Family StructureAnd the influence on Students’ education

Family StructureRefers to the composition of a child’s household

Family Structure

Households w/o Children 63%

Married Couples w/Children 24%

Single Parents 7%

Multigenerational 4%

Cohabitating Adults with Children 2%

Same-Sex Couples w/Children .2%

0% 50% 100%

Household Types in the U.S.

Household Types in the U.S.

Family StructureNuclear Family:

A pair of adults and

their children

24% of children live in this

type of family with only

their biological siblings and

parents in a first marriage.

Family Structure

Single Parent:Approximately 84% are mothers and 16% are fathers45% are currently divorced or separated34.2% have never been married1.7% were widowed

Family StructureMultigenerational:

Children who live with a

grandparent or other relatives

as well as with one or both of

their parents.

Three Generations

under One Roof

Multigenerational Households

This type of family is increasing in numbers. Can you think of two reasons why this is happening?

Brainstorm (Pair-Share) with your neighbor

Write down your ideas on the worksheet

Be prepared to share your ideas with the

class

Family StructureOther types of Family Structure include:

Stepparent families

Blended families

Adoptive families

Same-Sex parent families

Foster families

Polygamous families

Family Structure Influence

Children in Nuclear Families are

more likely to be well behaved and

have health insurance.

They are less likely to have a learning

disability or attention deficit

hyperactivity disorder.

Family Structure Influence

Divorce brings transitions. Children

do not fare well if they experience too

many transitions.

Family Structure Influence

Children are more likely to adjust to

the divorce if their parents are

authoritative, minimize conflict, and

provide financial security.

Family Structure Influence

Problems may occur

at any age;

preschoolers may have

more misbehavior and

teens might show lower

achievement and

depression.

Family Structure Influence

Multigenerational

or Extended

Families are more

likely to have

grandparents and

aunts actively involved

in childrearing.

Family Structure Influence

School age children in

cohabitating families

tend to have lower

cognitive skills, social

competence, and

academic achievement

and later are more likely to

use drugs.

Family Structure Influence

Research suggests that

children with same-sex

parents are similar to other

children in their peer

relationships, GPA, gender-

typed play, behavior

problems at school, self-

esteem, depression and

delinquency.

Teachers can help

Serve as alternate

attachment figure

Teach students how

to cope with their

negative emotions

and stress

Teachers can help

Help students

develop strong

academic skills so

that they

experience

success

Teachers can help

Help student

replace aggression

with prosocial

behavior so that

their peers will

accept them.

InterventionsSchool Counselors can:provide school based interventions improve coping skillsTeachers can be helpful in finding resources for their students

Reflection on Family Structure

How has your family structure

influenced your educational

experience up to this point?

Have you overcome difficulties

and found success? Explain.

Are you struggling to adjust to

family structure changes?

Describe.

How will these experiences

enhance your teaching abilities?