Family

Context

In Kapitel 25, you learned to talk about family. Changes in German society have created different attitudes about family and marriage. Some young people decide to get married early, while others prefer to wait until they are older. But in Germany, like in the United States, getting married is considered a life-altering event. A person's civic status changes in the eyes of the government. This means that some laws apply to a married person that might not apply to a single person. What types of laws do you think apply to married people that do not apply to single people? Do you think these might be the same in Germany?

Exploration

Because of the extensive social safety net in Germany, the government plays a big role in the lives of families. To see how the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), one of the two major parties in Germany is confronting the growing changes in German families, explore the following link. As you read, keep the following questions in mind and write down notes about what you read.

• How does the CDU politician say German families are changing?
• What is his attitude toward these changes?
• What is the attitude of the CDU? Does the politician agree with the party? What conflict is there?
• What problems does the politician mention? What are some of the solutions for these problems?
• How long does he say it will take to implement his solutions?

Application

After you have read the interview with Rüttgers, the CDU politician, divide the class into two groups. One group represents the CDU, the conservative party in Germany; the other group will take on the role of the liberal Social Democratic Party (SDP), the other major party in Germany. Both parties need to formulate a family policy in response to the changing dynamics of German family life. Based on what you have read, discuss the changes that are occurring, why you think they are happening, and what, if anything, the political parties can do to solve the problems German families are experiencing. What solutions would you encourage as a representative of the CDU or SPD?

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