Scientific studies on the family have been done since 1960, considerable amounts have been accumulated quantitatively and qualitatively. But, it is a pity that research results from many other disciplines were not classified systematically nor exchanged each other. This historical review includes results on the family studies in Americal and Korea, in the latter, 1191 literatures are analyzed into 7 major domains : marriage and family values, family relationships, family structure, family problems, family studies trend, sex-roles, etc. Based on this article, more desirable theory building in Korean families is required.