Stephanie Coontz reading

Reading Stephanie Coontz's essay, "What we Really Miss About the 1950's" was an interesting look back at how different America's social and economic views were compared to today's generation. I thought it was an interesting point Coontz made that the traditional male/female role in the household was an adaptation to America's early industrial age. The bread winner and homemaker roles made a lot more sense when everyone was trying to acheive the American dream. Interestingly, Coontz points out that these roles from child to student to consumer was actually detrimental to the idea of a stable and economic household.
In response to the idea of a perfect family unit, Coontz makes the point that this idea of the American dream indirectly caused such problems as the the Great Depression and the rest of the world's view of our country. I find it peculiar that we read this author's particular view when our country is going through a similar economic struggle as it did in the 1940's- 1950's. I think Coontz makes a valid point when stating that the problem of divorced families does not lie in the marriage itself, but the arguments between family members. I also admire Coontz for encouraging family members to embrace step family members instead of condeming them.
Other issues such as the growing independence of women, post-war interaction between the government and the country, and unethical tax cuts further damaged the following generation of youth. In response, the American family adapted by having a later marriage, fewer children, and two job relationship. Although these drastic changes took a toll on the 1950's economy, it changed our country into what it is today.