Family Cycles

<p>In this paradigm-shifting volume Allan C. Carlson identifies and examines four distinct cycles of strength or weakness of American family systems. This distinctly American family model includes early and nearly universal marriage high fertility close attention to parental responsibilities complementary gender roles meaningful intergenerational bonds and relative stability. Notably such traits distinguish the strong American family system from the weak European model (evident since 1700) which involves late marriage a high proportion of the adult population never married significantly lower fertility and more divorces.</p><p>The author shows that these cycles of strength and weakness have occurred until recently in remarkably consistent fifty-year swings in the United States since colonial times. The book's chapters are organized around these 50-year time frames. There have been four family cycles of strength and decline since 1630 each one lasting about one hundred years. The author argues that fluctuations within this cyclical model derive from intellectual economic cultural and religious influences which he explores in detail and supports with considerable evidence.</p>