Reflecting on the Diverging Destinies of American Families: Policy Approaches as We Move Forward

Abstract

(from the chapter) In an era of increasing income inequality and shifting patterns of family demographics, a growing body of research highlights the widespread consequences of these trends for families and children. The chapters in this volume highlight the numerous ways these trends may be impacting families and draw our attention to how these challenges will impact research and policy approaches in the years to come. This conclusion chapter draws out some of the major themes and ideas presented at Penn State's 2Ist annual Symposium on Family Issues and in the preceding chapters. Over the past few decades, policies and programs have been implemented, each with different foci and targets of intervention. The programs generally fall into two broad categories: structural and family-based approaches. These approaches are reviewed, with a discussion of how specific policies may be able to address the patterns and consequences of diverging destinies. Future directions and challenges for policy and program implementation and research are also considered, including constraints for funding and the incorporation of a two-gender approach. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved)