Factors Influencing Families

  1. Cultural factors are things that shape a person’s expectations for the different roles of various family members
  2. Chinese newlyweds often have his parents live with them. To the parents it is a public sign of their successful parenting.
  3. Marriages arranged by two families occur between 2 people.
  4. Marriages between 2 socio-economic classes of people
  1. Societal factors affect the family by introducing new ideas that sometimes coincide with or go against what the parents have taught their children.
  2. freedoms of speech opens a child to new ideas
  3. public education also opens a child to new ideas
  4. peer relationships open up new cultures and families
  5. advertising and other media expose and influence individuals contrary to their home training
  1. Demographic factors (What are demographics? The statistical qualities or data of the human population.) During the past 50 years there has been an increase in the number of dual income families, extended families, and senior citizens. Also the American family unit has become more mobile.
  1. Economic forces affect the family. Home or job loss due to the national economy, the stress of job seeking by a parent on the family and the stress of a dual-income family are all economic forces that affect the family.

5. Technological factors affect the family.

  • banking on-line, A.T.M.’ and banking by mail
  • telecommuting allows workers to work from home and have more flexible hours
  • global communication has become instantaneous and easy. Soldiers that are a world away can video conference their families, international calling is commonplace now.
  • on-Line university/college courses and programs of study
  • on-line dating and mate selection organizations
  • technological advances in the field of medicine have affected longevity, child birth, heart disease, cancer and stroke recovery, loss of limbs, etc.

6. Time and energy saving appliances and services have created more free time for families. Families can pursue hobbies and education together and/or spend time volunteering outside of the family.

  • use of washer and dryer instead of washtubs and washboards
  • frozen foods, microwave and convection ovens,
  • restaurant meals and To-Go meals
  • housekeeping appliance and services
  • cars/minivans have become moving homes suitable for family meals, entertainment, as well as transportation