Readings

Cherlin 8-16 & Goldthorpe Chapter 2

• Historical Family Studies: The study of family life gained prominence in the 1960s due to newly discovered historical sources (parish records, diaries).

• Debates on Change vs. Continuity: Some historians argue that family life has changed significantly (e.g., Philippe Ariès), while others emphasize continuity (e.g., Alan Macfarlane).

• Industrial Revolution’s Impact: Originally thought to have disrupted family structures, but later research showed rural communities remained stable.

• Christian Influence on Families: The Church controlled marriage laws, inheritance, and kinship structures, shaping family life long before the Industrial Revolution.

Coontz (2010) – The Evolution of American Families

• Family Definitions Change Over Time: Definitions of "family" have shifted, from broad kinship networks to nuclear families in the 19th century.

• Kinship and Culture: Many societies define kinship differently (e.g., Mosuo families rely on sibling support rather than spouses).

• Rise of Domestic Family Ideal: The 19th-century middle-class family model emphasized separate spheres for men (work) and women (home).

• Economic Influence: Industrialization, immigration, and class differences have shaped family structures and gender roles.

• Contemporary Family Diversity: 20th-century families diversified, with economic pressures redefining traditional roles.

Fischer & Hout (2005) – "The Family in Trouble: Since When? For Whom?"

• Myth of Family Decline: Concerns about family breakdown (divorce, cohabitation) are not new; family structures have always evolved.

• 1950s Ideal Was an Anomaly: The male-breadwinner, female-homemaker model was not the historical norm but a temporary post-WWII phenomenon.

• Economic Inequality and Family Stability: Financial security impacts family stability more than cultural shifts.

• Race & Class Disparities: Black and low-income families have historically faced more challenges due to systemic inequalities.

• Policy Solutions: Economic support (e.g., childcare, healthcare) is more effective than promoting marriage.

Peggy Orenstein – "What’s Wrong With Cinderella?" (2006)

• Rise of the Disney Princess Phenomenon: The brand skyrocketed in sales, influencing young girls' self-image and perceptions of femininity.

• Feminist Concerns: The princess culture may reinforce outdated gender roles emphasizing beauty and passivity.

• Parenting Dilemmas: Orenstein debates whether princess culture is harmless fantasy or harmful social conditioning.

• Marketing Strategies: Disney

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Here are the key takeaways for "When Did Girls Start Wearing Pink?"

• Gendered Colors Were Not Always the Norm: In the 19th century, babies wore white dresses regardless of gender.

• Pink for Boys, Blue for Girls?: Early 20th-century advice suggested pink for boys (stronger color) and blue for girls (dainty), but this wasn’t standardized.

• Shift in the 1940s: Gender-specific colors became firmly established during this period, aligning boys with blue and girls with pink.

• Feminist Influence in the 1960s-70s: The women’s liberation movement encouraged unisex clothing, briefly reducing gendered fashion norms.

• 1980s Reversal: Prenatal testing led to parents purchasing gender-specific clothes before birth, reinforcing pink for girls and blue for boys.

• Consumer Culture & Gender: Marketing continues to shape gender identity through color-coded toys and clothing, though there is a rising demand for more gender-neutral options today.