Family Type 5: Reformists

Abstract

Reformists are somewhat similar to experiencers, but they see the traditional family structure as optional, and are willing to embrace it only if the right conditions exist. Family is not an aspiration that they strive to fulfill in their lives, although it could be the icing on the cake under the right conditions. They believe one can have a complete and fulfilling life without ever being married or having a child. Moreover, they typically are not wedded to the idea that a family is a lifelong commitment. There are two major subtypes. Non-traditionalists reject traditional ideas about marriage and family and support flexible family structures in which partners do not necessarily need to be married or even committed to each other. Non-traditionalists view children as optional. Commitment-phobes support the idea of flexible duration. They reject the idea of lifelong commitment and think transient relationships should be the norm.