Inside the True Nuclear Family
Today there is a current nostalgic obsession with the traditional nuclear family. This two parent – two generational family, which was a common family form in the 1950’s, is a family structure that was associated with social stability and optimistic views on life. It focused on a family unit that was lead by an authoritarian father figure that was aided by the typical housewife. During this era, every aspect of life seemed to be kosher, but what really went on in the households of nuclear families was never truly revealed. In the DreamWorks production American Beauty, the flaws of the traditional nuclear family are exposed as the foundation of the Burnham family gradually begins to fall apart as the movie progresses. Through the film, American Beauty challenges the superiority of the nuclear family by depicting role reversals within the members of the Burnham family, showing how various family members conflict with each other and by exposing the physical and emotional restrictions that are associated with the traditional nuclear family. ... Lester immediately challenges the authoritarian role of the nuclear family by forcing his wife Carolyn into the masculine “breadwinner” role of the family. ... His departure from full-time employment challenges the idea that the father should be the authoritarian figure of the family; causing arguments among himself and his wife Carolyn. With Lester’s job transfer from an advertising agency to a fast food restaurant, he puts his family into a position where financial stability may not longer exist. This is highly uncommon in the nuclear family, as the father figure generally will do anything in order to maintain financial stability and live a more comfortable life financially. Instead of putting his family at the top of his priorities, Lester uses his own temptations and necessities to replace his responsibilities of being a father. This directly challenges traditional roles because Lester is no longer the primary source of income, diminishing his role of being the authoritarian father figure in the Burnham family.
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