As a child, I remember seeing programs on one of the six channels we received on television. Sometimes it was animated, sometimes it appeared to be footage at some sort of inventors' convention, but the shows featured the 'Products Of The Future'. Most of the items were unrealistic, like robotic servants that would cook the meals and clean the house. Some of the products were actually believable. The theme of these more realistic products seemed to be miniaturization, automation and/or time minimization. The commentator promised that these innovations were going to forever change the lives of the American family. Little did we know that these products, that were supposed to change things for the better, would actually change things for the worse. Some of these technological advances are actually promoting the downfall of the American family. Though most of the advancements that have come about in the last thirty years have upsides and downsides, I feel that cell phones, microwaves, and the internet are three items that have a direct impact on the decline of the American family.

Cell phones enable us to contact nearly anyone at anytime, given that they also own one. Who th

Communication isn't the only element of the American family that is failing. The time we spend together is also on the decline. Years ago, preparing and sitting down to the evening meal was an everyday occurrence. This was considered the families 'Quality Time'. It was when parents and children discussed the good and bad portions of their day. They talked about the plans they have and any upcoming events. This was the point in every day when they worked together to prepare the evening meal and sat together to enjoy it. With the onset of the microwave oven, the hours of food preparation, where a parent gets to spend quality time with their child, is disappearing. Meals can now be cooked and ready to eat in minutes. The art of cooking which was passed from generation to generation is lost to the kids whose culinary skills consist of popping a frozen dinner into the 'mike', setting the timer and pushing start. The nutritional quality of these on-the-go meals which is printed on the box it came in is, ironically, about as good as the box it came in. The microwave oven, which is now a standard appliance in every kitchen, has empowered the American family to move at a faster pace than ever before. Meals are eaten on the run and sit-down dinners are a thing of the past.

ese days doesn't? Everywhere you look someone has one of those Star Trek-like communication devices stuck to their ear. For convenience, they definitely serve their purpose, but they also have negative effects on f

Some common words found in the essay are:
Communication Real, American Family, PC's Internet, Star Trek-like, Wide Web, american family, cell phones, , evening meal, parents children, internet access, microwave oven,
Approximate Word count = 1010
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)