The typical American family

American family

American families are small. In fact the populations of the USA have stopped growing. The typical family has a father, a mother and two children. Grandparents come to visit, but do not usually live with their children.

Most people get married between the ages of 20 and 23 but many marriages end in divorce. It means that the country has a large number of "incomplete families", one father or mother caring of one of their children.

The typical American family has a car, a

colour TV set, a washing machine, and a cat or a dog as well. They start the day at about 7 o’clock, have breakfast at 8 and are off to work by 8.30. More and more women go out to work as well as men.

The children have lunch at school at about 12.30, and come home at 4 in the afternoon. Their parents are usually home by 6 o’clock, and the family eats together at 6.30 or 7. In the evenings, father may go to the pub for a drink, or stay at home and watch TV with the others. Children go to bed early, at about 8 o’clock, two or three hours before their parents.

American food is a part of Italian, a part of British, a part of German, a part of Mexican, a part of Chinese…. Today Americans enjoy food from all over the world. May be the US is most famous for “fast foods” Most Americans now have a light breakfast instead of the traditional eggs, bacon, toast, orange juice and coffee. But on weekends there is more time, and a large late breakfast or early lunch is often eaten with family or friends.

The majority of Americans live in or near large cities, but small living-town is still widespread. A suburb (a small community near a big city) offers the advantages of safer, more intimate small-town life with the recreational and cultural activities of the big city nearby.

For the typical American family, home may be at different place every five or six years. Most moves relate to new job opportunities, but sometimes the American pioneering spirit and desire for adventure inspire the move.

About two-thirds of Americans live in their own apartments.

But many people rent their living quarters. Some high-rise apartments are very expensive and elegant, but many are built for moderate or even law-income families. Many apartment buildings are condominiums or cooperative apartments, which means that each family owns the unit it lives in.

More than 10 million Americans live in mobile homes, living quarters built on wheels. They can be moved, but are generally brought to a site that becomes more or less permanent. Then the wheels are removed and the home is attached to the ground. Because they cost less than conventional homes, mobile homes are especially popular with young couples and retired couples with a limited incomes.