Our Changing World - Report Example

Running Head: A changing world Name School May 19, 2011 Our Changing World The family is the unique and initial social institution an individual is enrolled in after birth. In this regard, it forms a critical ingredient in the overall success of an individual. It is at the family level that one learns of the societal expectations and responsibilities that he/she should undertake. All said, the duties in the family in many communities in the world were segmented to fit all members of the family thus male members of the family were responsible for the maintenance and sustainability of the family. For example, fathers were viewed as the overall heads of the family and were supposed to provide for their families through engaging themselves in employment opportunities within and without their home areas. On the other hand, women as mothers were supposed to carry out household chores and also look after their children and more so engage in farm work. However, modernity has over the years contributed to the change in parental roles that were practical in the early days. For example, in conventional times women in many traditional societies across the world were viewed as housewives carrying out basic household chores but modernity has ruled out that hegemonic ideology with many women assuming high profile leadership roles in the social, economic and political platforms. In light of this, it has primarily created an environment where both parents in the home setting work for certain cause namely; financial, material among others. Thesis Statement The paper provides an in-depth analysis of the causes and effects of both parents working in a family situation. To achieve this, it uses considerable credible literature to argue its case out. Moreover, to help in better understanding, the paper applies self explanatory examples to its arguments and also the use of simple, comprehensible language. In conclusion, the paper provides a mitigation to address the situation of both parents working. Causes of a changing world Financial aid Economic bottom-line has necessitated the working of both parents to cushion the family against financial hitches. For example, a man’s salary no matter how large can be insufficient to cater for all family bills in an ordinary family setting. In light of this, the world has gradually undergone a metamorphosis in that now women have been allowed to work to substantiate family income for prosperity. Furthermore, having both parents working helps boost the financial stability of the family in a way that alienates overdependence. This implies that a spouse can effectively help when his/her counterpart is unwell or at else loses his/her job unconditionally without notice. For example, in the event the company the man or woman works gets liquidated and results to downsizing its employees, the unaffected spouse thus serves to meet the financial obligations for the family. In this regard, families whereby both parents work experience better financial footing thus are unlikely to undergo financial stress. Moreover, having both parents working in a family setting isolates a family from financial hiccups that might arise during their day to day activities. They include medical expenses, school fees and house rent among others. In this regard, having both parents working helps in reduction of monetary burden on one individual. For example, in the event the father is unwell financially, the mother can chip in to avoid outside shame from the members of the family. In essence, instances of medical emergences are amicably solved where both parents are working. Career progression A situation whereby both parents are working is driven by the passion to put into practice their hard-earned careers. This implies that the parents concerned are both career individuals out to experiment their careers. In light of this, they are forced to work to earn experience from their professional careers. For example, it would be detrimental for a husband to command her wife to assume household chores yet she is a professional nurse. This would to career exploitation and mismanagement of funds. Funds used to pay studies geared towards the realization of the career, for instance, would have been channeled into other avenues instead of spending considerable amount of time in school then wasting prospective career chances in life. However, both parents working is detrimental in the child rearing process as the parents lack the maternal and paternal love and care. In this regard, the children develop unbecoming behavior for lack of advice from parents who are ever busy in their careers or workstations. For example, due to the complexity of today’s world, parents and children rarely sit down for dialogue thus the vacuum is filled by other players in the child upbringing process. In the process, the child acquires new beliefs and character traits that are either positive or negative. Peers, for instance, contribute to a large extent to a child’s thinking pattern and can be disadvantageous at times. In this stage, he/she might adopt and retain behaviors that will open a new chapter in his/her future endeavors. This argument illustrates parents’ role in upbringing of children. Better living standards Mirowsky and Ross (2003, p. 103) argue that having both parents working alleviates the social psychological distress caused by overreliance on one individual to bring home finances. For example, a considerable number of non-employed wives suffer from depression resulting from husbands’ brutality and domestic feuds. Men, for example, take advantage of unemployed women and mistreat them without any reason. In light of this, employed parents, mostly mothers are able to meet their financial bottom lines and needs without much ado. Moreover, both