International Day Of Families

The International Day of Families is observed on the 15th of May every year. The International Day of Families provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase knowledge of the social, economic, and demographic processes affecting them. It has inspired a series of awareness-raising events, including national family days. In many countries, this day is an opportunity to highlight different areas of interest and importance to families.

“A happy family is but an earlier heaven.” —George Bernard Shaw

“Family is a life jacket in the stormy sea of life.” – J.K. Rowling

History

Beginning in the 1980s, the United Nations started to focus attention on the issues related to the family.
1983 – Secretary-General moved to enhance awareness among decision-makers and the public of the problems and needs of the family.
1989 – The General Assembly proclaimed The International Year of the Family.
1993 – The U.N. General Assembly declared May 15 of every year should be observed as the International Day of Families

5 FACTS ABOUT THE FAMILY UNIT

1. Traditional families decline

   ​The family until where children live with both parents (married) has declined from 73% in 1960 to 46% today.

2. Single parents on the rise

   During this same timeframe, the number of single-parent households has increased from 9% to 26%.

3. Parents cohabitating

   ​The number of households where couples choose not to marry but who have children has increased to 7%.

4. Adoptions add to the family

   Over 135,000 children are adopted to American families every year.

5. Multigenerational under one roof

   The number of households that include three or more generations has increased to 28.4%.

    

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES DATES