History of Family Readings - Annotated Bibliography Example

History of Family Readings History of Family Readings Coontz, S. (2000). Historical perspectives on family studies. J Marriage Fam; 62 (2): 283-297. Qs1 The conditions for children have changed as more parents have been indicated to take part in the labor force for instance the women (Coontz, 2000). This decreases the amount of time the women or parents in general have with their children. Poverty has led to an increase in their workplace participation; thus, a major shift in the child rearing practices (Coontz, 2000). Qs 2 Marriage rates have reduced with a majority of women getting married at a later stage in their lives. Coontz (2000) accounts this to the changes in demography as the novel cultural beliefs embrace divorce and being single as opposed to the previous years. Additionally, family functions have been overtaken by market and state functions, which consume a lot of individual and family time (Coontz, 2000). Qs 3 The marriage age especially for contemporary women has risen as opposed to the previous years. This is because the family relations are changing, youths have managed to get a life outside marriage, divorce levels are high and child rearing has been alienated from marriage completely (Coontz, 2000). Qs4 Parents and children’s relationships have changed as parents have less time with their children. This time has been consumed by the working hours; thus, less time with the children. These parents have been documented not to have time for their children’s schoolwork (Coontz, 2000). Mothers, as Coontz (2000) argues, have been seen to specialize both in productive and reproductive labor. Qs 5 Women have become more economically empowered to an extent that they can survive without marriage. Coontz (2000) says that women’s wages have risen to 95% as that of men explaining their ability to compete equally with the men. Discrimination in the workplace has also reduced, and the rights of women embraced. Qs 6 This article brings to mind the fact that patriarchy still exists in the society. Through patriarchy the males are able to dominate the woman figure in some way both in the private and the public sphere. However, the same is not very prevalent in the contemporary public sphere due to the gender policies put in place to fight for women’s rights. However, the woman in the private sphere is still constrained by child bearing and rearing that incapacitates them to some point. Coontz, S. (1995). The Way We Werent. The Myth and Reality of the "Traditional" Family. National Forum, 75(3): 11. Qs 1 The “traditional” family is one that saw the existence of the male and female spheres, and where each gender was conversant with their roles (Coontz, 1995). In this family, the male was the dominant breadwinner, while the woman assumed the role of the homemaker. This family was also characterized by extensive kinship relations (Coontz, 1995). Qs 2 Colonial period families comprised of nuclear families that formed their independent households. These families enjoyed rights such as child, marriage and adoption rights (Coontz, 1995). They also spent time with the extended family though little time. Patriarchy was also dominant (Coontz, 1995). In the 19th century, patriarchal domination reduced with the rise of the wage system, women and children joined the labor system, and women entered into relations with other women (Coontz, 1995). Early 20th century families were disrupted with women opting to remain single. Such families also had no links with culture, the church and even ethnicity (Coontz, 1995). Family was individualized, children were taught to be self reliant, couples sought for time alone, murder rates and domestic violence also escalated. In the 1950s, the family was revived so as to regain socio-economic stability (Coontz, 1995). The family moved with the times such as advocacy for rights of the individuals involved; thus, lost its traditional touch. Post- 1950 families were characterized by liberation of women, anti-poverty movements and social justice. These changes were propelled by the changing times and demands (Coontz, 1995). Qs3 Family stress is caused by personal options for instance choosing to balance work and house chores, high divorce rates that render the home environment unbearable, and poverty that lead to unsustainable lifestyles (Coontz, 1995). Qs4 This article brings to mind the fact that the family can be saved if strong family values are created and instilled in children. Coontz, S. (1999). The American Family. Life, 22(12): 79. Qs 1 Some of the changes that Coontz (1999) discusses that are astonishing include the rising rates of the single women, increase in divorce rates, low child birth rates especially from educated women, increase in sexually transmitted infections in men, drug abuse, child prostitution, crime rates, child labor, and child negligence from parents. Qs 2 These changes are without a doubt bad as they destroy not only the family structure and customs of the social order but also the humane nature of life. If the sexually transmitted infections are on the rise as well as divorce rates, this means that the role of the family to regulate the sexual drive is lacking. Children are also on the lose; they are indulging in drug abuse and prostitution, what explains that the future generation has a bleak future. Drug abuse will also claim a huge percentage of the world’s labor system that would have alternatively been useful for the society. Qs 3 This article brings to mind the fact that the changes in the society are not different in any case with the past. The only difference is that every epoch of time bears its own problems that are unique. The 1950s was different from 1990s; thus, dissimilar problems for the family and society in general. Marks, S. R. (2004). Teasing Out the Lessons of the 1960s: Family Diversity and Family Privilege. Journal of Marriage and Family 62 (3): 609–622. DOI: 10.1111/j.1741-3737.2000.00609. x Qs1 In the 1960s, the institute of marriage was corrupted with changes in the society. Among the changes involved the lesbians and gays championing for their rights. Exotic cultures were embraced in the family thanks to the media involvement (Marks, 2004). Social movements also emerged as well as American imperialism displacing the ancient beliefs. Women did not lay all their hopes on their husbands (Marks, 2004). A lot of self awareness was evident with the children more conversant with their rights in the family. Monogamy slowly lost its importance in the marriage. Qs 2 Women’s roles in the 1960’s household involved housework, child rearing, decision making though a lot of resentments were seen from women whose husbands isolated themselves from these roles (Marks, 2004). This was propelled by women’s studies that argued that women were extremely discriminated by the nature and roles in the society (Marks, 2004). Today, women’s roles are the same, but a lot of women seek the help of caregivers to aid in household work. A difference is also noted where the men are also actively taking part in child rearing. Qs3 The ethical concerns that exist when groups are neglected by researchers are that the structural inequalities continue to persist. Marks (2004) argues that exclusion of such disadvantaged groups based on their statuses lead to unequal distribution of the benefits of the novel knowledge that reduces the obstacles of such groupings. Achievement as Marks (2004) says is a race that should be raced by all. Qs 4 “Alternative family” is one that does not appreciate the transformations that ensue in the society. Simply put, this is a family that does not have space for the awful times and is likely to dissolve if the bad times take toll. This family takes too long to reform its disadvantages towards the positive side (Marks, 2004). Lack of diversity and policies to implement the changes greatly affects the “alternative family”. Qs5 This statement is relevant in my family as through my family, I was able to learn the gender roles in the society, how to appreciate all genders and their roles and why genders relate the way they do. I hold these opinions till date. Qs6 This article argues that the family is the basic socialization agent; thus, determines what an individual will learn at a tender age, and what they will believe in their entire lives. References Coontz, S. (1995). The Way We Werent. The Myth and Reality of the "Traditional" Family. National Forum, 75(3): 11. -------- (1999). The American Family. Life, 22(12): 79. --------- (2000). Historical perspectives on family studies. J Marriage Fam; 62 (2): 283-297. Marks, S. R. (2004). Teasing Out the Lessons of the 1960s: Family Diversity and Family Privilege. Journal of Marriage and Family 62 (3): 609–622. DOI: 10.1111/j.1741-3737.2000.00609. x Read More