Family Life in 20th-Century America

No other century promoted such rapid change in American families than the twentieth century did. Through most of the first half of the century families were two-parent plus children units, but by the 1980s and 1990s divorce was common in half of the homes and many families were single-parent or included step-parents, step-siblings and half-siblings. The major changes in opinions and even some laws on race, gender and sexuality during the 1960s and 1970s brought change to families as well. Some families were headed by gay parents, lived in communes or other non-traditional homes, were of mixed race, or had adopted children. Family life had changed dramatically in less than 50 years. The change in the core make-up of what was considered a family ushered in new celebrations and holidays, ways of cooking, eating, and entertainment, and even daily activities. In this detailed look at family life in America, Coleman, Ganong and Warzinick discuss home and work, family ceremonies and celebrations, parenting and children, divorce and single-parent homes, gay and lesbian families, as well as cooking and meals, urban vs. suburban homes, and ethnic and minority families. Reference resources include a timeline, sources for further reading, photographs and an index.

Marilyn Coleman is Director of Graduate Studies and Professor in Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Missouri. She has co-authored with Larry GanongStepfamily Relationships: Developments, Dynamics and Intervention (2004), Handbook of Contemporary Families: Considering the Past, Contemplating the Future (2003),Changing Families, Changing Responsibilities: Family Obligations Following Divorce and Remarriage (1999) andRemarried Family Relationships (1994).

Lawrence H. Ganong is Professor in Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Missouri. He has co-authored with Marilyn ColemanStepfamily Relationships: Developments, Dynamics and Intervention (2004), Handbook of Contemporary Families: Considering the Past, Contemplating the Future (2003),Changing Families, Changing Responsibilities: Family Obligations Following Divorce and Remarriage (1999) andRemarried Family Relationships (1994).

Kelly Warzinik is a Ph.D student in Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Missouri.