Changes in the American Family How much change has really occurred in the American family and what are the implications of th

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问题                                             Changes in the American Family
   How much change has really occurred in the American family and what are the implications of these changes? First, the household size has changed greatly since 1790. From 1790 to 1978 the mean family size was cut in half from 5.79 persons to 2.81 persons. In 1790 almost 63 percent of all persons lived in the households of five or more people. By 1978 the size accounted for a little over 14 percent of all households.
   By the end of the 19th century a majority of Americans were living in urban areas, and the family was very much influenced by the rapid development of industrialization. With the arrival of immigrants, the urban population was increasingly heterogeneous(由不同成分组成的). This challenges the exclusiveness of any single family pattern.
   In the 20th century, the ideal American family consisted of a husband and wife living with dependent children. They lived in a household of their own provided for by the husband’s earnings. The wife was responsible for emotional maintenance of the marriage and for raising the children and running the household.
   The major change in the family in this century has been due to married women entering the work force. This, at least for periods of time. has taken the woman out of her full-time involvement in the home. Of all husband and wife families about 40% have both in the work force at any given time.
   In the past the identity of the individual was submerged in the family. In general, reputation in the community came from the family. Today, however, whatever individuals achieve is usually assessed on its own merit, and family has little relevance. Individuals make it or don’t make it essentially on their own.
   A sociologist describes another way in which the American family has changed. Today, in the Western world, the major burdens that are a part of the family system are emotional ones. But in the 19th century the family was much more involved with economic needs and tasks; family and relatives were valued for providing assistance during crisis.

选项 A、In the 20th century, there are some families without children.
B、Most of the families in the 19th century had five or more children.
C、More and more Americans tend to live with their parents after marriage.
D、Fourteen percent of the U.S. families now have five or more children.

答案A

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