The Evolving Definition of Family PDF

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The Evolving Definition of Family For this assignment in ‘Families in Modern Society. I will study the definition of family, both traditional and modern, according to Lamanna, Riedmann, and Stewart, and Burgess and Locke, and I will examine many aspects of the subject and offer my definition, opinions, and views. I will also compare the similarities and differences in-between my personal definition and opinions and the authors (Lamanna, Riedmann, and Stewart), and Burgess and Locke. The authors define family as follows: A family is any sexually expressive parent-child, or other kin relationship in which people- usually related by ancestry, marriage, or adoption- (1) form an economic or otherwise practical unit and care for any children or other dependents, (2) consider their identity to be significantly attached to the group, and (3) commit to maintaining that group over time. According to Burgess and Locke, a family can be any group of two or more persons related by blood or marriage, and group in one dwelling or household. Just cohabitating in the same household doesn't qualify as a family. Those living together must be related by blood, marriage or adoption. Traditionally, family could be the core family (parents and children) as well as extended family such as grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. In modern family history, the typical family unit often evolved into a nuclear family (husband, wife, children). This nuclear family consisted of breadwinner father, homemaker mother, and children living together in one household. In recent times the extended family has resurfaced somewhat. Immigration and tough economic times have contributed to the nuclear family once again evolving into extended family. Families today aren't always related by blood, marriage, or adoption. More couples are living together instead of marrying, and children aren't necessarily related by blood, an example being foster children. I think of family as any group of people consisting of two or more who either live together in a dwelling or who are emotionally attached by love. I don't feel that family necessarily has to be related by blood, marriage or adoption. I hear the terms "my church family" and " my work family" used a lot today. I suspect that everyone has at least one individual or group of people that they are closer to than they are their own blood family.

Obviously, my definition of family differs somewhat to that of the authors definition. As I stated above, I feel that family can go a lot farther than just being mom, dad, brother, sister, spouse, child, grandparent or cousin. I suppose my version of family could be considered extended family, in a sense. I suppose there are also some similarities in my concept of family and the authors definition. Most families have the same special feelings among themselves, whether they are related by the traditional threads like marriage, blood, or adoption, or are acquired by the pathways of life that bring them together as a family. I do see some positive changes in the family patterns of today for the most part. In most traditional families, both parents are working to make ends meet. With this being the case, families have to pull together and support each other in order to accomplish the goals of the family unit. Children are required to help out more with chores, since both parents usually work. This teaches children responsibility, and encourages them that everyone must work together to maintain a healthy family unit. On the other side of the coin, it seems that there is a lot of divorces in society today. It is inevitable that this weakens and damages the family unit for the most part. However, there are exceptions such as abuse and or neglect. Another negative aspect in the family as a whole today is drug abuse. This is a whole other factor, and could have an entire essay devoted to this subject. I feel that most of society today perceives the family unit in a positive manner. However, with homelessness being so prevalent today, this indicates that sadly there are many weaknesses in the family unit also. I know that this is really getting into some really deep issues, but I have always felt that most government and entitlement programs such as welfare, food stamps, and Medicaid are totally opposite of what they should be. With unemployment being so prevalent, I feel that these programs should work to that advantage. Instead of all of these entitlements going to the unemployed, they should be used to encourage employment. I feel that this would have to enhance the family as it is today. I feel that this could help the divorce rate. I don't have any issues at all with interracial or interethnic marriages. I feel that all are created equal, and that skin color and ethnicity are irrelevant. I don't mean to, and try to very hard not to, judge on sexual orientation. I can't keep from believing what the Bible says about homosexuality. Therefore, I don't agree with same sex marriage. I have family and friends who

are homosexual, so by no means do I hate anyone with this lifestyle, I just don’t personally agree with it. Everyday life situations formulated my view of family. I have relatives who don't get along and are actually estranged from each other for whatever reason. I also have friends who are no relation to each other or myself and who would move mountains for each other or me. I love and respect the "traditional" structural family. My parents have been married for 20+ years. I have two younger sisters. for the most part I am close to grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. In the case of "post-modern," as I state previously, there are friends who are as close and will always be my family in my eyes. I suppose my opinion is not easily categorized, but very few things in this life are either black or white, left or right, or simple of difficult. In almost any aspect of life, we are all somewhere right in the middle. In conclusion, I found this material very interesting, informative and thought provoking. I realize that all of these issues that I’ve talked about don’t even begin to cover all of the definitions of family, but I feel that it was a great start....