Sociology 2235 Chapter Notes - Chapter 12: Genetic Marker, Structural Level, Baby Boomers

• School: Western University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: Sociology 2235
• Professor: Gale Cassidy

Document Summary

Chapter 12 families in middle and later life: patterns and dynamics of living. Two demographic trends that are re-shaping family life: 1) we are having fewer children, 2) we are living longer (adult children + parents spend more time together than ever before). Families today are highly variable, as in, we cannot just think of families in mid-life as being those composed of adults in their 40s-50s with their children already launched and with parents in their 60s, 70s, or 80s. Typical life course transitions are believed to include: home-leaving marriage parenthood grandparenthood caregiving. Death of older relatives widowhood: as individuals and families age, they become more diverse, transitions are often delayed/altered by social factors, individual choice, and cultural expectations. With the increasing demographic complexity of north american families, it is difficult to assign distinct structural markers such as age to entrance and exit from life course stages.