Advantages And Disadvantages Of American Families Today

A major change that has occurred in the Western family is an increased incidence in divorce. Whereas in the past, divorce was a relatively rare occurrence, in recent times it has become quite commonplace. This change is borne out clearly in census figures. For example thirty years ago in Australia, only one marriage in ten ended in divorce; nowadays the figure is more than one in three (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1996: p.45). A consequence of this change has been a substantial increase in the number of single parent families and the attendant problems that this brings (Kilmartin, 1997).

In the late 19th and early 20th century, family was the foundation and core of society in America (Hussung). During this period of time, the wife was in charge of raising the children and cleaning the house, while the husband worked and provided protection for the family. A strong family unit was something highly regarded and looked upon in society.

American Family American families has changed drastically since the 1900’s. There are changes to our economy, food, jobs, education, family lifestyle, religion, technology and healthcare just to name a few. While we have made huge advancements; there are also many short comings that we are experiencing every day. Many of the changes has either helped or hindered the American people. The topics that will be the most advantageous or disadvantageous to children are healthcare, marriage, divorce, and technology.

Problem Statement With the advancing lifestyles and further developments in personal mobility that defines today’s society, the family still plays a crucial role of contemporary life. Families offer many benefits such as companionship, protection, security, encouragement and other relative social components. The term family has been changed over the past few decades. The total number of households in the United States increased from 63 million in 1970 to 113 million in 2008 (Weeks, 2012). The traditional structure of the family (nuclear family) began branching to other structures especially in the United States follow World War II.

Despite the many differences among the American population, nearly all Americans consider themselves apart of a family. The idea of having a family is essential as it provides people with a sense of strength, comfort, and belongingness. However, over the past several decades, the concept of what makes up a family has continued to change. Although the U.S. Census Bureau defines a family “…as a group of two or more persons related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together,” others hold much broader definitions (Cox & Demmitt, p. 29, 2014).

“Family is the center of everyday American life. Our parents are our first protectors, first teachers, first role models, and first friends. Parents know that America’s great reward is the quiet but incomparable satisfaction that comes from building their families a better life.” Having a dysfunctional family where both parents are not present and one is present can affect a child’s life and the way they approach things because they have no one to talk to or advise them on certain

“Never before has private life been so preyed upon by public life.” (Berry 156). Before the invention of the television set, families were closer together and all the work was done for the good of the family. We had this innate belief that family was one of the most important aspects of our life. In today’s modern society, our ideals have changed and we search for things outside the family life.

Introduction In this case study, it analyse how the concept of family has changed in the past 20 years as it will be depicting modern family forms and past norms. It is important to look at how families have developed throughout the years up until the 21st century as we compare the two and elaborate on the difference and what makes it so significant. In this case study, it contrast and compare the television series Modern family which is a 21st century concept of family and The Simpsons which was adapted 27 years ago and how things have changed with family dynamics and what is the norm now which was not the norm years ago.

A family is the most precious identity a person can have. An individual whether from a noble, average or poor family can be distinguished by their discipline, character, behavior, customs and living conditions. In every generation parents and children illustrate different patterns and behaviors in family’s lifestyles prior to the previous ones. Family contributes to an individual’s growth, thinking and behavior. The standards for an ideal family back in the 1960s are extremely different than the standards held by an ideal family today.

Moreover, this is because, “women are more likely to have a relational orientation than men” (Campos, Aquilera, Ullman, & Schetter, 2014, p. 192). Women are usually the ones that maintain the family bonds and benefit more of the closeness and support from the family. Nevertheless, women still feel more compromised of keeping the bond, and if an issue surges they are more likely to stress due to the conflict (Campos, Aquilera, Ullman, & Schetter, 2014). • Around the world, it appears familism is coming to an end. What are the economic, political and cultural implications of the changes underway in the traditional family unit?

Main Analysis The varieties in family structure are exposed in the television series Parenthood. The small families within the Braverman family give relevant examples of the change. Each of the children in the show has their own unique support system. All families prove relevance to prior research conducted on the topic.

The traditional American family consisted of the father as the breadwinner, the mother that was in charge of raising children and doing domestics, and their biological children, all living together. However, that image has been replaced with a diversity of other images “Family structure in the United States”. The source of weakness is the breakdown of the structure of the family. It is when children leave their parents` house searching for an autonomous life before they are financially and emotionally self-sufficient. After departing parents’ house, children will have a lack of social support which results in an unstable life for the young individual when exposed to life new challenges.

“The Changing American Family” by Natalie Angier states, “Fictive families are springing up among young people, old people, disabled people, homeless people, and may well define one of the ultimate evolutions of the family concept, maximizing, as they do, the opportunities for fulfillment of specific social and economic needs outside the constraints of biological relatedness.” The ever changing social dynamics and circumstances of this life have opened the definition of family to encompass individuals who can fill those deep-seated needs

The Effects of Poverty in America “In 2007 about one out of every eight children in America was on food stamps. Today that number is one out of every five” (U.S Census Bureau). This statistic from the U.S Census Bureau illustrates how the poverty level of Americans is getting worse and worse. This statistic explains what every day poor American families must face and that it also greatly affects the lives of their children. In today’s society, America is ailed by the instantaneous increase of Americans living in poverty, causing families to take several risks in order to provide all of their family’s necessities.

Families can be regarded as the foundation of society. For Fleetwood (2012: 1), the importance of families is highlighted by the fact that it would be difficult to comprehend a society that could function without them. In addition, even though families and their compositions vary across societies and cultures, the family can be viewed as a universal social institution (Macionis & Plummer, 2012: 625. Specifically, according to Macionis and Plummer (2012: 625) and Neale (2000:1), it has the ability to unite individuals into cooperative groups via social bonds (kinship) and is ultimately experienced differently from individual to individual. However, the family can be a source of conflict, tension and inequality, which is why one of the key practices