Economic Status Changes?

The American family today is significantly different than it was years ago. Gay and lesbian relationships are more accepted and some couples adopt a child to complete their family. There are still heterosexual relationships with couples that have thier own children to make a family, but both lifestyles are becoming more common among Americans. D'Emilio suggested that capitalism allows for more independence, therefore giving a gay or lesbian life a chance (D'Emilio 235). Since every person must survive on their own and make a living for themselves because of capitalism, surviving for some people may be living a gay lifestyle. We are allowed to live a life with free will, and becasue of this, the American family is turning into whatever two people may want it to be.

The past 100 years have encouraged each and every person to be independent and live a life that pleases them personally. This allowed for some people to declare themselves gay or lesbian, and due to this, the birthrate began to drop. It is physically impossible for a gay or lesbian couple to concieve a child, so the more couples there are, the less children there will be. As D'Emilio said, the decline of children born has affected every part of America and every social class (D'Emilio 229). When social classes and groups of people are impacted, the economic structure will drastically change. If there are not as many children, there will not be a need for new schools, which will impact the careers of teachers. A variety of outcomes will happen due to less children being born, and all of these otucomes will affect the economy.

Another economic change that occurs due to gay and lesbian relationships is the social aspect. Gay and lesbian bars are becoming more popular for couples to meet each other. There are also places like the YMCA, local libraries, and different clubs and associations (D'Emilio 230). While these environments are gaining popularity, heterosexual clubs, bars, and other meeting places are also growing and being built. Since there are two different environments now that must be built so people can meet each other, more money will be made, which will in turn help the economy.

There are a variety of ways that the "modern" American family is changing the economic status of this country. It may not seem that gays and lesbians cause such an effect on the economy, but when considered, it is apparent that many aspects of the economy are changed because of it.