Final answer:
Children living apart from married parents often face economic and educational disadvantages. Extended family living arrangements are rising, indicating changes in the traditional family structure. The definition of family is becoming more inclusive as various family arrangements become more prevalent.
Step-by-step explanation:
Children who live in settings apart from their married parents tend to face more challenges than those in homes with both parents. U.S. Census Bureau studies show that these children typically have less financial and educational support, which can be linked to the marital status of parents. For instance, children living with divorced parents may still have more advantages compared to children with parents who never married, a reflection of the socioeconomic status often associated with younger, less-educated, and lower-income non-married parents.
Extended family structures, where children live with grandparents or other relatives, are increasingly common. This can provide a valuable support system, though the dynamic is different from that of a nuclear family. Cohabitation and the rise of single-parent households due to various social forces are further changing the landscape of family life. As the family structure evolves, so does the definition of 'family', as children may name whoever they live with as their family, regardless of formal structures.