Language

The English word "family" is a direct borrowing from the Latin familia. The word could be used to refer to both persons and property

The Oscan root of the Latin word is famel, meaning slave

Familia, thus, originally meant a band of slaves

Familia

The word in its original sense implied an authoritarian structure and hierarchical order, founded on but not limited to marriage and parenthood

In early Roman law, the father's authority was absolute, including the right to put members of his family to death

Ariés' theories on history of childhood

No concept of childhood before 17th century. Children bottom of social scale

Formal parent-child relationships. Parents distant, unapproachable

Up to 18th century and again early 19th century, children were often brutally exploited and "subjected to indignities now hard to believe"

General Court of Massachusetts Bay Colony 1646

If a man has a stubborn or rebellious son, of sufficient years and understanding (viz.) sixteen years of age, which will not obey the voice of his Father , or the voice of his Mother, and that when they have chastened him will not harken unto them:

1646

Then shall his Father and Mother being his natural parents, lay hold on him, and bring him to the Magistrates assembled in Court and testify unto them, that their son is stubborn and rebellious and will not obey their voice and chastisement, but lives in sundry notorious crimes, such a son shall be put to death

Implications

The law was distinctive in three ways:

1. It defined a special obligation that pertained to children but not adults

2. It defined the parents as the focus of that obligation

3. It established rules to govern when public officials could intervene in the family and what actions they could take

Images of the family have changed

By the 19th century, the "ideal family" comprised a tightly closed circle of reciprocal relationships. The family was seen as besieged (at risk in modern terms)

All generations of Americans have reported pressures on family life, believing the distant past to be more supportive of families

The beginning of the 20th century

The rise of the campanionate family 1900-1930

Sharp decline in birth rates of native-born, old-stock whites

From 1889-1906, United States had the highest divorce rate in the world

Statutory grounds reduced from 400+ to fewer than 20

Early 20th century

Nativist movement opposed birth control measures, immigration

Purity crusade arose to attack prostitution, STDs, and double standard of sexual morality

The ideal of motherhood was sentimentalized

Early century...

Victorian ideal of childhood (innocence, isolation from corruptions of adult world) gave way to democratic ideal (children need greater freedom from parental control, greater latitude in expressing feelings, increased interaction with peers, especially adolescents)

Early century….

Shift from childbirth at home to hospital

Scientific mothering built on new concepts from social sciences, public health

Mother's movement sought to re-structure domestic roles. Emphasis on efficiency, expertise, and professionalism

Marriage counseling was introduced

Early century…..

Children spent more time in household

Nation "discovered" poverty (Riis)

Settlement house movement promoted middle class values

Scientific charity introduced

Child labor conditions produced new laws

1909 White House Conference on children

Early century…...

Progressive school movement changed control over schools (politicians to educational professionals)

School systems expanded offerings, especially at high school

School's role in Americanization recognized

Child saving programs expanded

Early century …….

Social service agencies evolved to public sector

Drug use seen as problem at schools

Illiteracy seen as problem

Status of female and minority group members' vote debated