What really What really defines an defines an American American Family?Family?

American family, the first thought that comes American family, the first thought that comes to mind is often a nuclear family. But now, to mind is often a nuclear family. But now, times have changed and the definition of times have changed and the definition of an American Family has many meanings. an American Family has many meanings. There is one fact about an American There is one fact about an American family, that there is no set guidelines for a family, that there is no set guidelines for a family. There are many types of them.family. There are many types of them.

Nuclear Families: ProsNuclear Families: Pros

• Everyone is related by blood.Everyone is related by blood.

• This is the outline of a family in the Bible.This is the outline of a family in the Bible.

• No negative image in the nuclear family.No negative image in the nuclear family.

• There is no relation problems with ex-There is no relation problems with ex-family members.family members.

• Often viewed as a functional family group.Often viewed as a functional family group.

Nuclear Families: ConsNuclear Families: Cons

• The most stereotypical image of an The most stereotypical image of an American Family.American Family.

• The nuclear family is diminishing from the The nuclear family is diminishing from the society.society.

• There are often have high expectations of There are often have high expectations of a nuclear family.a nuclear family.

Adopted Families: ProsAdopted Families: Pros

• Can give orphans a caring family to grow Can give orphans a caring family to grow up in.up in.

• Can give couples children who cannot Can give couples children who cannot have children on their own.have children on their own.

• Support from the government and local Support from the government and local organizations are in large numbers.organizations are in large numbers.

• Can move children into better Can move children into better environments.environments.

Adopted Families: ConsAdopted Families: Cons

• Sometimes kids do not accept their Sometimes kids do not accept their adopted families.adopted families.

• Sometimes children are adopted for the Sometimes children are adopted for the wrong reasons.wrong reasons.

• Other children in the family might get Other children in the family might get jealous.jealous.

Gay Families: ProsGay Families: Pros

• Gay people are usually secure about who Gay people are usually secure about who they are.they are.

• As outcasts, gays are generally nice As outcasts, gays are generally nice because they have been ridiculed. because they have been ridiculed.

• Children can grow up in a loving place.Children can grow up in a loving place.

• Children are exposed early on to different Children are exposed early on to different aspects of American lifestyles and can aspects of American lifestyles and can decide which path they want to follow.decide which path they want to follow.

Gay Families: ConsGay Families: Cons

• Often the target of controversy and hate Often the target of controversy and hate crimes.crimes.

• Can confuse children.Can confuse children.

• Not in God’s plan for family life.Not in God’s plan for family life.

• Harder for gay families to be accepted in Harder for gay families to be accepted in society.society.

Single Parent Families: ProsSingle Parent Families: Pros

• Tend to depend on family members a lot Tend to depend on family members a lot more than normal, which connects them.more than normal, which connects them.

• It is more accepted in today’s society.It is more accepted in today’s society.

• Parent to child relationships can be Parent to child relationships can be developed easier.developed easier.

Single Parent Families: ConsSingle Parent Families: Cons

• Parent have to work more to support the Parent have to work more to support the kids.kids.

• Children have to take on more Children have to take on more responsibilities making them grow up responsibilities making them grow up faster.faster.

• The parent has to be both mom and dad.The parent has to be both mom and dad.

• Not as many role models for the kids to Not as many role models for the kids to follow.follow.

Immigrated Families: ProsImmigrated Families: Pros

• Bring a variety of cultures to America.Bring a variety of cultures to America.

• America is made up of immigrated America is made up of immigrated families.families.

• Get many benefits from the governments. Get many benefits from the governments.

• Bring different view points to better the Bring different view points to better the American way of life.American way of life.

Immigrated Families: ConsImmigrated Families: Cons

• People are racist toward some cultures of People are racist toward some cultures of people.people.

• Bring controversial issues from their Bring controversial issues from their country.country.

• May not speak English and cannot adapt May not speak English and cannot adapt to our culture.to our culture.

• Sometime people may take advantage of Sometime people may take advantage of them. them.

Divorce Families: ProsDivorce Families: Pros

• Can separate abusive spouses.Can separate abusive spouses.

• Can create a good net of support.Can create a good net of support.

• Can take a negative role model out of a Can take a negative role model out of a child’s life.child’s life.

• Can give the parents a new start.Can give the parents a new start.

• It is becoming more accepted.It is becoming more accepted.

Divorce Families: ConsDivorce Families: Cons

• Family members don’t always get along Family members don’t always get along with the step families.with the step families.

• It can be traumatic for the child.It can be traumatic for the child.

• Child can have abusive step family.Child can have abusive step family.

• It can negatively change people’s lives.It can negatively change people’s lives.

• It is used more and more today’s society.It is used more and more today’s society.

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