Five changes of family structure in developed countries
Ren Kou Yan Jiu 1987(4): 62
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 1000-6087 PMID: 12159298 Document Number: 356563
5 changes in family structure in developed countries are presented in light of studying trends in Chinese population and family. They are: 1) unmarried co-habitation and single households are increasing in number. Chinese tradition does not recognize single or unmarried households. The West has in recent years advocated giving household status to singles and unmarried cohabitants because these numbers are increasing. For example, in the U.S. in 1980 there were 270,000 unmarried couples living together, and 30% of the adult population were single; 21.9% of Swedish adults were single, as were 19.6% of French adults. 2) Nuclear families are taking place of the extended family. For example, 60% of Soviet families are nuclear families. 3) The occupational structure of adults is changing. Because over 40% of women in developed countries are in the work force, changes in the home include the woman's economic status, her authority, the needs of the family, and life style. 4) Broken homes are on the rise. Between 1970-1980 in the Soviet Union, on the average broken homes increased annually by 300,000-400,000. 5) There exist important breakthroughs in genetic engineering and medical research.