CIVICS IN PRACTICE

HOLT

Chapter 13

Citizenship and the Family

Section 1:
Section 2:
Section 3:

The Changing Family

Law and the Family
Your Family and You

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Section 1: The Changing Family

The Main Idea
From colonial times to today, the American family has changed
in many ways. However, the family still plays an important
role in teaching young people the lessons that will stay with
them for the rest of their lives.
Reading Focus
How has the American family changed since colonial times?
What are some new trends in marriage and family life?
Why is the number of two-income families increasing, and
what additional stresses do single-parent families face?
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Section 1: The Changing Family

Urbanization and the American Family

Colonial families lived and worked together on farms.
Colonial families were large, and children were

economic assets.
1800sprogress in science and technology brought
workers to the cities
City families worked outside the home and became part
of the social and economic life of the city.
Families were no longer self-sufficient units.
One in four Americans lives in a rural area today.
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Section 1: The Changing Family

Reasons people are delaying marriage:

Living single is more acceptable today.
They wish to finish their education and start

careers.
More people are living together without getting
married.

Blended families result from remarriages when one

or both spouses bring children from a previous
marriage.
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Section 1: The Changing Family

Single-parent families:
Single-parent families often must make do

with smaller incomes.

Single-parents have more responsibility than
two-parent families.
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Section 1: The Changing Family

Two-income families:
Many married women work out of economic

necessity.
More women are educated and interested in
careers.
More men are helping with household tasks
and childcare.
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SECTION 1

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Question: Why are people delaying marriage,

and what are blended families?
People are delaying
marriage because

The term blended

family means

being single is more

accepted

families that are

formed when one or
both partners bring
children from a
previous
relationship into the
new marriage

they want to finish

their education and
start a career

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HOLT

Section 2: Law and the Family

The Main Idea
U.S. law is set up to protect the well-being of children
and families.
Reading Focus
What is the purpose of the various laws regulating
marriage?
How do state laws work to protect children?
What types of decisions must be made by couples
who are planning to divorce?
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Section 2: Law and the Family

Marriage Requirements
The waiting period for a license is designed to

discourage hasty marriages.

In some states medical tests are required to
check for transmittable diseases.

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Section 2: Law and the Family

State laws work to protect children:

Doctors, teachers, and others are required to

report suspected child abuse.

The state pays for foster care for abused or needy
children.
Criminal charges may be filed against abusive
parents.
Judges may appoint guardians to orphaned
children or put them up for adoption.
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Section 2: Law and the Family

Decisions of divorcing couples:

Divisions of property
Custody of children and visitation rights
Spousal and child support payments

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SECTION 2

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Question: How do state laws work to protect

children?

Laws allow children to be placed in foster

care or with guardians when . . .
they
have
been
abused.
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they have
been
orphaned.

parents are
unable to
support
them.
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Section 3: The Family and You

The Main Idea
The family continues to be the most important group in
American society. It performs many functions for its
members and for the country.
Reading Focus
What are five ways the family serves the country?
Why is it important to respect the rights of other
family members and for family members to
compromise?
Why is it useful for a family to budget its money?
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Section 3: The Family and You

Five important functions served by the family:
Ensuring the countrys futurestable environments for

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children shape the countrys future

Educating its membersfamilies teach children social
skills
Teaching good behaviorideas of right and wrong develop
in the family
Helping manage moneyfinancial responsibility is taught
in the family
Teaching good citizenshiprespect others rights and
practice good citizenship
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Section 3: The Family and You

Respecting the rights of family

members and compromise:
Self-restraint and consideration prevent serious conflicts.
Respecting ones rights makes him or her more likely to

respect others rights.

Sharing problems and interests encourages praise, support,
advice, and criticism.
The ability to compromise is a sign of a well-adjusted family.
Traits learned in the family are important in outside
relationships as well.
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Section 3: The Family and You

Why should a family budget its money?

Budgets plan for spending and saving the

familys funds.
Budgets can reduce money worries.
Budgets help families plan for the future.
Fixed expenses are first on a familys budget.
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SECTION 3

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Question: Why is it useful for a family to

budget its money?
to provide
food,

clothing,

a place to
live,
and to reduce
their financial
worries

to share financial
responsibilities
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Chapter13WrapUp

1. Howdidthemovetocitiesbringchangesto
Americanfamilies?
2. Whyhastheaverageageatfirstmarriageincreased
inrecentyears?
3. Whydomoststateshaveawaitingperiodfor
couplesapplyingforamarriagelicense?
4. Whattypesofissuesdodivorcedspousesneedto
resolve?Howdoeshavingchildrenaffectthe
decisionsthatneedtobemade?
5. Identifyfiveimportantfamilyfunctions.
6. Howcanabudgethelpafamilymanageitsincome
andspending?
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