This chapter is about the history and evolution of the American family. Back in the early to mid 1800’s, people were worried about the future of the American Family. Divorce rates were high, tons of non-English speaking immigrants came in, and child/domestic abuse was high. Things did improve for family, but we saw multiple changes that led to the American Family of today. In borders America people will say how families are worse than they were in the 1950’s. Back in the 1950’s family were seen as very stable, dad works while the mom raise the kids. Initially, the period was seen as a good time for families, but other negative aspects were ignored. There were higher teen births, high divorce rate, kids getting into trouble more, and racial/gender bias with politics. When comparing the times, the current American families have a better standing the those of that era. The history of the American family starts off with dual family income, and some drugs and child/domestic abuse. Later on, the wives stop working, and the number of children workers skyrockets. Eventually, laws prohibiting children below a certain are passed, and wives start working. Eventually domestic/child abuse rates drop, more people live longer life’s, and fathers become more active in childcare. At the same time, parents have to decide about care for both child and parent(s). People see modern American families as worse, but in actuality, they are way better than before. We may have high divorce rates, but we have people living longer, and less teen births.
5/10/2019
Sociology Blog 