Site MapHelpFeedbackInternet Connection
Internet Connection





1

More and more U.S. families include two income earners. In such households, spouses must find a way to balance their work and family obligations as well as accommodate each other's career needs. The Employment and Family Careers Institute at Cornell University is devoted to the study of dual-career families. Explore the institute's site (http://www.lifecourse.cornell.edu/cci/default.html) to learn more about this social trend.
  1. Click on "Publications" on the left side of your screen and then select "Fact Sheets." Click on "Winter 1999. Facts About Demographics of Working Families." In 1997, what percent of all families were dual-earner families?
  2. What was the labor force participation rate for all women in 1900? 1950? 1997? What explanation can you offer for these increases?
  3. Return to the "Publications" page. Select "Issue Briefs," and then click on "Volume 2 Number 2: Coupled Careers: Men & Women, Work & Marriage." List the five distinct career pathways.
  4. Summarize the positive and negative consequences of the dual-earner model.
  5. What differences did the Cornell researchers find between men's and women's preferences for certain job characteristics?
2

U.S. families have undergone rapid change over the past few decades. To read about the latest trends, go to the Census Bureau's website (http://www.census.gov/). Under "Subjects A to Z," click on "F" and then "Families/Households and Families Data."
  1. Click on "Press Release/Product Announcement" under "2002 March CPS." How many children live with their parents according to the Census Bureau?
  2. About how many children live with a single father?
  3. About how many children live with "stay-at-home" moms? With "stay-at-home" dads? In what ways do you think these trends might change?
  4. Click your Back button until you return to the "Subjects Index." Select "G" and then click on the "Grandparents and Grandchildren Data" link. Select "Press Release/Product Announcement" under "1997 March CPS." About what percent of all children in the United States lived in a home with a grandparent in 1997?
  5. What percent of families have both a grandmother and a grandfather living in the home? What percent of these grandparents are employed?





To learn more about the book this website supports, please visit its Information Center.
(c)2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Any use is subject to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
McGraw-Hill Higher Education is one of the many fine businesses of The McGraw-Hill Companies.


Schaefer, Sociology Brief, 6/eOnline Learning Center

Home > Chapter 12 > Internet Connection