Children and Families

As the Learning Resources this week show, the definition of family continues to grow and change. Innovations in medicine, legal decisions, and shifts in societal attitudes have made nontraditional family structures not only possible, but also more common. Women can raise children as single mothers by choice, by adopting or using a donor, and adoption, donorship, and surrogacy make it possible for same-sex couples to have children as well. Moreover, nearly 50% of children experience the divorce of their parents, and many live in blended families, with step-parents, step-siblings, etc. As this week's resources also show, however, these new family structures are not without complications and controversy. In this Discussion, you will consider how family structures influence children. Based on the research and your personal experiences, reflect on the following:

Do you think there is an ideal family structure for children to grow up within? If so, what does it entail? If not, why not?

Do you think this skepticism and fear are warranted? Why or why not?

How might growing up in family with a single mother, divorced parents, or same-sex parents (choose one) be beneficial?

With these thoughts in mind, follow the instructions below to post your response to this Discussion topic.

Post a summary of your thoughts on what an ideal family structure for children entails and why, or, why you do not believe an ideal family structure for children exists. Then, describe at least two specific challenges a child raised by a single mother, divorced parents, or same-sex parents might face, including how these challenges might compare to those faced by children raised in two-parent homes. Finally, describe at least one benefit a child might reap from growing up in a nontraditional family. Be sure to cite the Learning Resources to support your thinking.

Article: Bazelon, E. (2009, February 1). 2 kids + 0 husbands = family. New York Times Magazine, 30-36.

Retrieved from the ProQuest Central database.