The theoretical perspectives to view families in a global context
According to Roopnarine & Gielen (2005), there are various theoretical perspectives to view families in a global context. One such theoretical perspective is symbolic interactionism. According to this perspective, the behavior of an individual is determined by their immediate surroundings. Symbolic interactionism assumes that people communicate and behave according to how they define themselves and the people surrounding them. In this case, Roopnarine & Gielen (2005) point out that family members tend to behave alike. Most children who are born and raised by single parents, for example, are more likely to get children outside wedlock.
Another theoretical perspective used in the book is the functional analysis. The functional analysis assumes that society is an enormous whole comprising of parts that are independent and functioning together. A perfect example is whereby families are seen to comprise of extended families. Parents are seen to be independent of their own parents, yet they take their children to their grandparents to take care of them.
The editor also uses another perspective referred to as conflict theory. This theory assumes that all the despairs and sadness in the society are brought about by the irregular spread of wealth. The theory indicates that the poor and the powerless are forced to have social order by powerful people in society. A good example is whereby the government formulates policies to control the composition and size of families.
These theoretical perspectives cannot work independently of each other. They have to complement each other in order to bring forth the importance of sociology. An example from the book is whereby an independent mum takes her child to live with her grandparents. This shows the aspects of both the functional analysis and symbolic interactionism. The functional analysis reflects in the manner the mum depends on her parents to take care of her child. If the child lives for a long period with the grandparents, he or she is more likely to emulate the behavior of the children he or she associates with at the grandparent’s place. The moral values taught by her grandparents are more likely to stick to those valued by the child’s true parents.
The core areas focused upon by the editors of Families in Global Perspective
The editor focuses on various areas of families from a global perspective throughout the reading. One such area is the socio-demographic changes in families. According to the editor, societies are undergoing changes both in the organization of families and structural arrangements. In this theme, the editor indicates that there is an increase in nuclear families brought about by a decline in marriage rates.
Another area that the editor focuses on is husband-wife roles and household and childcare roles. According to the editor, men are no longer held as heads of their families as they used to be. Instead, roles are shifting towards equal responsibility as men and women. Women are now seen to use diverse strategies to gain power and ease male domination in their families (Roopnarine & Gielen, 2005). The editor predicts the likelihood of men being isolated from their families, and instead, women will bear the burden of more household duties and childcare. This will hence encourage grandparents to take up the responsibility of taking care of their grandchildren.
Another theme considered by the editor in his reading is the issue of parent-child relationships- socialization beliefs, goals, and practices. According to the editor, children’s socialization goals, beliefs, and practices may defer depending on the kind of parenting that is exercised on the child in question.
The editor in his reading has also touched on family issues and policies. He indicates that societies have implemented policies affecting family lives. Societies are now seen to attend to violence both domestically and in the families. Families are also seen to have slowly come to accept the Lesbigay families and even emerging to protect their rights.
Families in Asian cultures: Japan vs. China
Asians have their own style of involving their children, most especially when it comes to education. Japanese and Chinese cultures embrace the idea that children need parental trimming and shaping as they grow. Japanese, for example, use the character for cultivating a person just as they would cultivate a plant. When it comes to early education, Japanese and Chinese teach their children basic reading and writing skills, imbuing them with focus, concentration, and perseverance.
When it comes to marital roles, men are considered to be the breadwinners of the family (Man & Vijay, 1996). Men are expected to work hard for the family and be able to provide financial support for their families. Japanese women are expected to be primary caregivers. They are expected to look after their children as the man in the family goes to work to look for finances to take care of the family. Women in China, on the other hand, have equality in marriage, freedom, and rights. Most women in China are seen to be single mums compared to Japanese women.
Japanese families do not rely heavily on traditional social structures as compared to China. To them, abortion is not evil. However, it is important to note that they do not encourage abortion because of its medical complications. On the other side, China does not encourage the killing of a newborn baby. They are killing the child before birth is promoted as there are various clinics opened to carry out “mobile abortion.” These clinics are even fitted with complete body clamps, which are used to hold down women.
How the Millennium Development Goals are related to the well-being of families
A key objective in the millennium development goals is to promote gender equality and empower women. This encourages women to take up men related roles in their families, such as becoming bread winners. Men are also expected to take up other roles that were considered to be for women traditionally. Such roles include even taking care of their children. The families in the world are changing, and this has even led to the amendment of government policies in various countries to offer men paternal leaves at the work place in order to enable them to take up more roles in their families during and after the birth of a child.
Another millennium development role is the achievement of universal primary education. This implies that gender disparity should be eliminated both in secondary and primary schools in order for the girl child to be equally educated, just like the boy child. With these measures put in place, single parenting is more likely to be on the increase as single mums will not be required to rely on men to provide for the needs of children born outside wedlock.
These millennium development goals are more likely to affect families both negatively and positively. The good thing about the millennium development goal is that it will enable women to provide for their families, even in the absence of the traditional heads of their families (fathers). The number of single mums in the world is expected to go up, thereby making dads play minimal roles in their families. Another advantage of these millennium goals is that it is more likely to reduce the rate of wife buttering. With the education of the girl child, women as wives in their families will have an understanding of their rights and therefore be able to defend themselves. The disadvantage of these millennium development goals with regard to families is that it is likely to encourage divorce among families.
The changes going on in Israeli families and/or the persistence of traditional forms
Israel is a small country with diversified culture. It comprises a mix of Arab and Jewish populations. It is a country that is characterized by many languages with family patterns backed by modern lifestyles influenced by western culture (Colin, 2003). One aspect that has remained relatively unchanged about the families in Israel is the fact that women are still employed in the health, welfare service, and education sectors. Their average income has remained relatively consistent, equating to 77percent of the men’s income.
Another aspect that has remained unchanged is that men are still considered to be the heads of families. They are the final decision-makers in their families. Even with the education of women in the Israel community, women have not started practicing single parenting. Since most of the Israel families are Muslims by religion, they find it quite moral to rely on the values of the Muslim religion rather than the traditional values.
The role and influence of women in their families are slowly changing. Women in Israeli families are increasingly being engaged in decision- making of their families. Particularly among young couples, men tend to seek advice from their wives on almost all issues that affect them both directly and indirectly.
Traditionally, married couples used to live with their husband’s family. This extended kinship is undergoing a transformation. Sons still continue to live with their parents, but once they get married, they build their homes adjacent to their parent’s home and move into their new homes.
References
Roopnarine, J. L, & Gielen, U.P, (2005). Familes In Global Perspective. Boston: Pearson.
Colin. B., (2003). Middle class Families: Social and Demographic Mobility. London: Routledge.
Man. S.D., & Vijay. K.G., (1996). Changing Family Roles and Feminism. New Delhi: M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd.