Final answer:
Premodern families in the United States and Europe were not as idyllic as sometimes portrayed due to various factors. Changing economic conditions, inadequate housing, and the shift from a pre-capitalist to a capitalist economy influenced family dynamics. Conflicting views on family structures and resistance to government intervention also contribute to the less ideal portrayal of families.
Step-by-step explanation:
The idyllic portrayal of families in premodern United States and Europe is not entirely accurate according to historical research. There were various factors that prevented families from being as ideal as they are sometimes depicted. One reason is that middle-class families in the 19th century started reducing the number of children they had due to changing economic conditions. Children were no longer seen as a source of household labor and instead became an expense for working-class families. In addition, inadequate housing in urban areas made large families undesirable.
The nature of work also played a role in shaping family dynamics. In the pre-capitalist culture of the premodern era, most Americans lived on farms and had large family units where everyone lived in the same towns or counties. However, in the contemporary United States, with most people working in offices, shops, and factories, children are seen as a drain on the household resources. The modern capitalist economy requires a flexible and mobile workforce, leading to smaller family sizes and fragile marriage bonds. Economic conditions and employment instability contribute to these changes.
Furthermore, conflicting views on family structures and government intervention also impact the idyllic portrayal of families. In the United States, families have been defined as private entities, which has limited government intervention. Many Americans resist government involvement in family matters. Moreover, protests against secular popular culture have questioned traditional gender-based divisions of labor in modern families, leading to debates on the ideal family structure.