The Changing American Family

1.      The Tofflers argue that people should not be so upset about the changing American family. Find the paragraph where they begin using classification as a method of developing their argument. 2.      Explain each of the three distinct categories, or “waves," described by the authors. Do you agree with this historical classification? Can you think of other ways to classify the family? 3.      In paragraphs 16 through 24, find the nine types of^7 families suggested for the Third Wave. Discuss the conditions of our modern world that make these “new" family groupings possible. 4.      The Tofflers point out that only 7 percent of Americans still live in classic nuclear families. This fact frightens many people, even some who themselves are outside a nuclear family. What are some of the reasons for these fears? Do these reasons make you less optimistic than the Tofflers about the new family structures? 5.      In paragraph 30, the writers point out that any “attempt to go backward to a simpler system dominated by the nuclear family . . . will fail"because that would mean looking backward instead of ahead. Do you agree or disagree, and why? 6.      The Tofflers suggest we need to understand the Third Wave to make the new system "more decent, responsible, morally satisfying and humane." What are some of their suggestions? Do you think American society is moving toward greater understanding of the Third Wave family? Discuss.