What were the postive and negative impacts on American families during World War II?

The
obvious negative impact was that thousands of American families suffered the loss of a family
member during the war. There is, of course, no way to measure the impact of these losses on
families, but a sense of loss was pervasive in the United States during . Virtually everyone
either lost a father, husband, son, or brother, or knew someone who did. 

Additionally, many American families suffered financially as a result of the war,
primarily from lost income. The war also put a strain on both wives and their children, as they
were forced to take on additional roles in the absence of men. Families were forced to deal with
rations and shortages of items ranging from sugar to gasoline.

On the other
hand, the aftermath of the war created enormous opportunities for returning servicemen and their
families. Young men, including those with families, had the chance to receive an education or
job training through the GI Bill of Rights. Additionally, many young families could buy homes
with low interest government loans. For many people in war-related industries, the war also
represented a boom, as average wages almost doubled, even among lower-income
Americans.