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Chapter 27 - Family Problems

from Part IV - Problems of Institutions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 March 2018

By
Donna Holland
Edited by
A. Javier Treviño
A. Javier Treviño
Affiliation:
Wheaton College, Massachusetts
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Summary

The institution of family is the site of a number of social problems. These include intimate partner violence (IPV), child abuse, and elderly abuse. The effects of violence on family members produce immediate negative outcomes and negative outcomes that span over the life course and that reach into the second generation. Other family problems may coexist with family violence. Divorce causes emotional upset. There is a relationship between divorce and poverty for women and children and more negative outcomes for children of divorced parents. Drug abuse and abandonment in families harm adults and children. Society takes steps to lower the incidence and prevalence of each problem, except for divorce. Divorce is common and is generally considered socially acceptable, even though negative outcomes for adults and children are associated with divorce. These family problems are likely to extend into the future.

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Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Social Problems , pp. 497 - 512
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2018

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