Guy, chair, three-way lamp

Unlike most of the rest of you, I found the reading, Changing American Family fascinating. I suppose the reason is that I have another dimension of which to compare, having a family of my own. It was interesting to read about the dynamics of the different classes and cultures and compare them to my own family; "We do that", "We would never do that", "Sometimes that has happened but I didn't like it". I noticed as I read the variety of reactions to situations and how I myself would've reacted to the same things. I am one who has always been intrigued by statistics and facts. I don't ususally remember them exactly, but I remember what the point was.

The Moynihan Report sounded like an unresearched biased opinion expressed to further the agenda of those who published it. Although Aulette seemed to write matter of factly about the report, it's arbitrary findings, and Slack's rebuttle, I could tell right away that she had a distaste for the report before she even got to the part that affirmed it. Using words like blamed, argued, and caused left a distinct perception of how she felt about it.

The opinion of the Moynihan Report seemed to be completely partial leaning to the only understanding they had of the "typical American family."

To add another more personal dimension, I grew up in a time where the humor on TV was largly based on these stereotypes. Shows like All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times (with JJ DYNOMITE Walker), What's Happening, Sanford and Sons, and Chico and the Man just to name a few, were full of racial slurrs and words of reference I don't even dare use today. Many of the portrayals of the black community and other cultures come to life in these old shows. I remember when I got a little older and viewed these as reruns, I was amazed that these actors were willing to characterize themselves and their race as stupid, illiterate, and crude. But then, I didn't really understand the implications of the times and the impact of history on their position. I imagine I could make all sorts of suppositions, but the reality is the difference between now, then, and the past before that.

The last part of the article delt with the impact of immigration of the family dynamic. I especially liked how they expressed how their adversity often created greater opportunity for growth and change.