None of these assumptions are correct. While a traditional lifestyle still prevails with some American families, these are only a very small percentage of the population. Today, many families have only one adult in the household, often the mother, or families have been restructured in connection with divorce and re-marriage of one or both adults. Where a traditional family structure exists, usually both the mother and the father work and are gone most of the week. This means that household chores and errands have to be handled on the weekend.
Teenage children are absent from home much of the time.
They are in school until well into the afternoon and then usually have various activities and often don't return home until evening. In such a family, there may not be a common mealtime, because the family members are not usually at home at the same time. Individuals often prepare their own meals or help themselves to meals that have been prepared and stored for later consumption. Everyone participates in household chores and takes responsibility for his or her own needs. That means, making the bed, straightening up, dusting, doing one's own laundry, vacuuming, etc., and usually preparing most of one's own meals.