A Tendency Of Diversification In Contemporary American Families: Its Causes And Influences On Social Development

American families have undergone significant changes in the past few decades. The once dominant family type-breadwinner husband and homemaker wife with their own children- has given way to various family types: Dink families, single-parent families, blended families, singlehood, cohabitation, homosexual households, etc. What are the causes of the great changes in such a short period of time? How have the changes influenced and will influence the people as family members and the whole society? This paper hopes to provide an interpretation for changes in American family life in past few decades by attempting to place the family change in the context of demographic, economic, and cultural environment.In the first Chapter, the writer reviews the definition of families and the principal functions of families. Then, in Chapter Two, the writer aims to paint a clear picture of American families from a historical point of view with the focus on contemporary American families. Chapter Three summarizes the characteristics of Contemporary American families especially the functional changes of families. In Chapter Four, the causes of the changes are analyzed. The author believes economic and social changes should be accorded supreme importance, for it is the changes in these aspects that lead to changing ideas and views toward family life. In addition, such ideological beliefs as therapeutic ideology and feminism have also played an important role in the family changes. In Chapter Five, the writer explores the impact on individuals as well as social influences of such changes. Finally, in Conclusion, the writer concludes that the development of American society influences the individuals and families in it, leading to changes in contemporary American families. On the other hand, changes in American families affect both individuals who make up the families and the society at large, thus impacting social development.