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Question One
Riots were more frequent and more deadly in those periods than those experienced by current generations. Women did not have the legal right to vote in a democratic exercise, and their earnings were so low, compared to their male counterparts, that a majority of them turned to prostitution to live the American dream. According to Coontz (1999), the share of mothers employed full or part time has multiplied since those days and today amounts for practically three-quarters of women with offspring at home. The total number of women who are their families’ only or main breadwinner also has escalated, to 39 percent today from 10 percent in 1900. Before thousands of children used to work round-the-clock in coalmines, mills and workshops Record numbers of the workers had to toil 10 hours a day, often six days a week, limiting their social and health development. According to Coontz (1999), families today are more blended and differently constructed. Nearly half young people ages 18 to 30 have a step-sibling. Approximately half as many of those aged 51 to 65—and a measly 15% of those of 66 years or older—have a step brother/ sister.
Question Two
The 50s GI Bill gave a group of young fathers a college education and a sponsored mortgage for a new house. Finally, most men could support their family and acquire a home without the indignity of combining their earnings with those of other kinship members. It, therefore, enabled countless Americans to manage a stable family life upon these grounds.
Question Three
I do not believe that it is conceivable for families today to return to the uncompromising families of the 1950s. A small number of women are becoming mothers, and those who manage to do intentionally so, are having even fewer children. Nowadays, an American woman, on average, is expected to have one child, paralleled with a total fertility rate of 3 children in the old ages. Current levels are significant below the “replacement rate” of about 2.1 children, the number of births needed for children to replace their parents in the population. The family dynamic of the 1950s was fashioned by different régime incentives and assistance along with a prosperous economy. It is no longer imaginable for many middle-class families to continue being middle class with only a single parent in employment. Inflation has created a society that needs regular earnings from both parents in many cases; thus, the perfect family of the 1950s is not likely if most mothers are working outside the home.
Question Four
I do not believe that the U.S. would be much better off returning to the families of the 1950s. The women then still struggled if they were not married; getting loans, making large purchases and supporting themselves were tricky for these single luminaries. Husbands in the families would dominate the households giving pint-sized credit to women. The fact that so many things got ignored all through this time such as cases of domestic violence and instances of sexual assault are more reasons not to relapse to the time of the 50s. Some possibly will say that family life has declined since the 1950s, but I am certain that it has simply developed and morphed into something distinct. While families today are not flawless there has been progress from the actual families of the 1950s.
References
Coontz, S. (1999) .The American family. Life Magazine, Vol. 22, pp. 79-82. Source: http://www.stephaniecoontz.com/articles/article10.htm
