Traditional and Nontraditional Family Structure - Assignment Example

TRADITIONAL AND NONTRADITIONAL FAMILY STRCTURE ID] S TRADITIONAL AND NONTRADITIONAL FAMILY STRCTURE The ‘traditional family’ is used to mean a family consisting of a husband, a wife and their children (in case they have any) (Grant, 2012). Mainly the husband goes out to work and fend for the family while the wife and children stay home. Chores such as buying food, cooking, cleaning clothes as well as dishes plus childcare, among others, are responsibilities of the wife. These dominated every neighborhood (Grant, 2012).

However, most American households are no longer traditional families. Currently, our society displays diversity. Various family forms have been assumed replacing the traditional families. Thus nontraditional family forms include single parenthood, singlehood, cohabitation, Gay-Lesbian-Bisexual- and- Transgender (GLBT) relationships and even polygamy (Grant, 2012). Inasmuch as single parenthood do existed even prior to the 20th century due deaths of spouses, by then, single parenthood was surrounded by a certain level of stigma (Grant, 2012).

This is contrary to what is happening now; where single parenthood is considered more acceptable. Additionally, unlike in traditional family set up where single parenthood mainly resulted from death of a spouse, today divorce and woman’s decision to have a child alone are key drivers. For instance, Artificial Insemination has become an option to have a child while single. Cohabitation is also a form nontraditional family (Bornstein, 1991). This is where a housed is shared by unmarried couple.

It is normally taken to be an alternative form of marriage which has continued to gain popularity in the U.S. Some couple cohabitate with a claim that they are testing their compatibility in marriage. Besides, families created and the relationship formed by GLBT, may also be considered as a structure in the nontraditional family set up. Unlike traditional structure where a family is mainly husband, wife and children, nontraditional structure presents more complicated structure including even people of the same gender.

Nontraditional families’ influence on spots participation depends on the nature of the family and the nature of the stakeholders (Bornstein, 1991); influence may either be negative or positive based on that nature. For example, in a single-parenthood family, a child or children may be actively involved in sports or otherwise; the determining factor being the nature of the parent (Bornstein, 1991). If the parent supports child’s involvement in sports or even himself/herself participates, the participation will be raised, and vice versa (Bornstein, 1991).

Besides, families such as cohabitation and GBLT may encourage sports participation (if members are interested in sports) due to less restrictions and commitment at the family level. For example, wives participation in sports, in the nuclear traditional family, may be a bit difficult due to a lot of responsibilities at the family level. However, the good parenthood that most nontraditional families lack may negatively influence sports participation due lack of guidance and encouragement to children to take up sports.

Consequently, I do believe that net influence of nontraditional is for the worse. This is mainly due to lack good guidance, moral support and encouragement for children to take up sports (Bornstein, 1991). Besides, some nontraditional families like GBLT may not have children. ReferencesGrant, J. (2012). Sport, Culture and Society. New York : Routledge. Bornstein, M. (1991). Cultural Approaches to Parenting. Hillsdale: Lawrence Erlbaum.