Over the past few decades, the pattern of family dynamics has changed dramatically in the United States. Children growing up in a family with their biological mother and father present was considered the traditional lifestyle. However, as society has changed, so too has the perspective that a two-parent family is considered the norm. Therefore, the decision is not left to the child to decide the lifestyle he will be born into. Children are taught how to behave and given the basics of what to expect in life based on what they learn from the family they grew up in (“Understanding Family Dynamics”). A strong support system in early childhood, regardless of family dynamics, will greatly influence a child's development. It has been shown in many statistics in the United States that family structure directly and indirectly contributes to certain characteristics of the child's overall well-being. Family dynamics are the interaction between family members, as well as the relationships that exist within a family ("Understanding Family Dynamics"). A child's development is influenced by the experiences he or she faces during childhood. For example, if a child feels safe and protected within their family, they will begin to develop a strong form of self-esteem. A family is better defined by what its members do for each other rather than by the stereotype based on the members that make up a family. Society assumed that children needed the stability of a traditional two-parent family to thrive. (“Why Children Need Married Parents”). This basic social unit is called the nuclear family. A nuclear family consists of a mother, a father, and their biological children (Edwards). Durin...... middle of paper......detoured=1>.Stevens, Larry. "Single-parent or two-parent families, child development and society". Examiner. 1 April 2011. Web. 25 April 2014. .Tommaso, Daniele. “Facts about a two-parent family.” Daily life. GlobalPost, Web. April 25, 2014. “Understanding the Reasons: Family Dynamics.” Strong bonds: building family bonds. Network. April 26, 2014. “Why Children Need Married Parents.” United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Network. April 25, 2014. .Lupo, Jennifer. “Statistics for Single Parents.” Network. April 26 2014. .