Routledge Family Cycles - American Domestic Life Study

Explore the changing landscape of American domestic life in this paradigm-shifting volume by Allan C. Carlson. Part of the Marriage and Family Studies Series, this book identifies and examines four distinct cycles that determine the strength or weakness of American family systems from 1630 to 2000. Carlson presents a unique model of the American family characterized by early and nearly universal marriage, high fertility, and close attention to parental responsibilities. The text examines how these traits, along with complementary gender roles and meaningful intergenerational bonds, create a stable system. The work also provides a comparative look at the American model versus the European model, which has shown different trends since 1700, such as late marriage and high proportions of adults who never marry. This academic resource is essential for students and researchers interested in anthropology and sociology. It offers a deep look into the historical patterns that shape how families function and evolve over centuries.