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715 BCE
History of Family (Origin)
The origins of family are actually unclear. There is suggested evidence that families could have existed for thousands, or even millions of years. -
Family Before the Industrial Revolution
Families were often bigger, and they usually worked together to make what they needed to survive. They usually lived and worked on farms. -
The Industrial Revolution
Life shifted for families at this point. Chores and work at home became more of the woman's job, while the men went out to work and travel. Work shifted from farm life to factory life. -
Ellen Swallows Richards
She applied to MIT, and got accepted as a special student with no tuition since women weren't allowed to be accepted there yet. She then eventually raised enough money to open a women's lab at MIT. She knew that women had potential in the home economics department, which led her to establish the "New Kitchen of Boston" where cooking demos, instruction on housekeeping techniques, and nutritious science-based meals were offered and taught. -
The Feminist Theory
Due to the dramatic increase of women in the workplace over the last four decades, gender equality had become a huge deal as women wanted to become more than just housewives. -
The Social Exchange Theory
Influenced by Adam Smith's teachings of economics in the late 1700's. Humans are motivated to act and behave based on what they value most. Family members have individual motivations influencing the behaviors they choose. Often used to study power bases within the family. -
Changes to Home Economics
The name was changed to Family and Consumer Sciences, and the mission was repositioned and reframed. To this day, the field continues to evolve and align with other disciplines around different campuses. -
Cultural Diversity within the Family
Although marriage rates are dropping, today marriages and families are becoming more and more diverse. From having different cultural backgrounds, to being of different religious affiliations. -
The Family Today
Researchers haven't been able to find a picture to represent a family today or what it will look like in the future. The definition of family must be broad and flexible. Although, the traditional and/or nuclear family may be the symbol of the American family, it does not symbolize all families today. -
Sources
Industrial Revolution Info: https://www.uml.edu/docs/Nutter_workday_FromFarmFactory_tcm18-203202.pdf
Richards"https://wams.nyhistory.org/modernizing-america/modern-womanhood/ellen-swallow-richards/
Textbook- Family Resource Management 4th Edition
All of my images were found on google, just by searching the topic, then clicking images.