The American Family has been dramatically reshaped over the past century. Indeed the definition of what constitutes a “family” has become much more broadly defined. Whereas the century began with strong extended family ties, the decade ended with the small, nuclear family being the norm. The result often was that there fewer resources to draw upon in difficult times.
The American family began the 20th century not only composed of the traditional nuclear family (a father, mother and children) but also a strong extended family unit which provided a safety net for family members when difficulties arose. Strong extended family connections meant there were relatives ready to step in and lend a helping hand when someone was sick, or when financial troubles hit.
The roles for men and women at the turn of the century and the decades immediately following were ones of mutual welfare, if not equal benefits. Men traditionally were the “bread winner” while a woman's role was in the home. When the United States declared war on Japan in 1941, one of the side effects was that women became active outside the home environment doing work that had usually been dominated by men, such as working in factories. The iconic image of Rosie the Riveter is a reminder of the changing roles of women during this period (Kirkwood 12).
After the war, the ideal of family life in the fifties could best be seen through the prism of popular television programs like “Leave it to Beaver.” In these sitcoms, the head of the household was clearly the father who, after a day at work, would come home to his newspaper and dutiful wife who had spent the day doing the domestic chores that were expected of her.
As Betty Friedan points out in The Feminine Mystique, the idea was that women should be satisfied in life in embracing femininity. They should definitely not seek to improve themselves through education, political involvement, or a career. This idealization meant women should play the role of Suzy homemaker without any objections. However, this ideal was not always the reality (Friedan 102).
The 1960's would mark a dramatic shift for women and their continued desire for equal rights. Indeed, the decade would inspire many social and political movements. Just as with WWII, the war in Vietnam also had an effect on family, again placing women in a more central role at home. Many women would begin to join the workforce during this decade, not only for economic reasons, but also for the personal desire to fulfill professional goals.
As the cost of living increased during the high inflation of the 70s and 80s, it became more necessity for both parents to work in order to pay the bills. This in turn placed increasing pressures on families who struggle to balance work and family life. For many families, the dream of becoming middle-class has become seemingly out of reach.
Today, women still often make less per dollar than a man makes for performing the same work. The rationale for this in the minds of many lawmakers is that men are still the “bread winners” in a family and thus need the additional pay. This denial of the current reality of family dynamics and the makeup of the workforce is a major barrier to families meeting their financial obligations.
In the 21st century, the definition of the American family continues to evolve. We have moved beyond the traditional ideas about what makes constitutes a family. Today's family can be made up of a grandparent caring for grandchildren, same-sex couples or a single parent and child. What has remained constant, however, is that the family unit is vital to producing productive members of society.
Works Cited
Friedan, Betty (1963). "The Crisis in Woman's Identity". The Feminine Mystique. W. W.
Norton. Print.
Kirkwood, Scott. “Telling the Rest of the Story.” National Parks 80. 2 (Spring 2006): 12-13.
