The family and parenting in the 21st century

As we enter a new millennium, many are questioning the nature of the family and its future in a rapidly changing society. To put these issues in proper perspective, this article reviews the changes the family has undergone in the past and explores what this suggests about the future. First, a brief historical sketch of the American family over the past two centuries is presented. Next, the modern concept of the family as a functioning system is explored. Family systems not only evolve in structure through history, but each family also develops individually through its own family life cycle. These ideas are presented from a family therapy perspective in order to give the physician a more practical framework within which to view families seen in practice. Finally, some implications for the future of families in the next decade are discussed.