ABSTRACT
Historians and anthropologists have documented extensive differences in the form and functions of families in different societies and across time. The formal and informal rules governing sexual behavior have varied, at times sanctioning second wives, concubines and mistresses. From the end of World War II until the mid-1980s, the media generally considered Norman Rockwell's pictures to represent the typical American family. Many older Americans grew up in that type of household. Many remember those times with nostalgia, based on happy memories of a nourishing, comfortable childhood. Close families provide many benefits but can limit personal growth and independence. American historical migration patterns often reflect the desire of second-generation immigrants to strike out on their own, escaping the traditions of "the old country" valued by their parents. Many employees experience considerable stress fulfilling job requirements while meeting family needs. Many Americans believe that women receiving welfare choose it as a way of life because they are unwilling to work.
