Social Institution of Family and Migration Problems - Essay Example

SOCIAL OF FAMILY AND MIGRATION PROBLEMS Cultural anthropology is the study of human culture and civilization, where the discipline aimsto estimate the patterns of human behavior, race, ethnicity and ethnography etc with reference to the attitude and activities of individuals. Anthropology is the science of groups of men, and their behavior and productions. (Kroeber, 1973: 3) Being the topic related to cultural anthropology, the main objective behind the present research paper includes the elaboration of the institution of family and its status within a social set up, with reference to the problems the families undergo in the absence of their immigrant members gone abroad to earn bread for themselves and their families. The paper refers to the case studies mentioned by Leo Chavez (1997: 121-140), in which the author has discussed the pathetic financial condition of the people of South America and the methodologies they adopt to escape financial miseries. In his work “Shadowed Lives”, Chavez has also pointed out the efforts and struggle made by these individuals in order to come out of their pecuniary embarrassments by migrating towards North America by hook or crook. He has indicated towards the illegal migrants living in the USA for financial purposes. He views that Mexicans have highest proportion of migration to San Diego and other states of the USA. Chavez is of the opinion that since man maintains strong and unconditional emotional ties with his family; he is always determined to work for the uplift of his family members. Since man cannot live far from his family for long, he also strives to bring his family in the same prosperous areas and states of the USA, where he has gone for job or labor. The rapid migration leads to cause social and cultural imbalances in the population statistics of the entire region on the one hand, and accelerates the level of struggle and miseries of the undocumented immigrants on the other. The illegal or undocumented population faces unabated problems in society, and has to bribe the security personnel for re-crossing the state boundaries to meet their family members. It has aptly been stated that family has been the most fundamental institution of every society and culture of the globe at large since ever, which is responsible for the fulfillment of man’s all basic needs and desires. Man is born and dies in family, and obtains food, clothes, shelter, protection and emotional support from this basic institution of society. The family is a social institution found in all societies that unites people in cooperative groups to care for one another. (Macionis, 2007: 470) Since individuals contain deep sense of attachment with family, they look to strive for the social, financial and moral uplift of their family. Chavez (1997), in the light of his research, narrates the very reality that since the young people have more energy level and vigor, they are comparatively more conscious to rescue their families from the awkward clutches of poverty and low life standard. Consequently, they get involved into illegal migration towards the affluent and prosperous states of the USA to earn something for their families, leaving the family members in a state of uncertainty regarding their safety, shelter and whereabouts as well. The families of the migrants have to undergo severe trials in their absence, and they have to make hard efforts to manage domestic chores on the one hand and other social, cultural and financial activities on the other. The most difficult task for women, in the absence of their husbands, is the nourishment and socialization of their children; they have to sacrifice all their comforts and rests to look after their young ones. Since mostly the male members migrate from their resident states and countries, their wives and children remain in perplexed emotional state. Their wives have great concerns lest their husbands indulge into immoral activities or dissipation while living abroad, and consequently forget the wives and children waiting for his return to home. (Chavez, 1997: 127) In addition, the migrated husbands also experience intense emotional collapse, as the children for whom they are living far from home and toiling from dawn to dusk, have no attachment with their fathers. It happens due to the very fact that they have learnt to lead their life without fathers and do not even recognize them on their visits to homes. It is therefore, it is highly disgusting for the head of family to feel that his children are not anxious to meet him on neither his return; nor they display any natural affection for their fathers. Hence, man takes all his labor as mere the wastage of time and energies. The author discloses that a large number of the undocumented immigrants have to perform very odd jobs in the USA due to their immigration status. Furthermore, these undocumented immigrants share low-leveled living places as they cannot afford better and apposite residences. It creates health and hygiene problems for them, and also turns the USA as sick nation. Other researches, relevant to the topic under study, also support the statistics mentioned by Chavez. About 6 million undocumented are working—representing about 5 percent of U.S. workers. This group is potentially eligible for temporary legal status under the Bush administrations plan. Virtually all undocumented men are in the labor force. Their labor-force participation rate (96 percent) exceeds that of men who are legal immigrants or who are U.S. citizens because undocumented men are younger and less likely to be disabled, retired, or in school. (Passel et al: quoted in urban.org) Not only this that the male stratum leaves home for the bright future of its family, but also the females and wives too migrate from their native lands to the places having bright job and work prospects. But they are far more concerned regarding the life, health and proper nourishment of their children. The young mothers feel to be grinded under the chariot wheels of separation and remoteness from family, as well as the unpleasant and unfavorable circumstances at job and work place. Consequently, they remain conscious to call the entire family as early as possible. Chavez (1997: 131) also submits the very reality that the employers vehemently discourage the employees’ demands for long leaves time and again to meet their families. Since these employees become their need, they offer to revise their salaries so that they could invite their families to them and can manage their expenditures by permanently residing with family in the area of their work place. The author vehemently declares that since the most imperative purpose of these undocumented immigrants includes supporting their families financially, they are least careful of their life standard and health matters. Chavez also throws light on the patterns of their life-style and explains that most of these immigrants either live alone or share residences with co-workers. The researches illustrated by the author show that over two fifth of the undocumented immigrants of San Diego belongs to the age group from 20 to 44 years of age, followed by Mexicans and Central America respectively. It affirms that immigration rate is the highest among the young stratum of society. Chavez further throws light upon the marriage prospects of the young men and women near their work place. The author is of the view that an overwhelming majority of the undocumented immigrants belongs to young generation, it emotionally involves in one another, and arranges get to gathers and parties at their residences. Being far away from home, they seek mental and sentimental relief in the person of one another and enter into the strong ties of friendships. These friendships and companionships sometimes ripe into love and marriages, and even being poor and having little resources, they do not hesitate in marrying each other. A survey the author conducted in 1986 suggests that many undocumented immigrants meet their future spouses in the United States. (Chavez, 1997: 125) The researches reveal that about one third of the undocumented Mexicans get married in San Diego. Similarly, one fifth of the Central Americans also get acquaintance with one another in the same state i.e. San Diego. The author submits that inter-marriages between the individuals belonging to different nations, states, civilizations, races and ethnic groups pave the way towards the formation of multiculturalism. Moreover, either by bringing the family from other parts of the globe to the USA, or by getting married in the country causes the creation of bi-national families. The senior members of such bi-national families have attachment with their native soil, while the young innocent undocumented immigrants consider the USA as their home town. It creates cultural conflict within family set up, as the senior members are eager to return to the native country, which is not acceptable for the young generation at any cost, which seeks its future n America. Hence, based upon his comprehensive, worthwhile and valuable research, the author has successfully pointed out the life-style, performances, family life and economic activities of the undocumented immigrants, which wide open the miserable and pathetic condition of the individuals belonging to poor and developing countries of the world, travel widely from long distances just to offer a financially secure life to their family members. REFERENCES: Chavez, Leo R. Shadowed Lives: Undocumented Immigrants in American Society (Case Studies in Cultural Anthropology 1997 119-142 Kroeber, A. L. Anthropology: Cultural Patterns & Processes HBJ Book New York Revised Edition 1973 3-9 Macionis, John J. Sociology Eleventh Edition Prentice Hall Inc. 2007 470-472 Passel, J. S., Capps, Randolph & Fix, Michaele Undocumented Immigrants: Facts & Figures (Retrieved from http://www.urban.org/publications/1000587.html) Read More