Household Structure & Family Roles

Americans are more pessimistic than optimistic about the institution of marriage and the family. At the same time, the public is fairly accepting of diverse family arrangements, though some are seen as more acceptable than others.

Key trends in marriage and family life in the United States.

In 2021, 18% of parents didn’t work for pay, which was unchanged from 2016, according to a new analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.

Most Americans (62%) own a pet, including 35% who have more than one. And nearly all U.S. pet owners (97%) say their pets are part of their family.

Majorities in most of the 24 nations surveyed by Pew Research Center this spring say abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

For Father’s Day, here are six facts about the views and experiences shaping fatherhood in the United States today.

Today's 21-year-olds are less likely than their predecessors in 1980 to have reached five key milestones, including having a full-time job.

For Mother’s Day, here’s a snapshot of what motherhood looks like in the U.S. today, drawn from government data and Pew Research Center surveys.

One-in-three U.S. adults ages 18 to 34 live in their parents’ home, according to U.S. Census Bureau data from 2021.

Among married couples in the United States, women’s financial contributions have grown steadily over the last half century. Even when earnings are similar, husbands spend more time on paid work and leisure, while wives devote more time to caregiving and housework.