If the nuclear family is the more common type in the modern era is this the same in every society or does it vary depending on where you live, and which is better?
Like Parsons (1950) said, the most common family type depends on the society we live in. We are very lucky to be living in a society where geographical and social mobility allows us to have the best type of lifestyle and be part of the nuclear family where we are able to move around the country for work reasons and not be tied down caring for our elders. However, in other countries, the best family type is the extended as they do not have the luxuries we have yet are able to have older generations to care for the children whilst the parents work. I don't think you could single out which family type is better in general. For Britain, it is very clear that it's the nuclear family as it fits best with our lifestyles.
But what if an extended family suits people in Britain better? What if they like caring for the elderly and it suits them to all live together so the 2 parents can work and the elderly look after the children?
"It is very clear that it's the nuclear family as it fits best with our lifestyles." There are a lot of people who would disagree with this, including Marxists and Feminists, not to mention post-modernists (whom we will encounter later). Can you offer any evidence to support your claim, as we discussed on Tuesday?
In poorer countries the extended family is better because you are more likely to have more incomes coming in with more people in your household. This also makes cheaper living for families because bills are split and some people struggle with paying them. This can also apply to British families as the economic downturn has affected many. It also depends on how close families are, because some would never cope in an extended family household. For modern families this could mean cheap childcare which is a massive cost for some families
I personally think that the extended family is the better family type; I mean elwhat if something was to happen to your parents? Or you were kicked out? You'd need the extended family as more of a support group and they would also be different role models to look at and can assist to your socialisation.
Like Parsons (1950) said, the most common family type depends on the society we live in. We are very lucky to be living in a society where geographical and social mobility allows us to have the best type of lifestyle and be part of the nuclear family where we are able to move around the country for work reasons and not be tied down caring for our elders. However, in other countries, the best family type is the extended as they do not have the luxuries we have yet are able to have older generations to care for the children whilst the parents work. I don't think you could single out which family type is better in general. For Britain, it is very clear that it's the nuclear family as it fits best with our lifestyles.
ReplyDeleteBut what if an extended family suits people in Britain better? What if they like caring for the elderly and it suits them to all live together so the 2 parents can work and the elderly look after the children?
ReplyDelete"It is very clear that it's the nuclear family as it fits best with our lifestyles." There are a lot of people who would disagree with this, including Marxists and Feminists, not to mention post-modernists (whom we will encounter later). Can you offer any evidence to support your claim, as we discussed on Tuesday?
ReplyDeleteIn poorer countries the extended family is better because you are more likely to have more incomes coming in with more people in your household. This also makes cheaper living for families because bills are split and some people struggle with paying them. This can also apply to British families as the economic downturn has affected many. It also depends on how close families are, because some would never cope in an extended family household. For modern families this could mean cheap childcare which is a massive cost for some families
ReplyDeleteI personally think that the extended family is the better family type; I mean elwhat if something was to happen to your parents? Or you were kicked out? You'd need the extended family as more of a support group and they would also be different role models to look at and can assist to your socialisation.
ReplyDelete