Families of the New Millennium - Term Paper Example

Abstract Family is an important and commonly known concept due to the fact that every individual experienced having a family at one point in life. The paper is aimed to focus on the family on the basis of two perspectives namely being a social institution and an ideology. Specifically, the concept that family is a thriving concept in both perspectives is the main topic of discussion. Through the course of the paper then, both perspectives will be explored. The Family is Thriving, Both as Institution and Ideology The concept of the family is one of the most basic concepts in the society, thus the study that focus on the family needs no further introduction. Family can be formally defined on the basis of two aspects namely as a social institution and as an ideology. The paper is aimed to discuss the two aspects of the family. In addition the, different theoretical bases in the study of sociology, the functionalist approach and the feminist perspective will be used to understand the different concepts within the family. Background of the Study In the study of the family, the common and universal knowledge that every individual in the society possesses is related to the function of the family as a social institution. Through the course of history until the present era though, the concept of the family is continuously developing and changing. The Functionalist Approach During the early part of the 20th century, specifically the 50’s and 60’s, the concept of the family had been defined through the functionalist approach proposed by Talcott Parsons. The said theoretical perspective is mainly based on the different functions of the family as a whole as well as the role of the different members for the family. The functionalist approach can then be considered as a structured definition of the concept of the family. He defined the different functions of the family in the society such as the development of the children in terms of socialization and the stabilization of the adult personality. Parsons’ view specifically presented the family as an independent unit. The father as the one who defined the occupational role in the family and the stratification of the family based on gender were included in the said theoretical perspective (Unit B Introduction, p.58). The functionalist approach can be considered as a classical view on the concept of the family. This can be attributed to the fact that during the said era the family was more structured and there was strict cultural norms related to the roles within the family and in the society. The Feminist Perspective As the needs of the people and the society changes, the theoretical perspective regarding the family also develops. In the 80’s then, the rise of the feminism also affected the concept of the family. The feminist approach can be considered as a sensitive view due to the related issues in the society but there are common points in the different theories under the said perspective. The first point of definition is related to the oppression of the female members of the society, specifically the women in the family. The second point then is related to the elimination of the oppression (Unit B Introduction, p.64). The feminist view of the family then is included in the different social issues which are related to the role and function of a woman in the social and political aspects of the social system. Compared to the functionalist perspective which can be considered as highly structured, the feminist view is composed of a numerous number of views. In sociology then, the feminist view is used to define the concept of the family in a manner that prevents generalization or over-specification. In a common and balanced intersection of the different theories contributing to feminism, a useful definition of the concept of the family can be achieved (Unit B Introduction, p.64-65). Objectives of the Paper Upon the determination of the different perspectives which will be used as the tools in the study of the concept of the family, the presentation of the specific objectives of the paper is the subsequent stage. The paper is focused on the presentation of the family, which is thriving in two aspects, being a social institution and an ideology. The initial phase then will define the family as a social institution. In relation, the different changes and challenges in the concept is also included in the said topic. As an ideology, the concept of the family will also be defined and the different perspectives related to the said ideology. Upon the definition of the said aspects of the family, the main reasons for the concept that the family is thriving in both aspects will be discussed. The Family as a Social Institution The knowledge of the concept of the family is a common experience for every individual due to the chance of being in a family in any point in an individual’s lifetime (Unit B Introduction, p.47). Based on the said definition then, a person’s knowledge and concept about the family is mainly based on the first hand experiences of being a family. In the continuously changing society then, the definition of the concept of the family is dependent on numerous factors, one of which is time. The Evolution of the Concept of the Family In the 70’s and 80’s, there are observed changes in the family. Based on studies undertaken during in the said era, the traditional definition of a family was becoming obsolete. Included in the said trends were “less marriage, more de facto relationships, more divorce and more children born outside marriage.” During that time, sociologist viewed the disintegration of the concept of the family (Gilding, 2002, p.1). In the 90’s, the sociologists achieved a more understanding and open-minded view on the changes that the family was having. This is based on the fact that the changes were not limited in the basic unit of the society, but in the society as a whole. These changes were then considered to occur in waves that were massive and hard to control. The waves of changes in the society are not only affecting the public but even the dynamics within the family. There are different phenomena presented under such catalysts of change in the society and in the concept of the family. One of the said factors that affected and is continuously affecting the family is the technological revolution (Gilding, 2002, p.1). According to Manuel Castells, a Spanish-born sociologist, the technological revolution is influencing the foundations of the society and resulting in different disintegrating effects in the family. One of the effects of technological revolution is the “crisis of the patriarchal family” which is considered as the traditional definition of the family (Gilding, 2002, p.2). Due to the changes in the society brought about by the development of different technologies, even the definition and the role of the family is changing. In addition, the role of the family being the place for cultural reproduction is being replaced by other organized relationships in the society, for example the different cliques and subcultures. Castells also focused on the redefinition of the different concepts within the family such as the relationships between the members on the basis of gender, personality and sexuality (p.2). Another view regarding the different social institutions including the family which also shed light to the changes undertaking the concept was presented by Anthony Giddens. According to him, although the different social institutions hold the same name, most of these were what he referred to as “shell institutions” since the interactions and inner structures had already been modified on the basis of the different influential phenomena as the communication revolution, new knowledge economy and globalization (Gilding, 2002, p.2). For example, the family can still be