Nuclear Family In Modern Society - Essay Example

Diverse Families In Society And Their Advantages There are different families set up that exist in the society. Each family set up has its own identity and components. In a nuclear family, there is father, mother and their children. The central interest of nuclear family is based on the married couple and a number of children that is not limited. It may include all the biological children although sometimes stepchildren and adopted children are considered part of the nuclear family. Consequently, an extended family is much bigger than a nuclear family since it consists of a nuclear family plus other relatives. Additionally, it can be said to be grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins that may be living together under one roof or lives in different places. It may also include several generation of related people living together. This term may change from one place to another. Each family plays a certain role in the society (Andersen and Taylor 391-397). This paper seeks to discuss the negatives of a nuclear family versus the positives of extended families. In a nuclear family emotional attachments between the members is minimal. Moreover, this type of family is not emotionally attached to their parents or relatives. This kind of family is likely to go through various forms of sorrows and mental stress leading to depression, as there is no one to share with the problem. This generally may happen where both the parent are working and different times of the day a situation that may not give them free time together. However, in a joint or extended family, members live within reach with parents and other close relatives. There is high likelihood of members sharing time together. Consequently, any problem that arises in such a family set up is more likely to be shared and solved. The probability of having mental problem of stress is reduced significantly. Additionally, in such a family there is feeling of belonging. Due to the limited number of individuals in a nuclear family, there is hardly enough material, emotional, or intellectual support when issues arise as opposed to an extended family where more family members mean more support. A problem that cannot be solved by anyone of these people become a challenge and is more likely to bring discomfort in such a family. It is undeniable that an extended family is far much better since the increased number of family members means that any type of support is likely to be available when issues arise. For instance, members of an extended family are much more likely to raise capital for investment when the family decides to start a business. A nuclear family would have to go to the bank for financial support in case of an investment. In a nuclear family, the kind of relationship that exists is solitary in nature. This form of life makes it possible especially to the children to fail to recognize the outside world. Children are not aware of any other surrounding apart from the confines of their homes. This type of family becomes detached from the rest of the world. Most of these children know only about their immediate family. They are less likely to recognize other members of their extended family especially their cousins. If such a family is separated for a long time, there is likelihood of the extended family members intermarrying or having intimate relation un-aware of linkage that exist. This problem is less likely to occur in a joint family set up. This is because each family member gets to interact with the rest and know each other as blood members. In a nuclear family where both husband and wife are, working there is a lot of problem in bringing up and taking care of younger children. They have to leave their child in baby-sitting or impersonal day care facilities that take care of small child. This happens without them knowing how their kids are taken care of and this might turn out to be detrimental in future. In an extended family, baby-sitting is not an issue. Young kids learn to share and get love and attention from their grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles and working mothers in such a family set up gets to work being confident that their child are given proper day- care. In addition, old parents have an opportunity to be taken care of. In a nuclear family there is giving of advice by the parent to the children. Additionally, spouse can offer advice to each other. However, this form of advice is not adequate in such a family set up. Outside advice is important, as the members in a nuclear may not have all the information needed for a particular problem or situation. This problem is solved in an extended family as helpful advice is within reach, as members are close together. In an extended family, children have an opportunity to get an extra advice from their uncles, aunts, grandparents and cousins, which are essential in modeling them to be good morally in future. Such kids are also more likely to be obedient as they serve different people in such a family. Moreover, in a nuclear family there is likelihood of going through various challenges. Most of these challenges are financial in nature. If a spouse is not able to provide for their children, they are more likely to feel insecure. However, in an extended family, such a problem of financial insecurity is more likely to be shared between the members of the extended family and hence children grow up feeling secure and with all the necessities. In such a family, there is more love and affection and any member in such a family feel secure. In conclusion, the success of a family whether nuclear or extended depends on respect, self-sacrifice and control between individuals involved. In addition, nuclear family provides independence, freedom and there is no opportunity for compromise. However, the benefits of an extended family far outweigh those of a nuclear family. In a joint family, there is great emotional support, social interaction, financial support and a guarantee of various form of social security. Additionally, there is guarantee of proper baby care in working parents, proper advice is given, younger kid gains immensely from grown adults. Such an extended family is essential to individual and to the society. All these underlying factors are not available in a nuclear family hence a poor form of family setup. A nuclear family need improvement to enjoy the benefits enjoyed in an extended family. Works Cited Andersen, Margaret and Taylor, Francis. “Sociology: Understanding a Diverse Society.” London: Cengage Learning, 2007. Print Read More