Family Ideal Picket American Fence White Piece House

What's the "ideal" (best; what one wants to have) American family? In the past, many people would answer that question by talking about a "middle-class" (average, not rich or poor) house with a "white picket fence." This was symbolic of the ideal American family lifestyle, and although it isn't necessarily still the ideal today, the "symbolism" (what an image or picture means) is still strong.

A "picket fence" is a type of fence made from many vertical "boards" (flat pieces of wood) that are separated by a small distance, connected with one horizontal piece of wood at the top and one horizontal piece of wood at the bottom. Each vertical piece points upward, ending with an arrow-like point. Picket fences are normally used in "residential" (housing) areas, sometimes around gardens or yards. Traditionally, they are painted white.

A middle-class house with a white picket fence is usually thought of as being in the "suburbs" (a residential area outside of the city, but not in a rural area). The ideal home with a white picket fence is large and painted white, and has a big yard with a green "well-manicured" (cut and well maintained) "lawn" (grassy area) where the kids can "run around" (play with a lot of movement). The old ideal American family also had two well-behaved kids, preferably one boy and one girl, and a dog.

Old television shows like Leave It to Beaver "portrayed" (showed) this ideal American family and home. More modern television shows are more likely to focus on "dysfunctional" (not working property) American families.