February 15 No Reading Assignment. The 1950s have been idealized as a time period when America's families were particularly strong. Some scholars view current change in American society as evidence of a serious decline in the American family. In fact, they think that many of America's most compelling social problems are a direct result of family breakdown. Discussion in this section of the course will consider that position.
Some scholars contend that family decline is a myth and that the family is merely changing.
We will conclude the course by examining some of the new challenges facing the American family in the 21st century.