Think of the American "traditional family," and you probably imagine the Cleavers from the 1950s sitcom "Leave it to Beaver" — or at least the Drapers in the early seasons of "Mad Men." This nostalgic view of family life colors virtually every social issue that affects modern society. There's just one problem: The traditional family of the 1950s was a brand-new and short-lived phenomenon. We can't return to the days of the "traditional" family because they hardly existed in the first place.
We Never Were the Way We Were
The Good Old Days, Starting Today
The Surprising Reason Married Women Are Called Mrs.
Written by
Ashley Hamer
September 18, 2017
Wake up with the smartest email in your inbox.
Our Best Articles Daily
Curiosity uses cookies to improve site performance, for analytics and for advertising. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.