A Brief History of the Pre-20th Century Family In fact, recent changes in family life are only the latest in a series of transformations in family roles, functions, and dynamics that have occurred over time. Constant change and adaptation are the only themes that remain consistent for families throughout America’s history. When the history of the American family was surveyed in-depth by Insider, it became apparent that this is not the case.
But these most recent changes have brought with them a nostalgia-based myth: that divorce, domestic violence, and single parenthood are recent phenomena. With single-parent households, varying family structures, and fewer children, the modern family defies categorization. Today, there really is no consistent definition of the American family. Instead of being one unit, the family institution has been in a constant state of evolution, according to California Cryobank. America’s mainstream culture evolves to reflect the predominant values of the day, including social systems such as the family.
