The Ever Changing Family

             I remember seeing a few weeks ago a television commercial that amazed me. If I recall correctly, I think it was for Pop-Tarts. The first half of the commercial was shown in black and white with the typical family on a typical sunny day, in a 1950s style kitchen. The father was sitting at the head of the kitchen table, sipping on coffee and calmly reading the morning newspaper. The mother was in front of the stove wearing an apron and happily cooking eggs and waffles for the family. The two children were also sitting at the table, cheerfully talking and playing with one another while patiently waiting for their meal The mother then put the plates on the table, sat down and the whole family had a relaxing breakfast together. Then where was a "Flash forward". The second half of the commercial was in color, and the mother was fully dressed in a business suit, and franticly trying to assemble the children's lunches. At the same time, the kids were running through the kitchen, rushing to put on their backpacks while yelling at the mother to "hurry up". The kids then hastily grabbed their lunchboxes and a Pop-Tart from their mother's hands and ran out the door. The father was also running through the kitchen, with an untied necktie, rushing to grab his briefcase, and trying to put his watch on at the same time. .
             After watching that commercial, I almost fell back in my seat in disbelief. I admit, I do not have first hand experience with 1950s families" lifestyle, however I sort of had a reality check. I realized, based on what I have experienced, the second part of the commercial is quite accurate. Stephanie Coontz (1997) says, "many of us now feel our expanding roles beyond the family have restricted our access to family life" Combining my own experiences, and seeing that commercial, I must agree with her statement. My own life, for the most part, is consistent with what she is talking about.