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Chapter 1 The Human Need for Housing
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the family is in overlapping stages. Other families
may have gaps between the stages or substages. An
example is a family in which the mother is pregnant
and the children are teens.
Life Cycles and Housing Needs
As you move from one stage or substage of a life
cycle to another, your housing needs change. When
planning housing, consider what stage or substage
of the life cycles you are in. If you think about both
your present and future needs, your housing can
help you live the kind of life you desire.
One example of a need that changes as a person
moves through the life cycles is the need for space.
During infancy, a baby takes no more space than a
small crib. As that baby grows, he or she needs more
sleeping space. From the childhood stage through
the youth stage, children often sleep in twin or bunk
beds (Figure 1.18). As adults, people prefer more
spacious beds that provide greater comfort.
The need for space also changes throughout a
family’s life cycle. In the beginning stage, a young
married couple may not need very much space. Once
they enter the childbearing stage, however, their
space needs increase. During this stage, the number,
ages, genders, and activities of their children will
affect their space needs.
With the addition of new members, families
require more space. As each member grows, he
or she requires even more space. Teens need space
for studying and entertaining friends. They also
need space to store sports equipment, computer
equipment, clothes, and personal belongings.
When family members leave home during the
launching stage, they take many of their belongings
with them. This leaves more space for the rest of
the family. After launching all the children, parents
enter the midyears stage and may feel they have
too much space. At this time, some couples desire a
change of scenery. They may want a smaller home
that presents fewer demands.
Phase4Studios/Shutterstock.com
Figure 1.18 When a child outgrows a crib, he or she
may sleep in a bunk bed. This also provides space for
playmates to spend the night.
STEM Math
Fraction/Decimal Conversions
How many members of your class are female?
male? These questions are asking for proportion,
which is the relation of one part to the whole.
Proportion is often expressed in fractions.
If 21 out of 28 students in your class are
girls, you can represent that with the fraction 21/28.
You can convert fractions to decimal numbers by
dividing the fraction’s numerator (top number) by the
denominator (bottom number).
Ex: 21/28 = 0.75
You can convert a decimal number to a fraction.
The fraction’s numerator is simply the decimal number
minus the decimal point. The fraction’s denominator is
the place value of the right-most number.
Ex: 0.75 = 75/100
Math Practice
1. Practice expressing proportion as fractions.
Count the number of students in your class.
How many students in your class are males?
Write this number as a fraction. Then convert
the fraction to decimal numbers by dividing the
numerator by the denominator.
2. Use a separate sheet of paper to convert the
following fractions to a decimal:
A.
3
5
B.
7
8
C.
9
8