1980s Gender Roles

Between the late 1980s and the new century, American society changed in several drastic ways. With computers and computers and the internet becoming more widespread new doors opened for business, students, medical fields, and other industries. The common perception of marriage was being questioned. Gender roles in marriage were shifting as well as the percentage of those getting married and having children. Debate over the pros and cons of immigrations and the changes in environment sprung up.
American business and schooling changed with the gaining popularity of the internet. The percentages of marriages decreased as did the number of married couples with children. Same-sex marriages faced some opposition early on, but were eventually deemed legal nationwide. As the number of immigrants continued to increase, there were concerns as to the effects of immigration on the economy and nation as a whole. There was also concern for the amount of pollution being created and global warming.
“First introduced in the 1980s, by the late 1990s millions of Americans spent hours a day at work or home typing on personal computers (Keene, 892).” Computers became an important industry in the
economy. Typewriters and printed copies of documents gave way to the digital versions. The new technology was quickly being integrated into daily life, including in schools. “Americans differed on the benefits that children derived from this new technology (Keene, 893).” There were concerns that new technology, including video games, would produce violence and childhood obesity (Keene, 893). More resources were now easily spread and more widely available which aided medical research as well as the pornography and gambling industries.
The family unit has always been an important part of society.
“By 1998, 47 percent of American families lived in non-married households, both with and without children, compared to 26 percent in 1972 (Keene, 893).” The majority of couples both worked outside of the home by the turn of the century challenging the traditional family dynamic and gender roles (Keene, 893). While some wanted a return to more traditional marriage, Liberals applauded this change. At this point, even many Liberal Democrats still opposed same-sex marriage. “While many Americans were willing to tolerate same-sex couples living together, people on both ends of the political spectrum drew the line at same-sex marriages (Keene, 893).” It wouldn’t be until 2015 that gay marriages were legal in all of the
states.
The 1990s saw around 9.1 million immigrants come into the United States. “Overall the US attracted three times as many immigrants as all other nations combined (Keene, 894).” Many saw this rise in immigration, especially illegal immigration, as a threat to the nations’ unity and economy. “Both Democrats and Republicans worried that immigrants, who were willing to work for less, took jobs away from native-born workers (Keene, 896).” Illegal immigrants could obtain healthcare and schooling without paying the taxes meant to provide these services. On the other side of the argument, it was said that immigrants helped the economy by taking the low-paying jobs such as busboys, gardeners, and nannies (Keene, 896).
Another concern at this time was accelerated climate change which scientists linked to burning of fossil fuels, coal and oil (Keene, 896). Scientists named this phenomenon global warming. The release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere trapped the suns heat leading to global warming. There were worries that accelerated climate change threatened to reshape the physical space that the Americans inhabited and urged the nation to reverse human-induced environmental damage (Keene, 896). “Scientist also speculated that global warming affected rainfall patterns and storms, increasing droughts, wildfires, and hurricanes (Keene 896).” “For Americans to reduce the amount of fossil fuels burned in cars and factories, lifestyles needed to change (Keene, 897).”
American business and schooling changed with the gaining popularity of the internet. The percentages of marriages decreased as did the number of married couples with children. Same-sex marriages faced some opposition early on, but were eventually deemed legal nationwide. As the number of immigrants continued to increase, there were concerns as to the effects of immigration on the economy and nation as a whole. There was also concern for the amount of pollution being created and global warming.
The United States moved into the twenty-first century with new debates on many subjects. With changes in family, technology, immigration, and the environment, society was moving into uncharted territory. Only time would tell if these innovations were for the better.