Expanding Families

1. Expanding Families Introduction

2. Myths of the history of Family Life • Suanne Kelman (1998) describes 3 myths of the history of family life: • Family groupings consisted of large extended families until the 20th century • _________________ is unique to the industrial world • Family was primarily an economic unit until Western invention of “romantic love”

3. History Europe • Reasons to have children depended on ______class • Upper class families had children to carry on family ______ • Lower-class families needed children to contribute their __________to the family

4. In Canada, fertility rates have declined to 1.61 children per woman. • What are some reasons for declining fertility rates? • Childbearing in Canada today

5. Factors to consider: Complex issues surrounding childbirth include:

6. Women and the workforce • Traditionally, women worked until marriage • Today, _______________________families have mothers working when children are under the age of seven • Necessary for income to most families • Continue to work due to investment in their careers, social and psychological satisfaction from work

7. Advances in medicine • _________over contraception to maintain family size • Extensive use of birth control has limited cases of _______pregnancies • Artificial __________, IVF now options for individuals who have difficulty conceiving • __________ regarding prenatal health, medical screening for genetic disorders have led to decline in infant mortality rates

8. Divorce and Lack of Parental support • Children who experienced parents’ divorce may be ___________marriage and family • General struggle to balance careers and family life • Lack of _________in workplace arrangements for parents • Lack of ________to adequate child care programs

9. Even with these societal pressures, 90% of all couples state that they wish to have children Why have children?

10. Ready for children? Maybe not… • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQcMVr8tOAo

11. Parent Readiness • Parenting is the most important job you will ever have (if you decide to have them) • It can be most rewarding but at the same time the most challenging job • Very important to weigh all of the factors carefully before coming to a decision about becoming parents • its a life long commitment – even after they leave the home parents continue to provide emotional and sometimes financial support

12. Decisions, decisions, decisions… • Making childbearing decisions is a complicated procedure • While many parents do not make any conscious decisions to have children, those who do may consider some of the following criteria:

13. Decisions, decisions, decisions… • Childbearing is the result of choices that have been made • In some cases it is a well thought out, planned decision...other times the pregnancy is unplanned • But in all cases it is the result of choices • Mature couples, with adequate resources and education, who make a deliberate choice to enter parenthood have greater satisfaction and rewarding experiences.

14. Find out if you are ready to be a parent by taking this quiz

15. Select only one answer per question. Question 1: • How old are you? • 15 – 20 years of age • 21 – 25 years of age • 25 – 35 years of age • over 35 years

16. Question 2 • How many of the following habits do you have? • Smoking • Drinking more than 1 alcoholic beverage per day • Using illegal drugs • Using prescription drugs in a manner in which they weren’t prescribed • I have 3 of these habits. • I have 2 of these habits. • 1 have 1 of these habits. • I have none of these habits.

17. Question 3 • How long have you been at your current job? • I am not currently employed. • Less than 1 year • 1 to 2 years • More than 2 years

18. Question 4 • How long have you been in a serious committed relationship with your partner? • Less than 6 months • 6 to 11 months • 1 to 3 years • more than 3 years • I am not currently in a relationship.

19. Question 5 • Have you and your partner discussed having a child? • Yes • No

20. Question 6 • Have you read books or watched videos on parenting and child care? • Yes • No

21. Question 7 • Have you taken a parenting course? • Yes • No

22. Question 8 • On average, how often do you communicate with your family (parents, siblings, extended family)? • Less than once a month • 1 - 2 times a month • Once a week • 2 – 3 times a week • Almost daily

23. Question 9 • Which of the following is most important to you? • Paying off debts • Spending time with friends • Spending time with my partner • My school work/job • Participating in recreational activities and sports • Spending time with my family

24. Question 10 • What is your yearly income? • Less than $10,000 • $10,000 to $24,999 • $25,000 to $50,000 • More than $50,000

25. What is your score? • Tally up your answers and record your final score. • a) 0 b) 1 c) 3 d) 1 • a) 0 b) 0 c) 0 d) 3 • a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3 • a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3 e) 0 • a) 2 b) 0 • a) 2 b) 0 • a) 3 b) 0 • a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3 e) 3 • a) 1 b) 0 c) 2 d) 1 e) 0 f) 3 • a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3 TOTAL SCORE: ___________

26. What is your score? • Tally up your answers and record your final score. • a) 0 b) 1 c) 3 d) 1 • a) 0 b) 0 c) 0 d) 3 • a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3 • a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3 e) 0 • a) 2 b) 0 • a) 2 b) 0 • a) 3 b) 0 • a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3 e) 3 • a) 1 b) 0 c) 2 d) 1 e) 0 f) 3 • a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3 TOTAL SCORE: ___________

27. The Results

28. Ready for parenthood 24 to 28 points – From the results of this quiz it appears that you are ready to enter the world of parenting. You have considered all of the factors that determine parent readiness and your life circumstances appear to be in place. You are ready in many ways to parent; you are mentally and physically mature, financially stable and have your future mapped out. It appears that you have a stable relationship with your partner and good family support.

29. Not quite there…. 18 to 23 points – From the results of this quiz it appears that you are not quite ready to parent. You seem to have some knowledge of parenting and how to best prepare for it but right now your life circumstances don’t seem in place. More time and experiences with children may help you to get to the right place and time in your life.

30. Don’t even think about it (for a while) Under 18 points – From the results of this quiz it appears that this is not the time for you to consider the role of parent. Your priorities at this time focus more on your personal growth. You may decide later in your life to have a child when things are more stable or you may choose to remain childless.

31. Factors to consider for Would-be parents

32. When to have children • Delayed parenthood (20s vs. 30s) • Average age is now 29.6

33. Symbolic interactionism perspective • Couples choose to control their own destiny rather than follow societal norms • In pairs, examine why couples are delaying parenthood from a social exchange, functionalist and feminist perspective?

34. Number crunching • Births outside of marriage have increased while numbers in ________pregnancies have declined • Average number of children per family unit has also decreased to _____ (Campbell, October 2000)

35. Childlessness Childlessness by choice • Sometimes a _____decision • Due to lifestyle choices; marital satisfaction tends to be higher amongst these couples (Eshleman & Wilson, 2001) Natural childlessness

36. Parenting in the larger society • ___________________- less people to care for elderly in future years. Older parents may also not be able to rely on their parents for support as they did in the past • Recreation activities provided by _______ organizations (sports, after school clubs) • ______is provided by outside agencies • Children are now viewed as an ________ benefit with an attached monetary cost (Daly, 1995)

37. Article and Movie The cost of being born (questions) The real cost of raising kids (Moneysense)