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important, messages often are
contradictory. This has produced a
“generation gap” in which younger family
members often receive messages in music
and videos that contradict the messages
they receive at home. The language of
communication may mystify adults who
cannot understand the slang their children
use to communicate.

Isolation of the Nuclear Family

Related to loss of moral authority,
people often find that increased mobility
means less community structure for
raising a family. One of the most
significant changes for the modern family
is the increasing isolation of the nuclear
family. Previous generations relied on
extended family members, not only for
financial support and childrearing
assistance, but also to help provide a sense
of community. Today’s communities are
increasingly fractured, the result of people
coming and going. This can lead to
diminished parental authority and the
development of a separate youth culture
that challenges parental values. As families
sometimes grow suspicious and fearful of
the larger society, nuclear families
sometime become even more privatized,
and isolated, limiting children’s interaction
with diverse culture and ideas.

The “Commodified” Family

To become “commodified” means to

allow things to become more important

than relationships. This was ushered in

with the Industrial Age. With the

disintegration of family farms and small

family businesses, families gradually

became units of consumption instead of

production. Work was separated from

family life, as husbands and wives left their

homes for substantial periods of time.

They did this to bring in money to meet

the family’s demands for more and more

things (see chapter 3).

Modern Families Can Have Hope

Modern American families are unique

adaptations of a society which is

increasingly diverse, mobile, and

materialistic. Some of these adaptations

are extremely stressful on marriage and

family relationships.

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the

salt has become tasteless, how can it be

made salty again?... You are the light of

the world. A city set on a hill cannot be

hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and

put it under a basket, but on the

lampstand, and it gives light to all who are

in the house. Let your light shine before

men in such a way that they may see your

good works, and glorify your Father who

is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13–16 NASB).

Epilogue