Part I: Assignment 2

I found it particularly interesting that there were so many different types of households. I recognize that there are single parent homes, two parent homes, and households where people live with friends (non-relative homes), but I never realized how detailed the description of a home can be. For example, I never thought that a single father household would be considered a different type of household compared to a single mother household. I just considered both of them to be single parent homes. 

I also found it interesting that the report mentioned there has been an increase in the number of households. I do agree that there is an increase in the number of people that need a home and everywhere I drive there are always homes being built. However, I do think it is interesting that so many people do not have a home, meanwhile homes are constantly being built. 

While analyzing the chart I expected a lot of what the results actually were. For example, the chart showed that there is an overall increase in households with no children and a decrease in households with children. Maybe not compared to 1995, but many years before that people would get married and have children at a much younger age. As the years have passed, many people have begun to change that norm and more people are just spending time either traveling with their significant others/friends, or even just spending more time with their spouse before having children. I find that a lot more people my age rather not be married. According to the chart, compared to 1995, it is more often to have a married couple household with no children now. On the other hand, it is less likely to have a two parent household with children than it was in 1995. 

In five years, if my prince charming does not come along, I will be living in a two parents household, the one I am living in now. In 10 years I plan on being in my own two parent household with my children. In 70 years I will be living in a married couple household with no children.

Part 2: Assignment 2

When comparing women now to women 40 years ago, there is an huge increase in the number of females obtaining a higher level of education and/or enrolling in college. Along with this increase, these females who enroll for college or a higher education typically marry at a later age. I can assume that when receiving their eduction, they are now more independent and are able to find better jobs; which leads to the rise in the number of jobs women have now. Women are not assumed to be the "housewife" anymore, especially in the economy that we are living in now, it is important for both the male and female to be working. Because of the combination of higher education and job opportunities, women are able to support themselves and not be dependent of others. Therefore, today women are getting married and having children at a later age.

Currently I am working as a manager at Chuck E. Cheese. I plan on staying there until I finish school in Fall 2013. Following that I want to pursue my career as a teacher or a social worker in a school district. My passion has always been to work with children in a school setting. My future plans are to get my career started, hopefully within two or two and a half years, and then marry and start my family. 

Part 3: Assignment 3

Previously there had been an increase in the number of divorce rates. However, now there seems to be a decrease in divorce since 1980. I assume this could be because not as many people are getting married. If marriage rates decrease, divorce rates are going to decrease as well. 

In the past, research assumed the likelihood of divorce would reflect on "all groups". For example, it has been previously researched that married couples with a higher level of education had lower divorce rates. Those married couples who were less educated had a slight increase in divorce or stayed the same.