what is the difference between empiricle research on family structure and politics of family values?

Answer 1

" EMPERICAL RESEARCH "

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, many scholars believed that the rise in divorce was not particularly problematic for children, a conclusion not based solidly in empirical research because research on the subject had been sparse. In 1979, two authors of an article in the JMF concluded that there were “no consistent findings” on the effects of divorce on children (Raschke & Raschke, 1979, p. 369). While divorce rates were up, some scholars pointed to a corresponding rise in remarriage as evidence that families were not weakening (Moroney, 1979, p. 462). “Although family structure has changed considerably over time,” explained one scholar, “the socialization and supportive functions appear to have survived and, in the opinion of some social scientists, to have been strengthened in the twentieth century” (Moroney, 1979, p. 462).

" FAMILY VALUES "

After mocking Vice-President Dan Quayle in 1992, Democrats have used the term " Family Values " as rhetoric to poke fun at the opposition . Since the elections of that year, the phrase "family values" has been bandied about so much in Washington that it has moved beyond cliche into the world of commercial advertising. It has been linked with everything from the first lady's best-seller to illegitimacy, family-friendly tax breaks and, more recently, same-sex marriage. Its ubiquity demonstrates an interesting transformation that has taken place in the last few years.