The American Family in a Time of Intense Cultural Change



The American Family in a Time of Intense Cultural Change

Introduction

Cultural change has an impact on the society and people through various mechanisms. One such mechanism is on account of the newly increased opportunities to engage in activities such as education, employment, and exposure to media. When a society is exposed to new changing ideas such as changes in the cultural landscape, education, mass media, employment and other activities that are outside the influences of family, the net result is that the family patterns are significantly altered. For example, research has indicated that with the rise in mass education, there have been some major changes which include delayed marriages, use of birth control methods, lower fertility and tendency to have smaller families (Yabiku, 2005). This paper will focus on examining the changes in American culture and how it has contributed to the changes in the American families, especially the impact it has had on the diverse system of families today.

Discussion

There are six American values that are evident and encouraged during democratic governance. These values are equality, liberty, tolerance, self reliance, pursuit of Truth and Civil disobedience. These are reflected in the social fabric of the American society. No one typical American characteristic can be defined for the Americans as the American citizens have come to exhibit a wide range of characteristics. Similarly, the American family has come to be manifested in a wide variety of ways. This means that the institution of American family has come out to exhibit wide variety. The concepts of the American nuclear family have changed with time. Ever since America was founded, the American family has been an integral part of the nation. Both the parents have been working member of the family. The concept of the father being the sole bread earner of the family and the mother being responsible for caring after the husband and children has long changed. Gone is the time when mothers would sit at home attending after the household chores and caring after the children. American women over the coming decades have come to exhibit a wide range of freedoms that could not have been thought of earlier on. The concepts underlying the core values of the family system have undergone various changes. This has prompted the female segment of the society to come forward demanding more and more independence. The concept of a patriarchal family was long lost. The concepts of the Victorian era were forgotten as the feminist movement gained imminence and influence. Not only was the feminist movement responsible for this changed mindset, there were many other movements and changes involved. The enlightenment along with the scientific revolution induced great changes. There started a growing realization that females and particularly the mothers could play a part in the development of the society. This image of working women was enhanced during the world wars as female nurses took active part in nursing the injured soldiers (Bielby, ...