The Changing Fabric of the U.S. Family

A mentor of mine wrote this. It is extremely interesting. What do you think?


The family is the basic foundation of a strong country. Yet, there are some troubling long-term trends that indicate a dramatic change in the structure of the U.S. family.

Let’s consider three major changes in U.S. society.

1. College enrollment in the U.S. in 2010 is now 57% female and 43% male, the largest male gap in history since women were strongly encouraged to live full lives and aspire to careers outside of the home. This represents excellent progress and independence for women. Men have somehow lost their enthusiasm for going to college, hence the 14% gap. At U.S. colleges, women will meet fewer college educated men than in previous decades.

2. In 1960, 3% of all births were to unmarried mothers. In 2009, 42% of all births were to unmarried mothers. In one segment of U.S. society, over 70% of all births were to unmarried mothers. We know very well that it is extremely difficult to raise children as a single mother, work to gain an income, and also provide the time necessary to be a good parent and role model. In general, children thrive best in families with two loving parents with at least one having a good job.

3. About 93% of all U.S. residents in jails and prisons are male. The incarcerated population doubled in thirty years from about 250,000 in 1950 to 500,000 in 1980 (up 250,000). In the next 30 years, by 2010, the incarcerated population increased to about 2,500,000 (up 2,000,000).

The reasons for these trends are extremely complicated!!! However, I will submit an analysis that is one possible explanation. I would hope that many people will come forward with their best analysis and recommendations.

The family is the basic unit of society. It provides for the training of children via role modeling and parenting. It appears that the changes in the sexual mores of U.S. society and the increase in the divorce rate in the last 50 years have weakened the family unit. Boys and men appear to have decreased their sense of responsibility to the raising of children. Good role modeling and parenting has slipped leaving many children with less positive parental guidance.

The lack of family coherence, love and discipline has led some children to not value school, to become involved with drugs, and to sometimes become involved with gangs and criminal behavior. The reasons that boys join gangs appear to be related to a desire to belong and be accepted. The ways to reverse these trends are complicated, but certainly involve the critical importance of effective role modeling and parenting in a loving atmosphere in a family.

All children are copy cats and accept as “truth” and “how life is lived” what they see and hear from their mother and father in the first six years of their life. Parents are the first and most important teachers of every child. First grade teachers can predict with over 90% accuracy, which children will likely graduate from high school. Hence, “Role Modeling and Parenting” training is critical for all twelve year olds, at the time that a girl/woman becomes pregnant, and at the time of the birth of a child. A strong society requires this attention to improving the strength of the fabric of the U.S. family ASAP. Real progress will likely take three generations!!! “Role Modeling and Parenting” can be downloaded FREE from the Home Page of my Futurist website: www.2020and2035.com.


Prepared by: Bill Peter, Consultant/Futurist billpeter@billpeter.net www.2020and2035.com
6650 Vernon Hills Road Edina, MN 55436 952.933.6850