Final answer:
The story of Diane Carp adopting a child from China highlights the changing structure of families in the United States, demonstrating an increase in diverse and non-traditional family arrangements that include single-parent and same-sex parent households, among others.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chapter-opening story of Diane Carp adopting a daughter from China illustrates that families in the United States are diverse and have evolved from the traditional nuclear family structure. With the increases in cohabitation, same-sex partnerships, single parents, and single adults raising children through various means like surrogacy or adoption, the definition of family has broadened significantly. This case typifies the modern American family, which often defies historical norms and embraces a variety of forms and compositions.
Historically, United States immigration policies and societal norms have influenced family structures, such as the 'Paper Sons' from Chinese immigration history and the shifting views on marriage and family roles. The economic demands of a capitalist society have also contributed to changes in family size, stability, and configurations, leading to smaller families and diverse familial bonds.
In the modern U.S., the concept of what constitutes a family is changing. Single-parent families, same-sex parent families, cohabitating families, and unwed parents are all contributing to the expanding notion of the American 'nuclear family.' Despite these changes, most children in the U.S. still live in two-parent, opposite-sex, married households, but alternate family structures are increasingly recognized and normalized.