Traditional Family and Marriage in Post Modern Society - Essay Example

? “Traditional Family and Marriage In Post Modern Society” In a postmodern society such as Britain, are traditional family and marriage necessary? Introduction The expression ‘Post’ refers to an after state which has suppressed the previous conditions, behaviors or attitudes i.e. an old thing has turned in a new one after going through significant and prolonged changes. Similarly the postmodern society refers to a stimulating and thrilling era in which there is no space for previous ways of living. This era has introduced entirely novel understanding and practices along with different ways of expression through art and literature (Steven Best and Douglas Kellner, 1997). The postmodern society such as Britain has abandoned and demolished many old customs and traditions of olden times for instance, in Britain women was not supposed to work, there people used to follow a stable and years old family system comprising of parents, children and at times grandparents as well. But as the time passed things greatly changed the prevailing industrial era was surpassed by a postmodern era in which communications and knowledge changed the standards of the society by giving way to technological development and establishing greater sense of independence. However all these developments leaded to the destruction of traditional family system in which marriage was an essential element of building secure status in the society and was considered a respectable act. Methodology: Mainly the secondary sources are utilized in this research paper. Key terms: Post modern society, Traditional family and Marriage. Background Before going into greater details of discussion it is better to have a clear understanding of the term ‘family’. Some sociologist considers it as a setup in which married couple lives with their children. It can also be referred to a single parent living with children or a whole group comprising of different families (parents and children) living together such as that in the eastern countries which may also be termed as extended family systems (Dallal Stevens, 2007). This family system is has been greatly challenged by the post modernization and it is superseded by the new norms of the society in which family does not play a major role. Yet there are few schools of thought which consider it a necessary element of the society. Discussion and Arguments The functionalist approach is based on the principles of the traditional family and it supports the concept of marriage to a major extent as it says that a family is a social institution which fulfills the sexual needs of genders and helps them to reproduce within the limits of the societal norms. It provides the members of the society with the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing. Children grow in the supervision of their parents and hence they possess greater reflection of morals and values which ultimately makes them a better human being and citizen. Family provides the best friendship, affection and most importantly protection to the members of the society. Therefore it is consider a biggest consumption component of the society (Victor James Callan, Patricia Noller, 1987). The functionalist refers to the idea that the maintenance of stable social structure can only be achieved by proper family setup through which all the basic human needs are fulfilled within the legal and moral limits (Jon Bernardes, 2002). On the other hand Politicians have always shown a greater concern about the family matters whether it is a traditional family setup or the post modern. They are interested about things like who marries whom? When the marriage has taken place, the documental and legal perspectives of marriage, issues related to property, etc. (Marvin B. Sussman, et.al, 1999) Previously the same gender marriages were unacceptable by the Politicians and governmental laws however the post modern society does not only recognizes the gay marriages but also gives it legal protection. The new right has greatly influenced the traditional family system by its support. According to it the government has actually increased the financial burden on an individual by cutting him off his family. This has induced a feeling of selfishness among the people who are more interested in fulfilling their own needs rather than contributing to their family. As a result a common individual bears more tax burden as compared to that which was previously paid by a group of people. It criticizes upon the governmental laws which have broken the family institution and has distributed its duties among other institutions of the society such as Schools and Day Care Centers (Mark Walsh, et.al, 2000). In the pre modern era family members were used to be responsible for each others’ needs and wants but as the modern and post modern era started this concept of responsibility completely alter its meanings. The mothers in particular are now giving more time to their careers while spending less or no time with their children and husband (Jon M. Shepard, 2005). This is somehow affecting the overall setup of the society. It has increased the level of individualism among the masses. In this regard individualization thesis states that the prevailing norms in the European and other countries have freed the individuals from the responsibilities and obligations of a family. People are now maintaining more personal relationships than the family relations which is basically done through making own choices of either living with a person or not. Family which was the basic institution of fulfilling human needs and desires is now substituted by optional