AMERICAN FAMILY DECLINE:
David Popenoe’s article discusses the idea that the American family is losing meaning because its structure is being lost. He believes the best family, and the only family that should exist, is made up by an independent (male) and a dependant (female) in a two parent patriarchal society. He believes that any other model is detrimental to the children and to our society as a whole. The fact that divorce rates have increased, less children are being conceived, putting of marriage until later, more working women, are all facts that prove that the American family is in a decline.
SKY IS FALLING:
The article critiques David Popenoe’s analysis of the family today. Popenoe argues that the family today is in a decline. The family is losing it’s structure, the marital bonds that hold it together, the traditional roles each person plays are changing, and therefore today’s American family is changing for the worse. Popenoe believes in a patriarchal society, that the man should dominate the household, while the women and children follow. However, Cowan argues that Popenoe’s statements are ludicrous and not up to date. He acknowledges that the family is changing, because our society as a whole is changing. Nowadays, both men and women are working, putting off marriage, putting off having kids, and focusing on their careers. Women’s role in society is changing and therefore their role within the family is changing. Cowan argues that we need to reexamine the family through a more realistic and modern view point.
GOOD RIDDANCE:
This article, like the one before, critiques the ideas and writings of David Popenoe from Judith Stacey’s standpoint. She emphasizes the idea that America is changing. It is a country made of a diverse population of people ranging in different ethnicities, religions, job employments, and more. Therefore, there cannot be one egalitarian formula for the model family. She also argues that Popenoe’s model family can actually have negative effects on the children and the society as a whole. Different family models can produce children without having a detrimental psychological effect. She argues that we need to take in and recognize all family models, expand our horizon of what family in America means today.
I found this article to be the most interesting and relative. She presents an optimistic outlook towards today’s American families. A patriarchal household is nearly impossible to cultivate today. With more women working, a two parent family is not always possible or even desired by some. Like Judith, I agree that a two parent, male dominated household does not promote equality and equal opportunity. It reverts us back to the 1950s ‘Leave it to Beaver’ model family.
In my opinion, I can only rely on what I have experienced myself, I believe that a two parent household is ideal and has the best benefits for children. However, it does not necessarily mean that the man is working and the woman is at home to be the homemaker. I think there should be a balance between household income between the parents, as well as responsibilities in the home and child care should be shared. It should be a team between the two parents.