Changes

During the past four decades, [[Family history|historians and historical demographers]] have argued that historical Northwest Europe and North America had a unique family system characterized by neolocal marriage and nuclear family structure. In other societies--such as Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa--powerful clans, senior patriarchs, and duties to and extended kinship networks were dominant factors in shaping extended families.

During the past four decades, [[Family history|historians and historical demographers]] have argued that historical Northwest Europe and North America had a unique family system characterized by neolocal marriage and nuclear family structure. In other societies--such as Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa--powerful clans, senior patriarchs, and duties to and extended kinship networks were dominant factors in shaping extended families.

For both nuclear and extended families, marriages were usually arranged by parents before the 19th century. Starting in the 19th century the nuclear family was increaingly based on romantic love, allowing young people to choose their mates with less parental control.  

For both nuclear and extended families, marriages were usually arranged by parents before the 19th century. Starting in the 19th century the nuclear family was increasingly based on romantic love, allowing young people to choose their mates with less parental control.  

==African American families==

==African American families==