nuclear Family
and the modern family
Comparing an contrasting the typical "nuclear" families of the 1950s and the modern families of the millenial generation.
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The notion of the "perfect" family
Life during the 1950s centered around family, marriage, and children. Women in this era did not grow up dreaming to be doctors, politicians, or lawyers, but instead, hoped to get married and have children. Women were expected to stay at home and care for the children, while their husbands went off to work. Televsisions shows from this era, such as Leave It to Beaver, this image of the "perfect" family. Every episode opened with scenes of children riding their bicycles through tree-lined neighborhoods. In front of every house, there was a white picket fence. The biggest problem the family faced was the Beaver not taking out the trash and then lying about it. However, every problem was overcome by the end of each episode after an honest family discussion.
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It is questionable if anyone's life could really be that perfect.
The image of the 1950s housewife was a woman who cleaned the house, took care of the children, cooked for the family, and still remained to look flawless in her pearl earrings and heels. However, when considering the list of chores the housewife had to tackle every day, such as making the beds, preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner, doing the ironing and laundry, and making a trip to the supermarket, it is nearly impossible she would have still managed to remain looking flawless until her husband walked in the door from work. A glimpse at the not-so-perfect 1950s family is seen on the television series Mad Men. The focal point of the series is Don Draper, the creative director at an advertising agency, and the people in his life, both in and outside the office. Don and his wife, Betty, put on this facade for their friends, neighbors, and coworkers that they are happily married, when in reality, Betty suffers from depression and Don has more than once been unfaithful to her. Betty is far from the steretypical 1950s housewife. She has hired help to pick the children up from school and watch them while she goes horseback riding or to her appointments at the therapist. she smokes like a chimney, and some days she stays in bed all day. The 1950s is always associated with this idea of the "perfect" family. However, it may not be so different from the divorced, single-parent, same-sex homes that make up today's society. |