Question

Discuss the three major historical changes affecting family life in the past 50 years. Include a discussion of how these historical changes may affect adolescents.

Answer 1

One of the most important changes that came in the society is the increased amount of women working outside their homes. This would mean that most of the children were left alone or in the care of another. Second change was the increased amount of live-in relationship that left many children live with one of the biological parents which meant that children missed one of the biological parents and forced to live in step-parent homes. Thirdly, the number of single parent families, grandparent families and LGBTQ families have come into existence that left children not to have a traditional family environment. One of the most important implications this had on adolescents is that they were not able to grow in a committed parental family and this would mean that parents were very much worried about their own lives without worrying about their children. This led adolescents to engage in various deviant behaviours while at the same time grow without much attachment towards people. Secondly, constant change in the family environment affected the wholesome development in terms of education, relationships, social exposure, affection etc. of the adolescents although it also gave them more independency.

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