ABSTRACT
An understanding of the family arrangements and supports for older people in American society has been clouded by myths about the past, on the one hand, and by a narrow treatment of contemporary problems, on the other hand. Following a historical and life course perspective, this chapter examines changes in demographic behavior, in family and household organization, in the timing of life course transitions, and in kin assistance of men and women as these factors affected their adaptation in the later years of life in American society since the nineteenth century. Historical research has dispelled the myths about the existence of ideal three-generational families in the American past. Demographic changes in American society since the late nineteenth century have significantly affected age configuration within the family and the timing of life course transitions and have had, therefore, a significant impact on the later years of life.
