The Madness Of The American Family Analysis

In the essay, The Madness of the American Family by Midge Decter, many interesting points were brought up concerning how Americans, who are so fortunate, have gotten themselves into such a predicament as to debate what ‘family’ means. Decter's main claim is that by marrying and raising a family in the traditional way, we will fulfill the destinies intended for us, which will give our lives full meaning. She explains that we can't fool Mother Nature and if we try to, we will end up with all sorts of problems. If we live solely for ourselves and not be part of a traditional family unit, then again problems are created. Finally, she notes that we need to relearn the old lessons our forebears knew about time honored limits. Decter's claim is narrow, as well as some of her reasons she puts forth in establishing her claim. Plus, she …show more content…
Before the essays starts, an important fact is mentioned. The readers learn that she has a life outside of her deep family commitments. She is a writer, social critic. and a trustee of the Heritage Foundation, and these things are important to know as they added weight to her argument. Her character is seen as honorable because she is interested in the family unit, free enterprise, limited government, traditional American values, and a strong national defense, which are the same things most Americans are interested in too.
Decter's main claim about how life should be lived that only by marrying and being "part of the onrushing tide of generations" can our lives have full meaning is very limiting. This doesn't include the possibility that people may be very fulfilled living a single life. It also doesn't address other situations that create single life such as death of a spouse or divorce. After someone loses a spouse to death, they may not want to get married again, and the same goes for divorced people, especially if there is abuse present in the