Title: The Evolution of American Family Structure
Headings: The Evolution of American Family Structure
The Evolution of American Family Structure
A Brief History of the Pre-20th Century Family
Government and the Family
Depression and War
Family Structures in the Postwar World
The Idyllic ’50s
The Modern Family Unit
Further Change in the Marital Family
The Role of Family Science
Next Steps: Family Science Degrees at Concordia University, St. Paul

Content: The Idyllic ’50s
The standard structure of the family in postwar America consisted of a “breadwinner male, his wife who did household chores and looked after the children, and the children.” Families ate meals and went on outings together, and lived in sociable neighborhoods. Parents paid close attention to disciplining their children and live-in relationships were unheard of — in fact, girls stayed in their parents’ home until marriage and did not commonly attend college. Children became emotional rather than economic assets for the first time, close with their parents and the center of the family. Because of this, parents studied child development and worked to socialize their children so that they would become successful adults. Childhood became a distinct period of life. However, young girls were “not considered to be fit for the attainment of higher education, as they were looked upon as housewives.” All in all, family structure in the ’50s was based around one central necessity: a secure life. The economic and global instability of the early 20th century gave rise to the need for closely defined family units.