1. Trends in American Family Life
Family Living
Mrs. Swope
Columbian High School

2. Colonial Days 1600-1775 13 British colonies People married young
Lived in small cottages
Lived in small villages or on small farms
All family members worked the farm

5. How did the lifestyle affect the colonial family?
Close relationship between family members
Family members worked for a common goal
Family life was centered around the farm or trade
Families had to be self-sufficient
Family members developed a strong work ethic

6. Colonial Life

7. Industrial Revolution 1780-1850
A result of steam- powered machinery
Mechanization of the textile industry
Trade expansion due to building of roads, canals and railways

8. Industrial Revolution cont.
Families moved off the farm to live and work in the cities
Wife: homemaker, laundress, seamstress
Husband: worked long hours in factories, or as merchants, or were involved with trade

9. Industrial Revolution cont.
Children: education wasn’t as important, many worked on factories

10. Industrial Revolution cont.
Families living in the city are now farther from extended family
New inventions make life easier
Pictured is the cotton gin

11. Second industrial Revolution 1850-1920
Western development partly due to the railroad
Families move west seeking a better life
Chemical, electrical, and automotive industries are developing

12. Industrial revolution cont. How does it affect the family?
Parenting roles changed:
Husbands and wives spend less time together
Children spend more time on the dirty, crowded, city streets. Less time spent having fun.

13. Age of Technology 1920-present
Many home appliance are invented
Technology has shortened time for chores, increased time for recreation
After 1940 many women enter the work force
After 1970 most husbands and wives work outside the home

14. Technology cont. How does it affect the family?
Child rearing roles have changed, shared more by both parents
Divorce rate has increased resulting in more single parents
Other people raising the children
Increased communication between family members

15. Affect on the family cont.
Families can travel, vacation together
Parents and children have become more scheduled
Education becomes a high priority
More choices in education