Women’s Rights and Family Demands

Time and again, the demise of the family in America has been predicted by ultra-radicals and conservatives alike, by the former as part of their wishful thinking, by the latter as part of their disenchantment with every sign of social change. It is therefore a pleasure to read a book on this theme without an apocalyptic vision. Carl Degler remains cool. While he documents in great detail the step-by-step emancipation of women during the 19th century, he sees the transformation that has taken place in the family as holding as much promise as threat. If the family has lost most of its functions and is left with the task of providing “love, support to children and affection between spouses, it might be said that the modern family, unl...