According to Mead, the USA is a PRECONVENTIONAL culture, where survival and success rely on technology much rather than industrial or agricultural resources. The nuclear family is no longer the norm and children DO NOT model themselves after their parents, but rather their peers.
Mead believed that a "tolerant family system", in which Mom and Dad could disagree without quarrel and a child could challenge without loss of love, self-respect, or increase in emotional tentions, fosters a "wholesome individual".
Benedict
and Le Francois point out that the abrupt, confusing, and
unclear transition from child to adult in American culture causes
adolescents stress.
However, depending on the beliefs in individual American subcultures
(e.g., ethnic and religious), single-parenting and divorce is much
more accepted than previous generations; thus, negative feelings from
society has lessened and there may even be support, in the form of other
parents/relatives, support groups, and school/religious group assistance,
for the single-parent situation. Today, community reaction could
very well be supportive, considering the family's circumstances.
If social/community reaction is supportive, then additional stress to adolescent will be minimized.
Since parents are not the models for American adolescents, kids will
less likely internalize any negative patterns of parental behavior during
strife.
If transition (2 parents --> 1 parent) and explanation of the causation
and terms (i.e. custody) of separation/divorce are understood and handled
poorly, further stress will result.
- eliminate harmful influences: negative peer group, substance/alcohol abuse
- surround the family with a supportive atmosphere.
