Chapter 3: Historical Aspects (by E.Y.)

1) Summary

In this chapter, the author aims to provide historical aspects and the evolution of the modern American family through time from colonial times to present. In the first section, the author describes the "colonial family" of Puritan background. These mostly nuclear families were economically self sufficient institutes where all members worked together in family business, educate children (or younger siblings) academically and vocationally, and provide care to each other and relatives in need. There were usually three social classes: Merchants, artisans, and laborers but most family characteristics were comparable among these groups. Men were ranked superior to women and children. Women on the other hand were expected to obey their husbands and unlike their husbands, their infidelity was not acceptable. At these times very few women worked independently, they were usually widows, divorcees or unmarried women; and only some in a few colonies had rights to own property or protection from severe abuse. Children had a rough period as well because not only was there high infant morbidity, they were also treated as "miniature adults" since they were expected to obey their parents and all the strict family and cultural rules.

There were also family types from other backgrounds that co-existed with the Puritan/European families. The most obvious one of these is the indigenous Native American family structure. Although there was a lot of variability among different tribes, it was generally matrilineal in most, where inheritance was passed through daughters, in contrast to colonial white women with no rights to property ownership. It also seems that marriage and divorce were less ceremonial and easier than past and modern times. Also, compared to colonial white children, native American children had more loving-caring relationships with parents and relatives and a child-like childhood.

Next there were also African-American families that seemed to suffer the most during colonial period by the abuse the white masters carried on. Their marriages were not recognized legally and usually ended with death or a relocation of a spouse. Both men and women were hardworking and women were forced to double-shift, doing all house duties of their masters, caring for master's kids and their own, cooking for master's family and their own.

Last, there were Mexican- Americans, who lived in extended family structures and where the children had strong bonds with god-parents. Women were homemakers and men had all the authority. Again, men infidelity was seen normal but women had to be virgins until marriage and infidelity was unacceptable.

In the second section the author gives information about the industrial period when many eastern Europeans emigrated to the US. The "Cult of Domesticity" arose in this period, pointing out women's role in homemaking and following the four rules of purity, piety, domesticity, and submission. Children's individuality was recognized more and they were allowed more play time and other child-like activities. As more immigrants arrived, they started taking low-paying, low-level jobs. Interestingly, there were ethnical tendencies for taking certain types of jobs. However, still most jobs for immigrants were low-paying, especially for women fresh off-the-boat. These immigrants lived in crowded places and suffered more than others by disease epidemics. In addition, they suffered from discriminations and had increased family conflicts due to poverty and a hostile environment.

In the third section, the author describes the emergence of the modern family from early 20th century to present. The first three decades were the time of the compassionate family, where husband and wife relationship was not just an institution but a loving-caring relationship. However the great depression negatively impacted these families. Race was one issue, where African- Americans were fired more from their jobs and suffered greatly. Similarly, social class and gender roles were other related issues. During WW2, men were sent to war, women were employed at factories and usual men-jobs to make up for the reduction of "man"-power. Post-WW2, families re-united with the returning veteran fathers, who were scary strangers for children. This period was marked with increased divorce rates.

In the next section, the author covers the "Golden Fifties". She indicates that shortly after WW2, another gender roles propaganda started in order to employ the returning veterans. Girls were encouraged to marry early and become homemakers and many of them did. Thus, families were large with multiple kids (baby boomers) with stay-at-home-mothers and working fathers. These families usually moved to the suburbs and owned a house and appliances that started to emerge, characterizing the "American Dream". Though many people idealize this period, there were many unspoken problems such as hidden abuse, shotgun marriages, open gayness, gender and racial discriminations.

In the last section, the author describes the modern period from 50 years ago to now. She implies that people became more aware of several issues. For example , women started to have more rights and occupy more spots in graduate education. Also, the family structure changed accordingly, couples started to have fewer kids and single-parent homes started to be seen more commonly. However with the current economic downturn, there seems to be more stress on families currently and even elderly people have to find work to support themselves.

2. Novel/interesting aspects

I grew up (for the most part) abroad, therefore this is the first time I read about family structures throughout the US history in this much detail. I did not know much about family lives of Native American tribes and found it interesting that they had a matrilineal family structure while white women in that period had no rights. This chapter combined with chapter 1, gave me a chance to compare the family structures where I came from to US families.

3. Discussion points

Most politicians and big CEOs are usually white-middle-aged-Christian men. Now, with this chapter, I see where their dominance stems from historically.

Second, although this chapter ends in an optimistic tone that implies that most inequalities are diminished and people are more understanding, I still think there are many inequalities and injustices left in this society. In addition to discrimination women and minorities still face (for example http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1983185,00.html), there are even new ones emerging. For example, after 9/11 attacks Muslim families form another group that is likely experiencing more pressure and discrimination than before. Given the effect of white-men dominance on other groups throughout the history and how it forced changes on family structures of minorities, these newer groups seem to be perfect samples to observe over an extended period to see the changes in their family structures compare it to past groups described in this chapter.

Last, it is interesting how the gender-role propaganda of 1950's seems to backfire now. I wonder what would happen if they did not encourage women to leave their jobs (so that men can reclaim those jobs) and become full-time mothers (of eight children); therefore transitioning to 60's and 70's without creating the baby-boomer generation directly. Would we still worry about social security and Medicare as much, would US still go bankrupt (or to the same degree)?

Eser Y