Nuclear family v. modern family

The 'nuclear' family is composed of a mother and father of the same race, was well as children whom take typical gender roles. The father is the bread winner of the family. He works a 9 to 5 and responsible for paying the bills and that is basically the extent of his role. On the other hand, the mother is the caretaker of the family responsible for caring for the home and children. The mother is expected to have dinner on the table when the father returns home, as well as the dishes done etc. The nuclear family is composed of biological children, typically 2, who are well mannered and caring. The family is single income and generally the father is the disciplinarian. 

The modern family is much harder to tie down. Families could be composed of a mother and father, but also 2 mothers or 2 fathers or neither. The head of the house could be an aunt or uncle or grandfather. The children can be adopted or biological or a combination of both. The family could be interracial and interfaith. The mother and father's role is not as defined. Many families are duel income as well as single income, and unfortunately others are without income. The father is still somewhat viewed as the bread winner, but there is much more wiggle room. The mother can work, raise the kids, or most commonly, a combination of both. The idea of the idealized children is much lesser nowadays. Children are more free to express themselves in a way of their choosing. Often times, the mother and father, if that is the case, both take disciplinary roles. The modern family is mish mosh of possibilities. 

In comparison, the lack of similarity is obvious. Today's modern family has no blueprint or template, while the 'nuclear family' is based off a very specific and stringent qualifications. There is not much wiggle room in the 'nuclear family', roles are assigned and expected to be kept. The modern family is all over the place. The head of the household could be either parent, if there are even two. There really are no specific roles assigned, but happenstance decides what roles are taken and can change over time.The roles are not based off gender, but other factors. The family has evolved immensely over time. 

As mentioned above, it is still somewhat assumed that the father is supposed to be the bread winner in the family and the mother the caretaker although not nearly to the degree it was in the past. Furthermore, their is still a macho factor in leaving the house everyday and heading to the office as opposed to taking care of the kids. This makes it incredibly difficult for the father to transition roles after losing their job. Initially the father goes into a state of disappointment and slacks on his role, only natural with the helplessness feeling of financial instability. However, the father eventually takes on the caretaker role out of necessity as the wife assumes the bread winning role. In my opinion, it is less of gender roles in the family and more the macho factor which makes these situations difficult on fathers.