Demographic Trends in the United States - Essay Example

Demographic Trends in the United s Andrew Cherlin carried out a research on Demographic Trends in the United States, in which he came up with a few observations. Over the years, researchers have observed a variety of changes in the demographic structure of America. This has called for a variety of researches on the issue. It is arguable that such demographic changes have been an effect of certain social factors. For instance, it has been observed that the American population is currently different as far as geographical distribution is concerned.

It has been observed that ethnic and racial composition, family types, and age mix have significantly changed as compared to decades ago. A variety of scholars and researchers has carried out a research on the demographic issue of the United States of America. This paper shall review a report of the research carried out by Andrew Cherlin on this subject. According to Cherlin’s report, American demographic trends in the 2000s evidenced a continued separation of household and family ties. This is a fact that is evident in a variety of other reports from researches by other scholars.

It is arguable that this trend is a result of such factors as divorce, remarriage, increased child baring among single parents, and disbanding of cohabiting unions. It is further arguable that immigrants have led to an increase in this trend as members of a family extend to other borders. Generally, demographic trends produced by a variety of researches shows an increase in complexity of family lives as well as categories that are more ambiguous. Another factor that could have resulted to the change in demographic pattern in America is education.

As evidenced in the report compiled by Cherlin, education and income have had a significant influence on the demographic trends. It has been argued that with increased education rate, several demographic indicators move in directions that are encouraging. With less education on the other hand, demographic indicators show a negative movement. This therefore means that divorce rate is less among families that whose members are educated, while it is high in families whose members are less educated.

In addition to this, it is observable that about half a century ago, most Americans, both rich and poor lived in families of two parents that were similar in a variety of ways. Currently, Americans with varied levels of education follow varied paths through dissolution and family formation. Data from the research by Cherlin showed that this trend might remain a core focus of demographic researches in the future. Further demographic changes in America have been on the issue of spouse choice. In the past, choosing a spouse for marriage was majorly determined by religion.

It is arguable that a college graduate Protestant was more likely to choose a high school Protestant graduate than a college graduate Catholic. However, in the current world, it has been argued that choosing a spouse is determined majorly by the education level of the parties involved. Early adulthood is another significant factor that has resulted to immense demographic changes in America. Many young adults bare children, move away from their parents, and remain unmarried.In conclusion, the family structure is drastically changing.

Scholars have monitored these changes in order to understand certain demographic factors. The implications of such changes have been pondered in such indicators as deaths, births, divorces, and marriages. With the current influence of education, modernization, and social changes, these changes shall continue to be observed in the future. For instance, gay marriages were unheard of in the past, but are currently legal systems of marriage in America. Work citedCherlin, Andrew. Demographic Trends in the United States: A Review of Research in the 2000s.

Retrieved on 8th November 2012, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3293163/.