The 1950's nuclear family was once ideal. How individuals view marriage has changed since then. There are more single parent homes, which could be due to more women being educated and less dependent on males. More individuals cohabit as opposed to being married like those in the 1950s. This is due to the stigma of sex outside of marriage being reduced. Functionalism would be explain these changes. Though, individuals are not married, children are still able to live in two parent households. These individuals are also able to help their children adapt to social changes, such as
