American Family Culture Essay

The image of the American family has changed within the last seventy years. It has gotten smaller. With the size of the family roles have also changed for members of a family. Communication is also slightly different. Even though these changes have occurred family values are still upheld. The American family since 1945 has similarities and differences in it. The American Family and Family Economics states it was once believed that “men were expected to finish school, go to work, and get a job (Lundberg, 2007, p.2).” Today the number of women entering the workforce outside the home has increased since 1945. Women used to stay at home to raise their children. In fact, according to The Changing Face of the American Family only 20 percent of women at the time would have a job outside of the home (Stanley, 2012, p. 2). Due to women working more they have focused more on their careers and less on the start of a family. Females in turn have children at an older age. Females focusing more on their education and careers has led to couples holding off on marriage. The use of contraception is now more widely available and excepted. This makes it easier to help prevent starting a family. When couples do decide to have children they are having fewer kids. The role of the child has changed. They are held more accountable. Before their mother would tend to …show more content…
Almost everybody in a family has a cell phone. This makes it easier for people in a family to stay in contact. Social media sites also play a role in keeping connected. This extends outside of the immediate family. It’s helpful with communicating family events and sharing pictures a. In 1945 this type of communication did not exist. Instead they had to use one telephone and keep in contact that way or by writing letters. Writing letters has also become a thing of the past. Most people now use email as a form of communication in place of the letter