when did the modern era in parenting begin
History of childhood
Much of contemporary western perceptions of children and childhood still stems from the idea of the `` Nuclear family '' , which gained significance in the 1950s . In western culture and society it is important for children to be socialized into acceptable adults , and this means passing on social values that cater to a national narrative . One of the main ways that children are socialized is by gender . Children are expected to behave in particular ways and hold particular values based on their gender - male or female . Gender is assigned at birth based on sex , which is determined by genitalia . And with that , children are expected to take on gender roles in society , and the associated characteristics based on this determined sex . Today the gender roles are divided into two spaces , referred to as the ' separation of spheres ' ; the reproductive sphere is reserved for women and the productive sphere is reserved for men : This began in the 1950s with the rise and normalizing of the ' nuclear family ' . Kimmel and Hollar ( 2011 ) claim that `` family life was wrenched apart from the world of work ... men ( 's ) work shifted from home to farm to mill and factory , shop and office ... ( which ) became ... paid labour ... gradually ( becoming ) industrialized and eliminated as such tasks ... shifted to the external world ... libererat ( ing ) men to exit their homes and leave the rearing of their sons and daughters to their wives '' ( p. 144 ) . While family life has changed today the expectations of men and women , and thus boys and girls , remains and mimics that of the idealized nuclear family . And so girls are still socialized by society to enter the private sphere of home and family , while boys are still socialized to enter the public sphere of work .
Much of contemporary western perceptions of children and childhood still stems from the idea of the `` Nuclear family '' , which gained significance in the 1950s . In western culture and society it is important for children to be socialized into acceptable adults , and this means passing on social values that cater to a national narrative . One of the main ways that children are socialized is by gender . Children are expected to behave in particular ways and hold particular values based on their gender - male or female . Gender is assigned at birth based on sex , which is determined by genitalia . And with that , children are expected to take on gender roles in society , and the associated characteristics based on this determined sex . Today the gender roles are divided into two spaces , referred to as the ' separation of spheres ' ; the reproductive sphere is reserved for women and the productive sphere is reserved for men : This began in the 1950s with the rise and normalizing of the ' nuclear family ' . Kimmel and Hollar ( 2011 ) claim that `` family life was wrenched apart from the world of work ... men ( 's ) work shifted from home to farm to mill and factory , shop and office ... ( which ) became ... paid labour ... gradually ( becoming ) industrialized and eliminated as such tasks ... shifted to the external world ... libererat ( ing ) men to exit their homes and leave the rearing of their sons and daughters to their wives '' ( p. 144 ) . While family life has changed today the expectations of men and women , and thus boys and girls , remains and mimics that of the idealized nuclear family . And so girls are still socialized by society to enter the private sphere of home and family , while boys are still socialized to enter the public sphere of work .