"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
"The American Way," Allan Carlson's episodic history of the last century, shows how the nation's identity has been shaped by carefully constructed images of the American family and the American home. From the surprisingly radical measures put forth by Theodore Roosevelt to encourage stable, large families, to the unifying role of the image of the home in assimilating immigrants, to the "maternalist" activists who attempted to transform the New Deal and other social welfare programs into vehicles for shoring up traditional family life, Carlson convincingly demonstrates the widespread appeal exerted by the images of family and community. Carlson also shows how a family- and faith-centered discourse anchored Henry Luce's publishing enterprise and even American foreign policy during the Cold War.
But many of the reforms and ideas championed by pro-family forces in the twentieth century—family activists' embrace of the federal bureaucracy, Luce's propaganda for suburban living and modern architecture—inadvertently worked to undermine family and community life, writes Carlson. And he shows that the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which effectively made it illegal for employers to offer male breadwinners a "living wage," has made it harder for traditional families to make ends meet, further helping to fracture family life. Carlson concludes by arguing that, despite the half-hearted and partially successful attempt of the Reagan administration to again forge a link between the American identity and healthy family life, much bolder measures are necessary if American culture is again to be put on a family- and community-centered footing.
Written with grace and precision, "The American Way" is revisionist history of the highest order.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 4.00
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_1932236112
Book Description Condition: New. Book is in NEW condition. Seller Inventory # 1932236112-2-1
Book Description Condition: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published. Seller Inventory # 353-1932236112-new
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard1932236112
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think1932236112
Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # FrontCover1932236112
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # Abebooks540659
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # DCBAW--0162
Book Description Condition: New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! 0.99. Seller Inventory # Q-1932236112