Exam 2: The History of the Family

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Some characteristics of families in Colonial America included large family sizes, with an average of seven to eight children, and a patriarchal structure where the father was the head of the household. Families were often self-sufficient, relying on their own labor for food, clothing, and shelter. Children were expected to contribute to the family's economic well-being from a young age, and marriages were often arranged for economic or social reasons rather than for love.

The functions of families in Colonial America differed from families' functions today in several ways. In Colonial America, families were primarily responsible for their own economic well-being, with children and spouses all contributing to the family's livelihood. Today, families are more likely to rely on external sources of income, such as employment outside the home. Additionally, the roles of men and women within the family were more rigidly defined in Colonial America, with men as the primary breadwinners and women responsible for domestic duties. Today, there is more flexibility in gender roles within the family, with both men and women often sharing responsibilities for earning income and caring for the home and children. Overall, the functions of families in Colonial America were more focused on survival and economic stability, while modern families have more diverse and individualized roles and responsibilities.