Family Changes - Assignment Example

Family Changes The family makes up the central social unit comprising of people joined by blood, marriage or adaptation, forming a household of parents, children and relatives. The family has a duty to reproduce society either socially or biologically and stand by its members in bad or good times, in whole or in part. The family also forms the basis of culture by associating with other family groups, creating socially interdependent networks where they earn a living, protect themselves and their children socialize.

Although family and culture should functions hand in hand, presently, cultural dysfunctions are being witnessed in society. The family unit and culture are in conflict, which is to the disadvantage of both. Family Changes Question One It is true that weakening of the family is among the causes of some problems faced by society today (Loseke & Best, 2003). Many people brought up in dysfunctional families miss out on the virtues of a sense of belonging. They end up with low self esteems and join others who grew up in similar situations.

Propelled by anger, they form alternative family units and engage in social vices. Research has shown that unhappy and violent families are associated with juvenile delinquency and mental health disorders (Adlaf, Begin & Sawka, 2005). People brought up in such unhappy families are likely to end their own marriages in divorce. In the same manner, with technological advances, people are spending most of their time on television, the internet or video games. The real world of face to face socializing has been shrinking.

Children are sinking more into social isolation, rather than developing their socializing skills by interacting physically and spending time with family and friends. They end up becoming isolated and depressed adults (Adlaf, Begin & Sawka, 2005). Question Two One notable change in families since 1960 is the increase in single parent families. This is caused by the high divorce rates, with the United States having the highest among the industrialized countries. Among the causes of divorce are communication breakdown, infidelity, financial problems, and emotional and physical abuse (Desjardins & Tina, 2004).

Single parent families are also caused by having children out of wedlock, unlike the 1960s where people stayed at home until marriage before they bore children. Another change is that due to the high divorce and remarrying rates, there is also a rise in families comprising of step parents and step children. This is caused by people who gave birth out of wedlock getting married to someone else other than the one they sired children with. There is also the empowering of women which has seen majority of them getting into employment, unlike the 1960s where most of them were housewives, mothers and home keepers (Loseke & Best, 2003).. Question Three Families are getting more different than weak.

Dating back to the dawn of industrialization and the more recent lifestyles, the effects of demographic changes are placing demands on the forms of families (Loseke & Best, 2003). Families have evolved and advanced, reconstructing patterns of marriage and divorce, number of children in families, how they are brought up and the number of people who make it to old age. Within most families with two parents, both of them are in employment as dual career marriages are on the rise. A study revealed that more women than men were employed in the United States in 2010.

Children are left under the watch of caregivers. However, through technological means, parents can be in touch with their children throughout the day. This does not necessarily make a family weak, but rather different from what was there earlier (Loseke & Best, 2003).. Question Four The family can be strengthened by members showing appreciation to one another. It is human nature to want to be around appreciative people. Spouses should appreciate each other and build on their strong points and extend the same to their children.

A loved child will most likely grow up into a loving adult. Children should never be exposed to violence occurring between their parents (Adlaf, Begin & Sawka, 2005). Their differences should not be addressed in the presence of the children. A family can also strengthen its ties by spending more time together in activities that all members participate in and enjoy. External demands to fragment family time should be avoided if they are not of key significances. Communications should be sincere and open, and each family member should learn the art of good listenership.

Spiritual strength may also be built by taking part in church functions and activities and reading religious literature together as a family. Finally, making family life the first priority and giving it the highest degree of commitment grants a meaningful and fulfilling life. Question Five Although a weak family could be among the causes of social problems witnessed today, there exist other stronger and more significant causes. These arise typically from lifestyle and neighborhoods rather than one’s family.

Others are environmental and beyond significant human intervention (Adlaf, Begin & Sawka, 2005). Persons exposed to inequalities such as racial, religious and gender, poverty, crime and substance abuse may grow up into social misfits, yet their families were closely bonded together. Even within a functional family, individuality also plays a role in shaping the kind of person one grows into (Desjardins & Tina, 2004). Through friendships in school and peer pressure, one might go against the expected social norms.

For example, an individual’s sexual orientation may have nothing to do with the kind of family he grew up in, but not everyone in the society may be agreeable to homosexuality (Desjardins & Tina, 2004). References Adlaf, E., Begin, P., & Sawka, E. (2005). Canadian addiction survey: A national survey of Canadians' use of alcohol and other drugs. Ottawa: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. Desjardins, N. & Tina, H. (2004). Trends in drug offences and the role of alcohol and drugs in crime. Retrieved from http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.

ca/Collection-R/Statcan/85-002-XIE/0010485-002-XIE.pdf. Loseke, D., & Best, J. (2003). Social problems: Constructionist readings. New York: Walter de Gruyter.