Question

Describe three important factors that shaped the modern family. Did the Great depression have a devastating impact on all families? How did World War II affect family life and women's labor force participation?

Answer 1

3 factors which shaped the modern family in the United States as compared to the colonial times are as follows

1. Rise of Companionate family: This is an era that happened between 1900 and 1930. This era marked the beginning of nuclear family away from parents. The nuclear family consists of a husband, wife, and children. During this era, it was found that youngsters began to make a drift away from their parents and found happiness in leading independent life-giving values to their thoughts, beliefs, and styles.
2. Great Depression: This was an era that happened between 1929 and 1939. The stock market crashing marked the beginning of this era when many people lost their job. The devastating issues faced by families during this era were all associated with their residence, race, ethnicity, gender, and social class. Residence issues associated with the families were faced primarily by those who were living in rural areas who could not earn money for their daily expenses and decided to move to urban areas where they could earn money and send them back home for their children and spouse. It was the poor and working-class family members who were part of low paying jobs that suffered highest devastation in the depression era. As far as the race is considered, it was the Afro-Americans who faced severe issues then. Men who was the head and breadwinning member of all families also were found to lose their value as they were not able to properly perform their function.
3. World War 2: This era happened between 1939 and 1945. During this era, there was scarcity in labor in several sectors and industries. The two major sectors this was happening was the defense and the manufacturing ones. It was to these vacancies, that women were getting hired and they had financial independence along with a high salary than others. Men who were working in farms also moved to defense due to a high pay scale. Financial independence of women post world war 2 also increased the divorce rate as women freed themselves from many unhappy marriages they were living along for a long time.