Chapter 3: The Family in Historical Perspective

Summary:

Chapter three is an examination of the family throughout various historical contexts.
It acknowledges some of the similarities that families of yore have to those of today, but it mainly works to demystify some of the commonly held misconceptions about family life in the past and present. The author tackles such issues as varying family structure, gender roles, and parental relationships over time.

Colonial Times

As is generally assumed, the nuclear family was the favored structure of the day. One could find the occasional extended family member in some households, though. Infant mortality at this time was great; families tended to have more children than they do now, often upwards of six or seven (whether this was to 'replace' deceased kids, a result of the lack of contraceptives, or something else entirely is not mentioned). As a direct result of the large number of infant deaths, there were large age differences between the children in any given family (this is somewhat related to the autism movement of today; it has been said that the shorter the amount of time between pregnancies that a mother has, the greater her chances are of having a child afflicted with autism. To combat this, some parents have begun to wait three or more years after having a child to conceive another).

Puritans

Government intervention was present, and deemed necessary, in family life. The family served many and varied purposes: it was school, church, a place of vocational training, and many other functions. Like today, premarital intercourse and out-of-wedlock births existed. There were sanctions, however, against adultery, at least for the womenfolk. As for marital relationships, inequality was certainly a part of life. As a patriarchal society, the Colonies held women subordinate to men. in many instances, though, women were given higher esteem, such as when their husbands were faced with making important decisions like selling family land. People held traditional work roles: men as the breadwinners, and women as domestics. Children also did their part to help the family survive. Colonists were part of different social classes, from the upper/merchant class down to the laborers.

Other Cultures

Chapter three also touches on the lives of non-European early Americans. Benokraitis details different aspects of the lives of American Indians, as well as their Mexican and African American counterparts. The author gives accounts of their varied family structures; ideas on marriage, divorce, parenthood, children, and puberty; economic opportunities; and family roles.

1820-1930

After colonialism, the American family changed as a result of the mass influx of immigrants from all over Europe during Industrialization. Among the worker class, immigrants, mothers, and single women alike were forced to enter the workforce. As wealth disparities deepened, the 'middle class' formed. The 'cult of domesticity' also comes into existence at this time; domestic work was reserved for women of the higher classes (who could afford to stay at home with the family), while men of all classes and poorer women left the home to find work. Fathers' roles with their children changed at this time, too; they were able to exert less will on their children, so the youth were able to make more decisions for themselves, including getting married and leaving the home. With their new found freedom, many young adults began to flood the cities in search of work, which led to urbanization. Work was rough in the cities, and conditions were poor both in the home and at work. Because of sanitation and other issues, death was a major part of city life. Urban immigrants and minorities faced the added pressures of discrimination.

Great Depression

At the tail end of this era until nearly the mid 20th century, America experienced an extreme economic downturn: the Great Depression. Many once prosperous families now found themselves in poverty, and those who formerly experienced paucity were in even worse circumstances than before. Men who couldn't provide for their families could sometimes become abusive, and their children grew rebellious. After World War II, both men and women entered the workforce, and family life became more stable. Birth rates increased greatly, as well.

Present

Since the 20th century, birth rates have declined, and gender roles have started to change. Especially since the recent recession, there are more families with two working parents than ever before.

Interesting point

I thought it was interesting how cyclical birth rates have been over the last few centuries. It started off with families having quite a few children, then that number decreased somewhat after war and economic uncertainty. After WWII, birth rates shot up to the highest they've been, thanks to men returning from overseas, and their new 'prosperity' and desire for marriage. Foll lowing the economic downturns of the 1970s and present day, birth rates are once again on the decline.

Question

I am wondering why people still hold on to the idea of 'yesteryear' as being so much better than the present, considering the issues that occur at any point in history. I wonder if people, years from now, will say the same thing about today: "Even though unemployment was through the roof, the early 21st century was a good time."