Bryan Gandhi
English 10 SLE
Mrs. Resner
December 20, 2008
Is Normal Really Normal?
According to Runet.edu, “ninety-four percent of American households are dysfunctional.” This indicates that six percent of American families are normal. This would mean that the “Typical American Family” is rarely seen in the United States. So, America, what does normal truly mean? The Sloan Work and Family Research Network of Boston College presented their own definition of the Standard North American Family. They defined it as “a conception of the family as a legally married couple sharing a household. The adult male is in paid employment; his earnings provided the economic basis of the family-household. The adult female may also earn an income, but her primary responsibility is to the care of the husband, household and children. Adult male and female may be parents (in whatever legal sense) of children also resident in the household.” Although the Boston College definition depicts the notable, so-called “perfect household,” many citizens in the United States have their own definitions. From the way they have been raised and taught or simply from the different back grounds and opinions the residents of this country have, they feel that people have accepted the Boston College definition in this country for far to long. The definition of the Standard North American Family must be modified to the present day basis of what American families look like, act like, etc. As time goes on, all things must change in a sense, and changing this definition is no different. The definition above does not decipher what the modern family of today is. While the Boston College term provides the past definition of the American family, the modern structure of the American family has changed over the years; women are not seen as housewives anymore, the husband and wife have divided their responsibilities evenly; and pets are important household members.
Throughout the years, married women have...