kinship (Jane Ribbens McCarthy, Rosalind Edwards, 2010). The feminist perspectives in the post modern era argue about the material status, interests and political supremacies. The feminist debate is now working to bring wakefulness about the different forms of family, practices that can be performed under its title and the different identities or statuses that it gives to the individuals living in a family system (Alison Diduck, Katherine O'Donovan, 2007). Despite of all the positivity and goodness attached to the family setup still there are some arguing points which explain that traditional family is not always an ideal situation neither it is always very much close to the reality. The two major elements that describe the bitter side of the family setup are domestic violence and abuse. Both of them have a greater contribution in the poor development of children in physical and psychological terms. Various cases have shown that a child who has been a victim of battering in childhood which is a type of domestic violence leads to psychological disorders and personality issues. These children usually show high regard for power (Albert R. Roberts, 2002). Physical, psychological or sexual abuse is another astringent element of family system which leads to alcohol and drugs addiction. Substance abuse is observed in families in which parents are facing marital issues or difficulties and are unable to sort out the solutions (Marc Galanter, M.D., Herbert D. Kleber, 2011). The children perspective on the issue of family system and marriage reveals that the there are three key elements of a family which are closely interrelated with each other. These are the functions of couple for one another which directly affects parent child relationship and child’s individual behavior. This clearly emphasizes the importance of a family system which is a key source of influencing the personalities and behaviors of children who are in one way or the other getting affected by the marital issues of their parents (John H. Harvey, Amy Wenzel, 2002). Here one more thing should be kept under consideration that children from broken families are more critical to deal with especially in the case where one of the parents banned the child’s meeting with the other parent. As a result the child develops a sense of insecurity and performs poorly in making future relations which ultimately affects his or her whole life (Eva L. Essa, 2010). Conclusion Post modernism has removed the beliefs and values which were remained even after the modernized era as it is more inclined towards aesthetic amplification, embellishment and completeness (Marvin B. Sussman, 1999). Families are a substantial source of sustenance and belongingness which is essentially required by an individual in order to excel in the walks of life (Karen Struening, 2002). The post modern society has proved to be beneficial in advancing creativity and intellectual level of humans (Caroline Koh, 2006). However this cannot neglect the importance of family system. The overall study indicates that even in the post modern society, a stable and strong family system based on parent child relationship is compulsory. One of the major roles performed by the humans is of reproduction which is important to make this specie alive on the earth. Children are the most important members of the family institution who require proper attention, care and affection in order to be successful and responsible citizens of the society. This task is solely performed by the parents in family system. If this system breaks down or looses it importance than the overall setup of the society get affected. Maintaining individual life may be helpful in a particular situation or for a short span of time but in the long run every human being requires support and belongingness which cannot be provided in a better way other than ones’ own family. It would be better to select the positive points of both post modern society as well as family system in order to maintain good society with improved values and morals. In this regard functionalist theory can be used as it supports the family system with minor amendments. References Albert R. Roberts, 2002. Handbook of Domestic Violence Intervention Strategies, Policies, Programs and Legal Remedies: Theories of Battering. Oxford University Press, New York. Alison Diduck, Katherine O'Donovan, 2007. Feminist Perspectives on Family Law: Feminism and Families. Taylor and Francis e-Library. Caroline Koh, 2006. Reviewing the Link between Creativity and Madness: A Post Modern Perspective. National Institute of Education, Singapore. Dallal Stevens, 2007. Family Life and The Law: under one roof: The Asylum-Seeking Family. Ashgate Publishing Limited, England. Eva L. Essa, 2010. Introduction to Early Childhood Education: The Families. Wadsworth Cengage Learning, USA. John H. Harvey, Amy Wenzel, 2002. A Clinician’s Guide to Maintaining and Enhancing Close Relationships. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. New Jersey, 07430. Jon Bernardes, 2002. Family Studies: an introduction: Functionalism. Taylor and Francis e-Library. Jon M. Shepard, 2005. Sociology: Social Institution: Family. Wadsworth, Thomson Learning, Inc. United States of America. Jane Ribbens McCarthy, Rosalind Edwards, 2011. Key Concepts in family Studies: Summary. Sage Publication Ltd, London ECIY ISP. Karen Struening, 2002. New family Values: Liberty, Equality and Diversity: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc. England. Marc Galanter, M.D., Herbert D. Kleber, 2011. Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Substance Abuse: Family Systems Therapy. 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