At Odds: Women and the Family in America from the Revolution to the Present

by Carl N. Degler

Pulitzer prizewinner Carl Degler has written the first general history of women in America for our generation. The book brings into historical perspective one climactic How is woman's right to equality of opportunity going to be reconciled with the demands of the family? The modern family, Degler writes, has been shaped by women's search for greater autonomy within the family. "At Odds" shows how that evolution took place, beginning in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.

Genres: History, Sexuality

544 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Starbubbles · Rating 3 out of 5]

it actually tries to connect family trends with the major american history events. novel idea, still not matched by most family historians. due to the nature of this book, it's filled with facts, figures, and an onslaught of dates (not always in order). slightly difficult to navigate through chronologically (which is also how most family historians approach discussing the american family). reads a little like a sociology book (but not really, and those who have read sociologly books know what i mean), which is understandable since a good portion of the matter comes from sociology studies.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very educational, wonderful history of Women's roles within the family, but I felt like it took a very looooong time to say what it had to say, and I didn't always appreciate the leftist feminine tone (especially the ending conclusion which seemed to suggest that families get in the way of women finding self-realization).

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very dry and boring. Don't read it unless forced.