AMERICAN FAMILY

INSIGHT AMERICA

AMERICAN FAMILY

I was asked by my Friend- what America sir! There children are taught about sex from early stage and a school lad shot dead his teacher. He also quoted that children are being spoiled from young age itself and drug addicts. Not all Americans are like the above though it may be true in some cases.

In America, nationals of all nations have settled there-Asians, Africans, middle easterners etc. It is a country of all religions and each group want to adopt its own culture and they do so without any interference from Government though it is a predominantly a Christian Nation.

There is drastic change in the attitude of Americans towards family life. The gay style has gone and as the population of Senior Citizens increases new responsibility has fallen on younger generation. This forms one group.

The second group comprises of divorcees living with their children.

The third group is husband earning in one place and wife earning in another place and meet on holidays.

Life has to be adjusted according to these environments so also the economy.

In 1900, the average age of Americans was 47. Today it is 75. On those days, the Senior Citizens form 4%. Today it is 20%. Those days there was no necessity to keep Senior Citizens to live together. However, today it is different.

On those days, there was no close bondage between parents and children but today it is different. Parents love to be with children and vice versa

When the family size increases naturally, the time spent with children increases and we see a drastic change in the attitude of young people towards parents and family. Since both parents have to work, some times miles away they get very rare time to spend their time with children.

To adjust such an environment Americans have adapted to fast food, automatic cooking appliances etc so that their time spent in kitchen is reduced. Since their time is precious, they shop in one-stop shopping malls like Ralph, Target.

Let us look at the income of American family:-

Average size of family is four
Total earnings for 2-persons: $ 68000 per annum.
Out of this income, they spent 39% towards various taxes.
For household expenses including cloths: 16%
Medicare: 11%
Conveyance: 7%
Recreation: 5%
Federal taxes: 26%
State and local taxes: 13%
Savings: 0.5%

From the above figures, you can see that both husband and wife should work to enable them to live a decent life. Therefore there is no job is mean for them.

You can find a Typist works part time in departmental stores or in libraries.

A Husband helps his wife in various household works like ironing, assisting in cooking etc-thereby reducing the burden of wife.

They spent quite a lot during yearly holidays by arranged tours or moving with family to some tourist spots etc.

Unlike in India Joint Family system is not attracting them-be independent but cultivate bondage and help during the crises-that is the motto of American family life.

R.Jagannathan.