Discussion CMS 357 25 Mar Discussion CMS 357 25 Mar wma Audio recording started 11 27 AM Tuesday March 25 2014 Tuesday March 25 2014 11 08 AM 4 Child Free Couples Couples that don t have children a Important distinction i The couples aren t necessarily more or less satisfied b Characteristics i Women 1 Women over 30 are less satisfied in their lives than those under 30 a Women begin feeling their options downsizing because of their biology i May be difficult to hve children ii Couples who have children and who are not living with children 1 Men are more distressed than women are a The way the system is set up most of these situations women choose to be away where men are less likely to be ii Childless couples tend to have more financial instability than those with kids 1 Especially when older the whole Im having kids to take care of me when I get old idea 1 Factors that affect family decision making a The role of children i Are they there If not it is only a 2 input decision with kids it can complicate things ii This allows for different approaches to conflict b Gender i What roles will each parent cover ii Also with kids will the boys or girls get more of a say b Individual involvement i The person least interested and involved usually has the most power 1 They have nothing to gain or lose b Outside influences i Family peer pressure other families from your own 1 Your social network ii Economic conditions The economy iii Popular culture iv Work and its interference v Media advertisements etc 2 Defining Family Conflict a Close physical proximity i Can t necessarily go away because you live together b Changing relationships i Divorces and everything that comes into that step family parents c Importance of family for support i Social and emotional 3 Conflict in different family relationships a Inter parental conflict i It needs to be healthy ii Not healthy 1 Frequency a A lot is not good and can be stressful for kids 2 Intensity a Yelling physicality name calling 2 Physical aggression 3 Notion of whether it focuses on the child a Guilt remorse and more 2 Whether the conflict is resolved or not