During the play we see Jack listening to the news intently for information about the war in Europe. This habit may be seen today as a father of a family may listen to the news for information about what is going on in Europe to day. They both want to know whether or not their sons will have to be sent to war soon. They begin to worry about their children and their family's well-being as enemy countries become more and more aggressive, such as the nuclear bomb development in North Korea can be compared to the invasions of Germany.

Throughout the play we see two families living in the same household; though, blood related, they are different families. As one may find in many extended families today if one is unable to take care of themselves the family that is better off will take them in and care for them. We see this in this play as Blanche and her two girls move in with Jack, his wife, and his two boys. These two families collide many times throughout the play such as the time Eugene starts ranting about how Laurie always gets special treatment due to her heart and Nora not agreeing with her mother.

“Kate: To me good friends are strangers. But sisters are sisters.” (Simon 118) Even though families may fight within themselves they will always protect each other as shown on page 118 when Blanche plans on leaving to look for a job, Kate stops her and tells her that she can live across the street so they can help each other but not get in each others' way. This is also true with many families today, when some children move out, they may move into a house down the street so they can have a place to themselves, yet they can still visit their parents so they do not feel alone.

“Jack: They got out. That's all that's important.” (Simon 130) This quote shows that no matter how desperate a family may be they will always be willing to help their relatives in need. Jack said this when he found out that his relatives made it out of Germany safely and were coming to America. You can see this determination in many modern families today too. If their relatives are in need the family will make room for them and take care of them until they can get on their feet. Whether it be in the past or the present, a family will always take care of its relatives.