Germans do not find this to be a point of concern. It is ok to live together, have kids, and even have grand-kids before marriage. The unification of two people might not be important, but family is always a priority. Children have very close relationships with their parents. Despite social changes the family remains the most important social reference unit. You might not think this is much different than Americans, yet there is one major difference. Normally in the U.S when your parents grow old and can no longer take care of themselves, we move them into a nursing home. In Germany when your parents grow old and can no longer take care of themselves, they move in with you.
Taking care of your parents has become increasingly difficult as the gender roles change. More women in Germany are beginning to struggle as a result working, taking care of family, and other daily responsibilities. The big difference between the U.S and Germany is the fact that women in Germany are over worked and under paid. Unlike the American women who have equality to that of a male. German women are increasingly becoming equal to that of men as time progresses. This concept is also showing up their school systems as well. Germany has a unique educational system but it is among the best in the world.
My nephew once told me a story about a German foreign exchange student he was very good friends with. He said that felt bad for the exchange student because once he went back to Germany he had to go back to school for two years in order to graduate high school. He explained that our level of schooling is so far behind that of Germany that it actually set the exchange student back. America's educational system is pretty cut and dry. Preschool, kindergarten, first through 12th grade is the standard process. After high school we have multiple options as far as higher education or just entering the labor force. Although a lot of the higher education options are limited by income and financial aid, after all we do have to pay for our education.
