Gender Roles In Families

Superior Essays
The chance to examine how my family has reacted as the roles of families have changed over the last eighty plus years could not be passed up. Having a mother who lived as a child during the depression, a young teen during World War II, a young wife, and mother during the 1950’s offer a point of comparison to the future women who followed. Next, seeing how my wife lived during the redefining roles of families in the 1970’s thru the 1980’s and the acceptance of women in new roles. Then lastly, how a daughter who is now faced with perhaps some of the greatest challenges facing the family in generations as society redefines the definition of the family. By looking at the lives of these three women how the roles of family have changed will be observed. …show more content…
Most women were forsaking higher education, or a career to marry and have children. She had found a job at Blue Cross in Des Moines as a file clerk and typist. Instead of thinking about marriage, she had been considering moving to California. While she did not regret growing up in a small town, she desired more in life. When the chance came to attend the wedding of a cousin in Pasadena, California she took the opportunity and told her parents she was going to California to stay. Coming to California forever changed the direction of her life. First, she learned about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After taking the missionary discussions, she was baptized a member of the church on October 6, 1951.Second, she meet her future husband Arnold Larson in 1952. They were married in the St George Temple on February 14, 1953. She was following the pattern typical of the early 1950’s in which most women married young, followed with the birth of children. The birth of her first child in 1954 followed by the birth of four additional children matched the increased birth rates typical during what was referred to as the baby boom …show more content…
Some of these programs helped, and others really offered littles assistance in defusing the breakup of families. The changes in sexual attitudes led to rulings about abortion, women’s rights, pro-family movements, along with the Equal Rights Amendment. Each of these reforms changed the definition of the family for what was once considered a loving nucleus to one of individuals looking for individual joy and pleasure from life.
How changing social roles have impacted the family structure of the interviewees In the case of the MayBelle, Ellen and Claire their lives have not been impacted quite like those of other families. None of them have been involved with parents or spouse in a divorce, which has been common among other families. For the majority of their lives MayBelle and Ellen have lived in marriages which a father or husband were considered the breadwinner of the family. The role of a wife working while children were young wasn’t practiced by either. Some changes in society have affected Claire from the aspect of more individuals not considering getting married. Instead of getting married she focused first on getting an education. While no prospects exist at the present she is hopeful that marriage will be in her

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