In 1948, sociologist John Sirjamaki asserted that Americans now identify with "the values of the individual, not the family, and the family for it."

In 1948, sociologist John Sirjamaki asserted that Americans now subscribe to "the values of the individual, not the family, and that the family exists for its members, not for the sake of the family." He also pointed to two other characteristics of "modern" marriage: the crucial importance of satisfactory sexual relations, and the significant progress women have made in legal equality.