parents working help them lead a better life thus upgrading their social status. As parents enhance good living conditions for their children they turn cold shoulders on their children who in turn take to the world for social guidance. However, technological innovations such as the internet and computer games become their leisure activities thus propagating heinous behaviors. Children independence Working parents, both father and mother in a family setting make children independent thus enables children to carry out certain activities on their own without depending on the parents for assistance. This helps in not only cognitive but also physical development of the child. For example, a child in the absence of the parent may learn how to cook his/her food and wash utensils after use. This also fosters a character geared towards realization of a responsible individual. For example, children can effectively do school assignments by themselves without supervision and also carry out some household chores. Examples Working parents serve as good examples and role models for their children. In light of this, more so parents in professional careers encourage their children to put effort in their studies to lead successful lives in future. However, non-working parents always face problems mostly in their finances thus leading miserable lives that are not exemplary to their children. Workload/tiresome Where both parents are working, there is a possibility of disrespect from both sides. This implies that each of them feels superior to the other mostly when they are earning different salaries. For example, a woman may opt to be disrespectful more so when earning more than the husband. This creates a quagmire in the family setting and might precipitate to hatred between couples, an action detrimental to the unity of the family bound by love. In this case, the family relations are triggered from the parents to the children. Effects of a changing world Alienation As parents hustle in their careers to make ends meet, they isolate their children very much thus at times lead to wrong choice of priorities by the children. This is entirely due to lack of parental guidance in the child’s decision making process. For example, a child may turn to smoking as a leisure activity unaware of its harm because of lack of advice from his/her parents. Moreover, having both parents working reduces the time frame that children have with their parents thus plummeting the parent-child bond. This makes the children grow up with less affection from the parents, thus may cause problems later in life (IndiaParenting n.d) Behavior change in unattended children Moreover, lack of parental involvement in a child’s personal life derails his/her academic achievements. This is evident because, working parents have little time to attend to children’s academic performance in schools rarely attending meetings called for by teachers. “Time is also an issue for parents who must fulfill their family commitments…many parents have inflexible schedules in which to participate in their children’s education” William and Jeynes (2011, p. 172). Time management In addition, in the absence of working parents, the situation has effects on time management by the children; they easily foster an attitude that is individualistic. For example, they wake up by themselves; prepare themselves for school among other activities. However, the overreliance on children to take care of themselves occasions lack of guidance that in the end injures their behavior. They turn to criminal actives for lack of advice and parents to instill discipline and encourage parent children interactions and dialogue. (Healthychildren n.d) Solutions In mitigation, the family setting should be on the forefront in propagating behavior change without compromising on other factors such as economic bottom-line. For example, although working, the parents should provide wise counsel to their children and at least spare some time to talk to them to avoid future regrets. This implies that they must be very concerned about their children wellbeing in a bid to realize parental love and care. Conclusion The division of labor in the family has caused a tremendous change in the running of the family institution in the world. In this regard, all parties involved should amicably deal with the situation in a more humane manner. As much as is required to cushion the family against financial injuries, the other critical responsibilities that come along with the establishment of the family should not be underestimated. For example, working parents should not be too busy for their children since it can harm their development in a number of ways namely; spiritual, emotional, physical and mental development. Moreover, more emphasis should be put into ensuring that the changing world affairs in the family setting not to jeopardize the family relations. For example, inclusion of maternal and paternal leaves that would grant the parents ample time to be with their children to offer counsel and solve some of their problems, mostly in the adolescent stage of human development. This helps in changing the behavior of the children to the better. In conclusion the realization of a harmonious family, all parties involved such as parents and children should be ready to face the problems head-on and provide solutions to these problems. List of References HealthyChildren. (n.d). Working Parents. Retrieved on May 19, 2011 from IndiaParenting. (n.d). The Working Mother. Retrieved on May 19, 2011 from < http://www.indiaparenting.com/articles/data/art09_026.shtml> Mirowsky, J, and Ross, C. (2003). Social cause of psychological distress, New York: Walter de Gruyter William, J and Jeynes, W. (2011). Parental Involvement and Academic Success, New York: Taylor and Francis Read More