Take a quick peek into history and think about the pattern of work and the family. In ancient times, what were the careers of most fathers? What about most mothers? Even children? With very few exceptions, families throughout history have been together in their daily life. The nuclear family in the early 1800s would most likely consist of a father who farmed, a mother who farmed, and children who helped farm. This situation, having little to no variation, allowed families to spend the majority of their time together.
Contrast this scene to today's nuclear family. A father who has a day job, a mother who may also have a day job or works at home, and children who attend school during the day. How did we go from families who spent their entire lives together to a state of established independence from one another?
The Industrial Revolution was the first major implementation of what I call "optimization". Optimization is the process of making every part of a system function to its greatest capacity, in a system where production is at its greatest capacity. It's utilizing every part. It's become the most efficient. It's organizing in a way that gets the most results. It's....intense. Men, women, and children were offered jobs for pay in which their unique skills were utilized...apart from each other. In regards to the purpose of families, the purpose of growth and learning and strengthening friction, can you see how this change in organization affects relationships?
I don't think it's wise to analyze this situation we are in with only a lens of disgust. I don't think the Industrial Revolution has ruined families' chances for growth, love, and healthy relationships. However, what adaptations need to be made so that families can still fulfill their purpose in today's world of optimization?
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