Economic determinants of family development processes

Abstract

Economic activities of families have important influences on processes of family development and family change over time. Knowledge of these special relations has expanded in recent years, as has the literature on the economics of family life as a general field. As a result, scholars and professionals in consumer studies and home economics need conceptual frameworks that organize areas of specific findings and identify specific issues for research. A conceptual framework which identifies four economic activities performed by families and six fundamental family development and family change processes is proposed. Then, a matrix of testable hypotheses is formulated, emphasizing economic activities as independent variables in family development and change. The matrix portrays the central roles economic influences play in contemporary family life, and suggests a complete, holistic understanding of these influences. The matrix also provides a conceptual guide to the design of empirical research and synthesis of findings on the economics–family development interface.

The effects of financial management strategies on quality of family life in remarriage

“…It has been argued that money, or financial management behaviors, may be at least as problematic as children for predicting the stability and quality of remarried family life (Jacobson, 1993;Lown, 1984;Marlowe & Sproles, 1986;Schaninger & Buss, 1986). Few scholars, however, have focused their research efforts on gaining an understanding of the effects of finances on remarriage.…”