The twenty-first century family composition is very different from the days of “Leave It to Beaver” (Bob Mosher) and “Happy Days” (Garry Marshall) when mothers didn't work outside the home. Instead, they were “homemade”. Back then this was more acceptable to provide your children with a safe and nurturing environment. My mother was very loving to all her children, saying things like "a mother is the cornerstone that keeps the family together" and "my love for you continues to grow every day". What a beautiful feeling to know that “a mother's love brings happiness and peace” (my mom, Ana Rosa Baez) within the family. To this day, I remember my mother making sure all of her chicks “the babies” were well taken care of. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Nowadays, “American generations” have become diverse and no longer consist of married couples. Our culture has seen the growth of “same-sex unions, parenthood, women choosing to remain single but have a child, and blended families as divorced couples remarry.” Fundamentally, the definition of “family” has changed dramatically from the “pre-Vietnam” days, when American families predominantly consisted of a traditional married couple with one or more children. Many citizens still believe in traditional ways, but many question them, asking “where are the family values?” My mother would say “we should never judge others because we are not God and God will continue to love everyone in this world”. (My mom, Ana Rosa Baez) Furthermore, in recent decades several social analysts and psychologists, social analysts and especially religious leaders have come to the conclusion that “family life is in serious trouble.” (The New York Times, Natalie Angier) Core family values ​​have been negatively impacted as a result of changing social lifestyles. Divorce is also another key factor in the declining composition of families in the United States. Those days of “Until Death Do Us Part” (Catholic Wedding Ceremony) (Book of Common Prayer, Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury) no longer exist in the 21st century. There are many reasons why married couples decide to separate. My mother always told her children that “a relationship means having good communication with your spouse. A person should not be so demanding, excluding favors in return. The key to a healthy union is having mutual trust. In other words, if you're not ready for marriage, don't get married at all. There have been many changes in our society in the last 40 years. “The domino effect of the traditional family in our country has been broken.” (The Huffington Post, John W. Whitehead) Most parents now both work outside the home. Currently there are families headed by single mothers and many children are raised in daycare centers while parents work in this demanding environment to provide for the child's daily needs. I must say that my brothers and sisters were so fortunate to have a father capable and willing to work two jobs to meet his monthly financial obligation to his family. I remember my father's words: "study hard in school to get opportunities that I couldn't get." For me it was a priority not to disappoint my father and mother because education was “a privilege and an honor”, ​​to do great things in the future. Growing up, many women obtained a high school education, then pursued successful careers, and postponed childbearing because they had the option to do so. Being a parent is a job that must be taken seriously. There were days whenmy mother would make crazy statements like "there is no return policy" (my mother, Ana Rosa Baez) telling us she can return your kids when things go wrong. I believe it is imperative that citizens consider that having children is a great responsibility. A mother and father are the ones who provide unconditional love but also give them a moral compass to teach them integrity, trust, compassion and empathy. These are some of the countless factors parents need to raise emotionally healthy children while safeguarding their development and ability to function in the world. The advent of sports, the pressure to go to college, and the competition to get good grades have also been a major factor in the breakdown of the traditional family. This has greatly changed the way families operate in today's culture. Much less time is spent with the family. The pressures parents feel to provide for their children in a society that has come to value material objects. The latest technologies, clothing, cars, universities, etc. are also felt by children. Today, more and more children do not eat dinner together as a family unit. In many cases children are left alone, having to go home, eat and do homework without supervision. Technology also plays an important role in changing the family unit. There has been a significant increase in teen alcohol use, illegal drug use, sex, and teen pregnancy. These problems contribute to the further breakdown of the family unit and society as a whole. Divorce has created a huge number of single-parent families in which women are the breadwinner. Statistics show that many of these individuals are pressured to ask for money to make ends meet. Family support systems have collapsed unity when there are no consistent parenting skills from one or both parents. Many families are completely fatherless and the mother is responsible for the entire job of providing and supporting the children. It is essential to raise emotionally and psychologically healthy children. Parents must provide them with unconditional love, security, building their self-esteem, encouraging self-confidence and teaching them self-respect from an early age. Children need positive encouragement, telling them that they are loved, wanted and that they can achieve their dreams. By raising children with all this in mind, we also teach them to solve life's problems. Healthy child development at an early age is the necessary foundation for children to learn to become independent and honest young adults for the future. American parents must discipline their children by explaining why their behavior is inappropriate. Healthy parenting means taking away privileges or giving a child a “time out” when something is wrong. Once again, parents are the most critical part of a child's life. They are the ones who have the power to decide how to raise a child. What schools their children will attend, the community they will live in, who their friends will be, and what they will be able to do in their free time. A parent's goal is to raise honest, compassionate, hard-working children. Currently, in our society, we have seen the increase of "latchkey children" coming home to empty homes as both parents must work to make ends meet and support a certain lifestyle of living. Placing a three-month-old baby in daycare is no longer abnormal. In many cases, the norm is for children to attend daycare or after-school programs. Today, more and more families do not eat dinner together as a family unit. In many cases children are left behind?”