Anticipating Transitions: Possible Options in “Family” Forms

Abstract

Three major trends affecting family life are an increase in households composed of unrelated persons, an increase in single-parent families, and an increase in divorce. These trends indicate the need for forms of living arrangement other than the traditional nuclear family, especially to confront two major sets of problems faced by many mid-life women: economic and socioemotional. Two prototype living arrangements—“families”—are proposed: (1) adaptation of the concept of the halfway house and (2) utilization of a cooperative living arrangement that has operated successfully with older persons. Since these prototypes have been somewhat successful in dealing with primary group environments of the young and the elderly, such models might be adapted on an experimental basis for midlife women who need added social supports and an increased array of choices from which to plan new directions in their lives.