Family Then and Now
...em having their own roll to play in the simple social realm that existed. Servants also played their part in the colonial household. The hired and taken in often were considered regular members of the family. The people usually hired for these positions were often that of the less fortunate. By taking these people into the family, the unit was in tern helping society as a whole. Most tasks were done as a family. Men, women, young, and old played their part in insuring the prosperity of the family. Everyone worked together as well as played together. The only part of the colonial life which separated the family was the church. In the church everyone was separated, men sat on one side and women on the other. The children often sat in the rear or in another room all together. This aspect of colonial life seemed to display a direct difference between the social community and that of the church. The family of the nineteenth century stumbled into a new model of existence. During this time the family began noticing its existence as an individual. The image of the family was distinctly drawn and seemed to separate itself from that of the social spider web of its predecessor. During this time period the rule was to live and let live. Each family was dependent on that of itself and its provider. The man of the house often sacrificed family ideals for that of success. The family’s home became a safe haven to which the wife and children would live protected from the outside world, and the man of the house would retreat to after a long day of work. The man of the house was the exclusive delegate of the family to the outside world. His success or failure was not only his to deal with but also that of the family. The position of the woman of the house was to create a perfect dwelling for her hard working husband to come home to. There was an unattainable standard of faultlessness in which she had to work hard to achieve. Her role in the family was that of service, and was unable to pursue any interests of her own. The family of the nineteenth century had distinct roles in which they each were forced to play. Falling short in any of these roles meant serious problems for the family as a unit, and unlike the families of the past, the family in the nineteenth century had no support from outside sources. The modern family drew off of the families of the nineteenth century and seemed to expand on the harshness of society. Not only is it the man’s place to provide but also that of the woman. Each individual in the family still has their roles to play but now everyone has to contribute more in order to meet the standards set forth by society. Lack of concern for society as a whole seems to be the driving force in today’s modern family. Each person seems to believe that his or her existence means nothing to the surrounding happenings of society as a whole therefore the role that is played is for that of the family only. The roles and tasks within the family are of increasing concern. The roles of the mother and father are now joined. Eac...