Chapter 3

Summary

Chapter three discusses the history of the family and how it has shaped our current definition of the family. The chapter begins by describing the colonial family which was considered “a little commonwealth” because it performed so many different roles. First and foremost, it was a self-sufficient unit. Secondly, the children were taught how to read and were prepared for future careers. Prayer was held daily and relatives were always welcome if they were ever in need of a home. Early American families from non-European cultures, such as American Indians, African Americas, and Mexican Americans, were very diverse. Every aspect of American Indian families varied from each society. African American families endured many hardships; nonetheless they were extremely “stable, intact, and resilient”. Mexican American families believe in familism, which results in strong bonds and cohesive family networks. The family dramatically changed in the late eighteenth century due to industrialization. Rather than marriages being based on economics, they became more of a choice and based on love. However, World War II had numerous negative effects on the family, including death and divorce. On the other hand, birth rates radically increased and suburbs were expanding. The current family has changed significantly since the 1960s. For example, divorce rates and single-parent households have risen, birth rates and out-of-wedlock births have risen and declined, women are more educated, and people are postponing marriage as well as having children.

What I Learned

Reading this chapter has shown me exactly how much the family has changed since 1600’s. However, the book states that “change, rather than stability, has been the norm” and this has made me look at the family from a different perspective. Also, it’s difficult for me to imagine that marriage wasn’t really based on love until the late eighteenth century. And even though people may complain of the current high divorce rates in America, I think that our current family structure is quite strong and more accepting and adaptable than ever. I also found the American Indian concept of divorce interesting; a wife would simply put her husband’s belongings outside and he accepted it and moved back home with his mother.

Question/Concern

Why were infant and child death rates so high for American Indians? If European armies, adventurers, and missionaries didn’t play such a major role in destroying many of the tribes, would this, in addition to their low child births, have lead to their extinction as well?