defined on the basis of the composition of the parents and the children, as well as the roles that each member possess but the concept now includes other cases that had been developed due to the changes in the society. Due to the cases of divorce, a parent and a child can be a family. Due to the acceptance of same sex marriage, couples of the same sex can be called a family. They are also allowed to adopt children, thus, completing the sphere with roles of parents and children. These changes in the family based on gender and sexuality had already been accepted. Thus, the concept of the family is continuously evolving. In the continuously modernizing definition of the concept of family, traditional sociologists had expressed their concern. Francis Fukuyama referred to the Information Age as the “Great Disruption” due to the changes that the era had brought about to even the strongest institutions in the society, such as the family. Different inventions had changed the family. Fukuyama presented important examples that undermine the traits and traditions supposed to be learned in the family. Due to the invention of the information technology (e.g. the World Wide Web), there is an increase of jobs that only require mental prowess, thus, the traditional teachings of the family regarding labor and hard work do not apply anymore (Gilding, 2002, p.2). The issues presented by these social scientists are the main bases of the discussion of the issues that tests the strength of the concept of the family through the massive changes occurring in the society. Family as an Ideology The ideology of the concept of the family can be defined as the conservative definition of the family which can be defined on the basis of different perspectives. The functionalist view is one of the main perspectives that define the ideology of the family. The ideology of the family then can be considered as the traditional view of the family being the cultural, social and in most cases genetic root of every individual in the society. It is the extension of what people are as an individual synergistically working as one (Skolnick, 1978). In a wider perspective, family as the basic social unit is also incorporated in the ideology of a family. In a more specified and targeted view, the ideology is that the family is the main source of cultural, behavioral and social influences of an individual. This can be considered as a simplistic and idealistic view in a highly complex society because in this perspective problems in the society can be resolved by tapping on the family unit. The Discussion of the Family In the study undertaken there are queries needed to be faced, the most important of which is the thesis of the paper which is focused on the family as a thriving unit of the society. There are evidences on the thriving characteristic of the family in the discussion presented by Gilding (2002). Through the past 100 years the concept of the family and the factors revolving around it had drastically changed. Terms which used to be non-existed or non-related to the family gradually took defining roles in the study of the family. These includes controversial terms such as designer babies, cyber sex and virtual communities (Gilding, 2002, p.4-11). One of the main defining features of the family is the site of reproduction, not only in the biological but also in the cultural and social aspect. But in the last decades birth control and sterilization became both a trend and a requirement. In the 50’s birth control had been compulsory in countries such as the U.S. On the other hand, mass sterilization had been imposed by the Nazi. The said procedures were referred to as eugenics which was originally aimed to eliminate diseases affecting specific population. Due to the result, eugenics had been halted for a certain period of time. Because of the onset of technological age which ushered genetic engineering, birth control became a choice and other procedures that define designer babies came about. This concept redefined the older concept of the family as the root, mold and training ground of human civilization. In the advent of new technologies, the future of the family on the basis of the aspect of reproduction can be defined by probabilities of engineering and choosing physical appearance, performance and skills, and behavior, through the genes (Gilding, 2002, p.4-6). The family is also the site for the most intimate interaction of individuals with common goals and blood ties. The dynamics in the society, though, forced the detachment of sexuality from marriage. As a result, de factor relationships, ex-nuptial births and homosexuality became common. This is referred to as plastic sexuality wherein reproduction is not the main aim but the satisfaction of sexuality. The ultimate indication of plastic sexuality is cyber relationships and cyber sex, the second unprecedented concept what emerged within the last 50 years. It had been defined as an interaction without the limit of geographical distance, embodiment and inhibitions. In addition, the main connection is the similarity in interest magnified by the elements of “fantasy, deception, and experimentation” (Gilding, 2002, p.6-8). The third definition of the family that had been tested through the emergence of changes in the society is the participation of the family in the local community. In the early part of the 20th century, the issue is related to living quarters of the working class and the poor, which served as their local community. In the present era, due to the presence of virtual connections and the internet, the personal community of an individual had expanded regardless of the distance. This phenomenon cancels out the local communities. People became more at ease communicating through the virtual communities rather than their local and immediate social sector (Gilding, 2002, p.8-9). Based on these views then, the initial reaction is that family is futile and functionless. But amazingly this is not the case. Family is still thriving in a more open and modern manner. One lesson that people should learn in the highly digital and technologically-advanced society is to have an open mind. In the case of the family, these three defining terms did not limit the meaning of family. The definition in fact broadened to be able to adapt to the changes in the society. Family is still the root of cultural, social and biological components of an individual. The changes occurred in the definition of the family. Due to the redefinition of relationships, marriage and family, broader and more diverse variations in the roles and components of the family now occur. Same sex marriage, genetic engineering, cyber relationships and virtual communities changed the meaning of a family. In the new millennium, family can be defined as a group of individuals with close interpersonal relationship that transcends social stratification on the basis of gender, types of relationship, blood ties and limitations such as distance. Conclusion Based on the data and discussion regarding the concept of the family, it can be considered as a thriving social unit and ideology. Although the appearance and components of the family had changed, it is still the most influential unit of the society that can contribute to the social and cultural well-being of an individual. As an ideology then, the family based on the classical definition had just been transformed into a unit more adapted to the needs of the present era. References Gilding, M. (2002). Designer Babies, Cyber Sex and Virtual Communities: Families of the New Millennium, AIFS [online]. Reading B1. Available at Skolnick, A. (1978). Ideal and Reality in Family and Society. The Intimate Environment: Exploring Marriage and the Family. Boston: Little, Brown & Co. Unit B Introduction. 2062 Hum Reading on International Change and Social World II. Read More