Introduction
The definition of family in sociological and psychological models varies depending on how family members’ roles are perceived and which issues the particular approach addresses. In most theories, family is conceptualized as a group of individuals who are related or married to one another– parents and children, siblings, and spouses. For example, the view of the modern family may differ significantly from how it was described in the previous century. Similarly, as technology has advanced, work standards and values have changed, and relationships and social systems have evolved, the family has undergone many alterations. Families face new challenges based on their socioeconomic position, roles within and outside the family, and other issues connected to interpersonal relationships.
Modern Family Background
To discuss the potential issues that modern families may face, it is vital to understand the changes this societal structure has undergone. According to Furstenberg (2019), some trends in familial relationships may be identified. For instance, the age at first marriage has increased significantly (Furstenberg, 2019). Thus, more people are forming families and having children later in life than before. At the same time, as people marry later and have children, the number of children per household has declined (Furstenberg, 2019).
The next shift is the growing trend of cohabitation rather than marriage (Furstenberg, 2019). As married couples may have children and live together, their union is viewed as a family despite the lack of an official document. Other potential developments are the increasing acceptance of divorce and remarriage, women’s growing role in the labor force, and the divide between the richest and poorest societal groups (Furstenberg, 2019). Overall, the modern family faces many issues inside and outside the home.
Challenges
Disrupted Family Structures
As mentioned above, one significant change in family structure is the growing acceptance of divorce and remarriage. Dissolving a marriage has both positive and negative consequences for all family members involved. Stokkebekk, Iversen, Hollekim, and Ness (2019) find that marital dissolution may occur for many reasons, including financial troubles, the mental and physical health of a spouse, satisfaction, conflicts, differing views, and abuse. While these problems may also be reviewed as challenges, divorce places additional pressure on some family members, especially children.
According to the systemic family theory, family members occupy specific roles in relationships, and changes in the family dynamic impact and are affected by these interactions (Stokkebekk et al., 2019). During a divorce, the relationship between parents and children changes. For example, if one of the former spouses leaves while the rest of the family stays together, children may begin filling the caretaker role left vacant by that spouse (Stokkebekk et al., 2019). This change may lead to long-term psychological problems, stress, and conflicts.
Financial Issues
Another issue the modern family faces is economic problems, as mentioned previously. As Prime, Wade, and Browne (2020) argue, financial insecurity is a critical issue for many households, and it has been worsening due to the pandemic and its aftermath. Money is a core concern in families, and financial issues are among the most common grounds for familial conflict (Furstenberg, 2019).
The lack of resources to support children and provide them with education and other resources leads to increased stress, interpersonal disagreements, and limited access to meeting children’s needs for learning and social interaction (Prime et al., 2020). For instance, a single parent or an unemployed parent may be unable to send their child to a good school or buy the necessary supplies. As a result, the child experiences additional conflicts outside the home while feeling the pressure inside the household.
COVID-19-Related Problems
Aside from financial insecurity, COVID-19 has brought more issues in modern families to light. One is the difficulty of maintaining a work-life balance for one or more parental figures in the family. Working standards and values have shifted in the last few years with the growing presence of women in the workforce and the increasing role of remote jobs.
On the one hand, more women are expected to work and support the household while also being needed at home to look after children. This may lead children to feel neglected or to have a poor connection with both parents (Prime et al., 2020). Moreover, spouses may experience conflicts stemming from their positions inside and outside the home, especially when their roles at home and work are unequally divided.
On the other hand, more people are working remotely, which blurs the line between work hours and free time. As a result, work-life balance leads to family tension due to the distancing of children or spouses. Working parents may feel like they are always working, neglecting to spend time with their children or one another.
In family systems theory, triangles explain such changes in relationships: as two of the three family members grow closer, the third may feel left out or ignored (Eynde, Claessens, & Mortelmans, 2020). Another theory is ecological systems theory, which holds that the child’s development depends on the surrounding environment, especially family and school (Eynde et al., 2020). When parents’ workloads increase, children’s social development at home may suffer.
Technological Impact
Finally, one of the new issues affecting modern families is the growing presence of technology in daily life. A decade or two ago, children did not have the same access to digital devices and programs as they do today. As a result, the development process, social interactions, learning, and leisure are different for the youngest generations, which may lead to intergenerational conflicts and communication problems. Furstenberg (2019) states that technological advancement is a macro-level change that indirectly affects family systems by introducing new ideas and changing cultural values. Simultaneously, the growing use of technology as a source of entertainment and information may disrupt common communication patterns within a family, leading to emotional distance.
Conclusion
Modern families face many issues affecting their interpersonal relationships, leading to disagreements and long-term consequences. Family members experience a change in the work environment that puts pressure on them to work more while giving less time and attention to family members, including children and spouses. Nevertheless, financial insecurity remains a major problem for many households – a significant cause of conflicts and divorce. The latter outcome is also a problem as it disrupts the family system and requires family members to assume other positions and responsibilities within the household. Lastly, modern families have a different relationship with technology, and the younger generation’s reliance on devices and the internet can lead to communication issues with older family members. Family systems theory shows how a changing environment impacts family interactions.
References
Eynde, A. V. D., Claessens, E., & Mortelmans, D. (2020). The consequences of work-family conflict in families on the behavior of the child. JFR – Journal of Family Research, 32(1), 123-144.
Furstenberg, F. F. (2019). Family change in global perspective: How and why family systems change. Family Relations, 68(3), 326-341.
Prime, H., Wade, M., & Browne, D. T. (2020). Risk and resilience in family well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. American Psychologist, 75(5), 631.
Stokkebekk, J., Iversen, A. C., Hollekim, R., & Ness, O. (2019). “Keeping balance”,”Keeping distance” and “Keeping on with life”: Child positions in divorced families with prolonged conflicts. Children and Youth Services Review, 102, 108-119.