As Tom DeLay once said, “A woman can take care of her family. It takes a man to provide structure, to provide stability. Not that I'm saying a woman can't provide stability, I'm not saying... you need a father though. In a few sentences DeLay simply states the importance of the presence of both women and men in every family. The American family has changed dramatically over the past 60 years. The traditional nuclear family of a married heterosexual couple living with their biological children has become a thing of the past. Adoption, divorce, and remarriage shape and influence the structure of families in today's 21st century lifestyle. It has been stated that “One in four children under the age of eighteen in America lives or will live in a family that has experienced a divorce” (Wagonseller 9). This raises the question of whether or not a child needs both parents. Does a boy need a father figure around him as he grows up, or vice versa? What role, if any, do stepparents and stepsiblings play in a child's life? One must understand that raising a child properly depends on the structure of one's family, as well as the morals and values ​​that are taught to the child as he or she learns to mature. Children within a traditional family unit are more likely to progress in their emotional, behavioral and social skills than those residing in any other family structure. It has been argued that the only way for children to advance in life is to be raised by both a mother and a father. This statement can be considered true for a number of reasons. For example, children raised under the care of a single parent are more likely to have behavioral problems because they tend to lack financial resources... half of paper... thanks to their assistance, I see myself as an individual prepared for the future and ready to face the world of adulthood. I know that I will encounter struggles and difficulties, but thanks to my parents and their influence on my life, I know that I am better equipped and ready to face any challenges or obstacles that may appear before me over time. While the incidence of single-parent, divorced and multigenerational families is increasing, the nuclear family is still the preferred way for many to raise children. All children need guidance and will only become the product of what they are taught from an early age. These children are deeply affected emotionally by the amount of love and compassion that is put into raising them. A traditional nuclear family structure, based on respect and strong moral values, is the most effective for a child's personal growth.