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AmericanFamilyValuesAmericanSocietyandCultureMay2015TianhuaCollegeWhatDoesItMean?Whenaskedabouttheirfamilyvalues,mostpeoplefinditdifficulttodefine.Intoday’sage,theverydefinitionoffamilyvaries.The“values”arethebeliefsandmoralesthatareimportanttothatfamily.TraditionallyThemanisthebreadwinner.Thewomanisthecaretakerofthehomeandchildren.RaisingtheirbiologicalchildrenandteachingthemtheAmericanValues:Freedom,HardWork,Competitive.TheChangeThetraditionalfamilyhasbeenchangingoverthelastcentury(1900),butespeciallysincethe1950s.TheRepublicanPartyhasadoptedthattheyrepresent“traditional”familyvaluessincethe1980s.Democratsaremorebroadintheirdefinitionofthefamilyandfocusmoreworkingfamilyvalues.RepublicansTheyuseittoattractthesocialyconservative,tyingitinwiththenuclearfamilyand(mostofthetime)Christianvalues.Thesevaluesinclude:oppositiontosexoutsideofmarriageTraditionalgenderrolesNoGayMarriageAnti-AbortionConservativelegislationandeducationpoliciesTraditionalBeliefsOppositiontopre-maritalsexOppositiontosame-sexmarriageBeliefintraditionalhome-basedrolesforwomenBeliefinChristian-basedvaluesOppositiontosomeelementsoffeminismOppositiontoabortionwhileactivelysupportingabstinenceeducationBeliefinadoptionasanalternativetoabortionBeliefinprogramsandpublicpoliciesthatshieldchildrenfromexploitationOppositiontoseparationofchurchandstateBeliefinfatherashead-of-householdDemocratsTheydon’tdefinethefamilyinthetraditionalsense,oruseittopromoteconservativemorality.Theypromote:Alternativefamilystructures(Same-SexCouples,Single-ParentHousholds,Adoptionofchildrenbygaycouples)AccestocontraceptionandabortionLivingwageSexeductionSocialProgramsFinancialAidforfamilesContemporaryBeliefsSupportfortheuniversallivingwagemodeltoimprovelivelihoodBeliefinacceptanceofnon-traditionalfamiliesthatmayincludesame-sexandpolygamouslong-termrelationships,aswellassingle-parentfamiliesBeliefinawoman'srighttoabortionBeliefinPlannedParenthoodprogramsthatoffercontraceptionBeliefingovernment-fundedfinancialaidtofamiliesSupportforsexeducationinpublicschoolsBeliefinpracticingandteachingtolerance,patienceandunderstandingforalternativelifestylesBeliefinuniversalhealthcareandfamily-friendlyemploymentlaws(maternityleave,personalleave,emergencyfamilyleave)SupportforfreedomofreligionInterestingFindingsPopulationstudieshavefoundthatin2004and2008,liberal-voting(blue)stateshavelowerratesofdivorceandteenagepregnancythanconservative-voting(red)states.JuneCarbone,authorofRedFamiliesvs.BlueFamilies,opinesthatthedrivingfactoristhatpeopleinliberalstatestendtowaitlongerbeforegettingmarried.A2002governmentsurveyfoundthat95%ofadultAmericanshadhadpremaritalsex.Themedianageoffirstpremaritalsexhasdroppedinthattime(1950s)from20.4to17.6.So…theyhavechanged…?1998Study:52%ofwomenand42%ofmen--loving,takingcareof,andsupportingeachother38%ofwomenand35%ofmen--knowingrightfromwrongandhavinggoodvalues2%ofwomenand1%men--traditionalfamilyThesurveynotedthat93%ofallwomenthoughtthatsocietyshouldvaluealltypesoffamiliesStudycomparing1976,1986,&2007:Self-RespectincreasedSenseofSecuritydecreasedSocietymoreself-confidantandindividualisticCommonDenominatorBothAgree:LovingandsupportingfamilyunittheoneGoodmoralesandstrongattributesintheirchildrenConcluseionTherearedifferencesbetweenthe“traditiona”and“modern”valuesanddefinitionoftheAmericanfamily.YettheystillupholdthecoreAmericanValues,e.g.self-expression,independence,hard-work,competitive,self-reliance….