabitation without marriage may provide an even more temporary nature to relationships.
Works Cited
Sulekha. “6 Important Benefits of Living with Grandparents.” 2014. Web. 18 May 2016.
U.S. Census Bureau. “Examining American Household Composition: 1990 and 2000.” August
2005. Web. 18 May 2016.
