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Welchen Herausforderungen müssen sich Familien heutzutage stellen?

Anna Schmidt

Anna Schmidt

8 min read

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Study Guide Overview

This study guide covers German family and societal trends, focusing on demographic shifts (declining birthrates, aging population), family structures (traditional vs. modern roles, diverse living arrangements), government support initiatives, and immigration's impact (particularly in Switzerland). It also includes essential vocabulary, discussion questions, practice questions, and exam tips for the AP German exam.

AP German Study Guide: Family & Society in Germany and Switzerland

Hey there! Let's get you prepped for the AP German exam with a focus on family and societal trends. We'll break down key concepts, look at some tricky vocab, and get you ready to ace those FRQs! 💪

Declining Birthrates and an Aging Population

  • Germany's birthrate is a major concern for the government.
Key Concept

Families with children are now a minority, making up less than 30% of households.

- The largest demographic group is people living alone, followed by multi-person households without children. -
Quick Fact

The head of household is over 60 in 35% of German households.

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Image: Household demographics in Germany. Notice the high percentage of single-person households.

Family Preferences: City vs. Country

  • Families often prefer living in the countryside for more space and less traffic. 🏡
  • Cities offer more childcare and career opportunities, but struggle to keep families due to these preferences.
Exam Tip

Pay attention to how urban planning is trying to become more family-friendly. This is a common theme in FRQs.

Government Initiatives to Support Families

  • The German government provides financial support to parents through tax subsidies. 💰
  • Kindergarten and school are free, with ongoing investments in new facilities. 🏫
Key Concept

These measures are aimed at increasing the birthrate and supporting families.

Societal Changes and Family Structures

Diverse Living Arrangements

  • German people live in various ways: single, with partners, with or without children, in cities or the countryside.
Quick Fact

Young singles often live in cities, while families prefer the countryside.

- However, these are not strict rules; there are many exceptions.

Evolving Gender Roles

  • Increase in women in employment.
  • More stay-at-home fathers.
  • New forms of communal living, even among older generations.
Exam Tip

Be prepared to discuss how traditional family roles are changing in Germany.

Switzerland: A Look at a Neighboring Country

Switzerland's Unique Context

  • Switzerland is k...

Question 1 of 12

Wie viel Prozent der Haushalte in Deutschland bestehen aus Familien mit Kindern? 🤔

Mehr als 50%

Etwa 40%

Weniger als 30%

Genau 30%