The Impact of the Modern Family on Life Span Development
The Impact of the Modern Family on Life Span Development
Robin Roberts
PSYCH/500
February 7, 2010
Debbie Jennings
The Impact of the Modern Family on Life Span Development Over the last century the American family model has changed significantly. A traditional family of a mother, father, and siblings, all living in the same household is currently the minority. Any group of people who come together for each others well being and be defined as a family. A family can have two mothers, or two fathers. There can be stepmothers and step fathers, or just one mother, or just one father. There can be many more variations of what a family is in modern society. All of these variations can have an impact on life span development. Families of the past The family has been evolving since the beginning of time. Families or tribes traveled and lived together including many generations. All adults cared for and reared the young children of the community. In some tribes, individuals may move from group to group, regardless of blood line to align with a group that held the same beliefs and values. The nuclear family that society considers the norm did not come into existence until the 1600s. The goal of the family structure in tribal times was for survival, hunting, and gathering food. In the 1600s it was to secure the survival of the next generation. Now families hope that they can evolve to the next level. A solid family operation, regardless of the make up, is the core of bringing forward the next generation. As long as child has a stable secure family influence, he or she can develop. Current Familes In today’s modern family the traditional roles of mother and father are up for grabs, depending on the family situation. Some children who have grown up with a stay-at-home father and a mother who works outside the home do not notice any difference from their peers and are nurtured in this environment, when it is successful. No one can
Robin Roberts
PSYCH/500
February 7, 2010
Debbie Jennings
The Impact of the Modern Family on Life Span Development Over the last century the American family model has changed significantly. A traditional family of a mother, father, and siblings, all living in the same household is currently the minority. Any group of people who come together for each others well being and be defined as a family. A family can have two mothers, or two fathers. There can be stepmothers and step fathers, or just one mother, or just one father. There can be many more variations of what a family is in modern society. All of these variations can have an impact on life span development. Families of the past The family has been evolving since the beginning of time. Families or tribes traveled and lived together including many generations. All adults cared for and reared the young children of the community. In some tribes, individuals may move from group to group, regardless of blood line to align with a group that held the same beliefs and values. The nuclear family that society considers the norm did not come into existence until the 1600s. The goal of the family structure in tribal times was for survival, hunting, and gathering food. In the 1600s it was to secure the survival of the next generation. Now families hope that they can evolve to the next level. A solid family operation, regardless of the make up, is the core of bringing forward the next generation. As long as child has a stable secure family influence, he or she can develop. Current Familes In today’s modern family the traditional roles of mother and father are up for grabs, depending on the family situation. Some children who have grown up with a stay-at-home father and a mother who works outside the home do not notice any difference from their peers and are nurtured in this environment, when it is successful. No one can
References: Popenoe, David. Disturbing the nest: family change and decline in modern societies, Brunswick New Jersey. Pearson, Retrieved February 6, 2011 Satoto, and M.F. Zeitlin. 1990. "Indonesian Positive Deviance in Nutrition Research Project. Phase I and Phase II Reports." Submitted by Tufts University School of Nutrition to UNICEF and the Italian Government. University of Phoenix (Ed.). (2010). A topical approach to life-span development (5th ed.). [University of Phoenix Custom Edition e-Text]. New York, New York: McGraw Hill. Retrieved February 6, 2011, from PSYCH/500-Lifespan Development