American Family In the 1950 s the majority

American Family

In the 1950’s the majority of the American households were the classic traditional American family: - The father, who was the ‘breadwinner’ - The mother, who was the ‘homemaker’ - 2 children under the age of 18

Today the reality is much different: the 25 per cent of American people live alone, and the typical families are formed, among others, by: Married couples, without children Single parents and their children Unrelated people living together Homosexual couples Intercultural unions: marriages between people from different races or cultures

FACTOR OF CHANGE • • Demographic Factors: Young people are marrying and having children later in life Some couples now choose not to have children at all People are living longer after their children are grown and they often end up alone The high rate of DIVORCE

The role of the child Some American families tend to place more emphasis on the needs and desires of the child, than on the child’s social and family responsibilities. After the II World War, much stress was placed on the social needs of the children. Many books on how to raise children became best-sellers.

All of them shared the American emphasis on the development of the individual as their primary goal. Although, Americans may not agree on how best to nurture and discipline their children, most still hold the basic belief that the major purpose of the family is the development and welfare of each of its members as individuals

Equality in the family Along with the American emphasis on individual freedom, the belief in equality has had a strong effect on the family.

ARISTOCRATIC IDEA: • The father is accepted as ruler and master. • The children’s relations with him are very formal • Love for him is always combined with fear DEMOCRATIC IDEA: • Equality destroys much of the father’s status as ruler of the family • Lessens the emotional distance between father and children • Less formal respect for and fear of, father • More affection expressed towards him

• Equality in the Family Some Americans worry that there is too much democracy in the home. • There has been a significant decline in parental authority and children’s respect for them, especially in teenagers • Some parents seem to have little control over the behaviour of their teenage children. • Mainly after they turn 16, when they get their driver’s licenses

Equality in the Family Traditionally American children have been expected to ‘leave the nest’ at about age eighteen, after they graduate from school At that time they are expected to go to college (many go to other cities) or to get a job and support themselves