The nurse explains to the student that television and movies have often portrayed families in certain ways, depending on the decade. Which of the following statements about this trend are correct? (Select all that apply.)

Question

A.
1950s-1960s: nuclear family, simple issues, father dominated
B.
1960s-1970s: extended families, lower income, divorced parents
C.
1980s-1990s: exploring social issues, stressed family closeness
D.
1990s: single parents, social issues including poverty and abuse
E.
New millennium: alternative family structures, extended family

Answer 1

ANS: A, C, D, E
In the 1950s and 1960s, families were father-dominated and nuclear in structure and shows focused on problems that were simple and easily solved. In the 1960s and 1970s, the trend was toward blended families (with widowhood being the reason for remarriage) that were mostly in an upper-income bracket. In the 1980s and 1990s, social issues such as class and politics became popular. The shows may not have shown resolution of the problem at hand, but emphasized the closeness of the family unit. In the 1990s, shows brought increased awareness of the challenges facing families dealing with a host of problems such as alcoholism, poverty, and abuse. In the new millennium, shows present alternative and extended family formats.