Lesson 2 how families have changed over time

Lesson 2: How Families Have Changed Over Time

Changing Families

• Historical Influences on Family Structure

  • The invasion of European explorers impacted Native American families.

  • Slavery had significant effects on African American families.

  • American exploitation influenced Mexican American families.

  • Historical factors lead to long-term consequences on family dynamics.

• Roles within Families Over Time

  • In colonial times, children were part of the family workforce.

  • Wives' work was subordinate to their husbands'.

  • Contemporary society views women's work as equal to men's work.

• Industrialization and Urbanization

  • Transition from subsistence farming to factory work for families.

  • Shift in women's roles; emergence of the "true woman" ideal focusing on purity and domesticity for middle and upper classes.

  • Modern marriages began to value love and attraction over economic considerations.

Urbanization and Immigration

• Impact of Immigration

  • Urbanization was influenced by mass immigration during industrialization.

  • Immigration provided unskilled labor for factories, mines, and railroads.

  • Different ethnicities were often sorted into specific job roles (e.g., Asian men in railroads, Italian men in public works).

Diversity of Families

• Changing Composition of Immigrants

  • In the 18th century, most immigrants were of European descent, but today, the majority are from Latin America.

  • Asian immigrants are now the second largest group.

  • Expectation that by 2050, less than half the U.S. population will be of European descent.

• American Perspectives on Immigration

  • General ambivalence towards immigration; some desire reductions, even fewer wish to increase immigration.

  • Historical lack of economic and political power among minority groups persists.

Focus on Minority Families

• African American Families

  • Characterized by heterogeneity in family structures, values, and social classes.

  • Stereotypes include views on family structure and masculinity.

• American Indian Families

  • Diversity stems from various tribal origins; many languages and customs exist.

  • Forced assimilation threatens this diversity.

• Latino Families

  • Diversity based on varying lengths of U.S. residency and degrees of assimilation.

  • Influences political views and social status.

• Asian American Families

  • Originating from multiple countries: Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Philippines, etc.

  • Varied circumstances of immigration (war, oppression, poverty) leading to diverse educational and socioeconomic statuses.

• Middle Eastern Families

  • Immigrated from approximately 30 different countries, showcasing language diversity.

  • Common values include family importance, traditional gender roles, and ethnic identity reinforcement.

• Increasing Multiracial Families

  • The rise of interracial and interethnic relationships since the 1960s due to increased proximity and social interactions among diverse groups.