| Families in the U.S. are finding new ways to adapt | | | | children's education, it could also greatly affect the |
| to a growing economic collapse. As unemployment | | | | quality of that education. You simply can't pack |
| continues to rise, many families are finding it | | | | the same amount of instruction into four days |
| increasingly difficult to pay for basic expenses like | | | | that you can in five. Teachers and programs are |
| putting meals on the table, providing utilities, and | | | | also being considered for cuts as a way to |
| paying for health care. Here are five family trends | | | | eliminate expenses which would further affect |
| on the rise: | | | | children's educations. |
| 1. One trend that is becoming more common in | | | | 4. Health care remains a problem for families and |
| some geographical regions is a decrease in | | | | things may only get worse. Not only is less |
| divorce. In places where it is more expensive to | | | | insurance available due to parents losing their jobs |
| get a divorce and for those who are experiencing | | | | where their health care insurance is carried, but |
| more of a financial burden, divorce has become a | | | | many programs and free clinics are in danger of |
| luxury that they are unable to afford. It is simply | | | | losing funding. |
| easier for some couples to stay together rather | | | | 5. As the economy worsens, many couples are |
| that live apart. This may sound like a perk for | | | | putting their plans for having children on hold. Many |
| families since it keeps them from being broken | | | | are already struggling to make ends meet and |
| apart but it also means that some bad situations | | | | don't have the resources to support adding a |
| aren't resolved and children are having to remain | | | | baby to the mix. The birth rate in the United |
| in unhappy homes. | | | | States is expected to decrease as a result of the |
| 2. High School graduates are either choosing to go | | | | recession. |
| to less expensive colleges or go to work right | | | | Children have to suffer the consequences of the |
| after graduation in hopes of returning to college | | | | recession but shouldn't have to handle the stress. |
| later. Savings for their children's tuition may | | | | It is important that parents talk to children about |
| become depleted due to unemployment or they | | | | the importance of not wasting food and taking |
| may simply not have the income to support | | | | care of their clothes. Don't fight about money in |
| themselves or their families, much less pay for | | | | front of them and don't share the details of things |
| college for an older child. | | | | that they can't do anything about. Remember |
| 3. Many schools are considering going to a four | | | | that security is important to a child's well-being |
| day week to reduce the cost of transportation, | | | | and that children get security from their families, |
| energy, and salaries for teachers. While a four | | | | not from being able to have their favorite snack |
| day week would greatly reduce the cost of your | | | | food every day. |