Themes and Threads of Family Theories: A Brief History

This paper provides the historical context for the ideas and issues that have been central to family theories for the past several decades. We begin with patriarchy and modernization (especially the removal of productive work from the home) in the 19(th) century. These theoretical variables are followed by functionalism and evolutionism in the mid-20(th) century, and then technology, globalism, and the demographic transition at the end of the 20(th) century. Post-modernism is introduced with the 21(st) century. Then, after these theoretical issues, we look briefly at families and their futures around the world.