Been There, Done That : ...

In 1995, families will continue to try to rebuild their nests amid ongoing gender wars, an unknown political climate and a tidal wave of new technology.

Many parents, now dimly aware that their children know more about multimedia than they do, will wake up and see there is no escape from the inexorable onslaught. Questions to be pondered: Is this like TV and should it be regulated? Or is it more like books, where buyers should beware? Will limited access keep poor children from participating in the future? Will there ever be video games for girls?

If recent trends continue, birth rates will decline--even to teens ages 15 to 17. The number of divorces will decline, although they will still outnumber marriages. The pool of absent fathers will shift away from divorced to never-married dads.

Government officials will continue trying to lure some fathers back into family life with carrots or sticks. Father advocates will rally to make dads more responsible at home, but on their terms: role models only, no housework.

A symbolic tax cut for families will have less real effect than welfare reform. While neo-traditionalists say cutting back on welfare payments will boost responsible parenthood, others fear that the reconstituted Congress will sharpen the “family values” sword to punish more parents who don’t measure up and create institutions to house their children.