The nuclear family, as stated by Coontz consists of a family including a father, mother, and child. This family structure is generally ideal but it is not realistic. This concept of family is one that is virtually becoming extinct. In today's rapidly changing society there are few men who are the sole provider due to them being overthrown by the new age "independent women". The United States is a society bearing the culture whereas it is not important to get married, have kids and live happily ever after. There is now a divorce rate according to Kreider of 50 percent. With percentages this high there is minimum chance that the children of this generation will grow up in a home with both parents. .
This family structure is not one that all United States citizens should attempt to conform, it is one of which all would like to achieve. The citizens of the United States are leading such a fast paced lifestyle that the nuclear family is redefining itself. Many families lack either a mother, father, .
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or even children in the United States. In my family which consisted of my mother and sister instead of being a nuclear family are family was non-traditional. As stated by Jack a family lacking a parent was a non- traditional family. This family structure was more than enough for me, and it was fully capable of instilling guidance and love. Single parents are in abundance (11.9 million) and growing in accordance to U.S. Census Bureau. Although being a single parent is a hard role, seeing as they have to be the sole provider they usually get assistance from people outside the community. In my family my single parent mother got support from my othermother who was my grandmother. An othermother as defined by Collins is "women who assist bloodmothers by sharing mothering responsibilities". My other mother raised me as if I were her child while my bloodmother carried out other single parent duties.
Another family structure now on the rise are gay parents with children.
