In the long run, reluctant traditionalism held unforeseen consequences for parents and their children. Though few doubted their parents tried to do the right thing, they witnessed the ways good intentions can backfire when they conflict with more deeply felt but unacknowledged wishes. When mothers were pushed or pulled away from the workplace despite their desires, and fathers were pressured to work too much, the result could be declining parental morale, rising domestic strains, and eroding family cohesion.
