Claudia Wallis

In the following viewpoint, Claudia Wallis argues that “loosely knit clans” will become the norm for future families. According to Wallis, traditional families will diminish, evolving into more fractured, tribal affinities of divorced parents, stepparents, grandparents, and their children. Demographic changes will result in the elderly outnumbering children. Wallis maintains that these social changes will leave family members increasingly confused over their individual roles and require new institutions and policies to assist families. Wallis is a senior editor for Time, a weekly newsmagazine.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Wallis, what are the trends affecting traditional family values?
2. How could a demographically aging America affect the typical family, according to Wallis?
3. How will male/female roles change in the future, in the author's opinion"

When cartoon-show...