Why is it difficult to be critical (ie., think critically, not be antagonistic) of the concept of the traditional family?
It is really difficult to be critical of the concept of the traditional family. Trying to consider this point of view it is crucial to check the notion of the traditional family and compare and contrast it with other particular definitions of family. However, searching for reliable data, the conclusion may be drawn that there is no particularly strong definition of the notion of the traditional family as well as there is no one specific definition of the family either.
Coming out of the conclusion that the word tradition is connected with history, it is better to check the history of the family and then try to be critical of the traditional family. It is obvious that many people refer to traditional family as to the union of people who love each other, but it is not so, as a family has always been considered as the economic or political instrument and during many centuries family did not have any connection with love feelings and was an instrument of focusing power.
Therefore, when people dwell upon the importance of the traditional family, they usually have a different understanding of this notion. Thinking about the devotion to each other, the low rate (or absolute absence) of divorces, and the respect to the family as a too sacred institution, many people forget that traditional family in the historic consideration of the notion is a sort of a contract when two people were united for financial or political consideration and advantages. Thus, one of the reasons why it is difficult to dwell upon the idea of the traditional family is the absence of the concrete definition of the notions of family and the traditional family.
Moreover, dwelling upon the concept of the traditional family, the idea of children should not be avoided. Thus, about 40-50 years ago it was a norm to have 6-7 children. Nowadays, not many people want to have that number of children. Thus, considering the notion of the traditional family from this perspective, it is also important to understand that criticizing the concept of traditional family from this perspective, people are to have the considerations of those who believe in and want to have the traditional family.
Modern realms are different. The roles of many men and women have changed. It is a norm to see a working woman and a man who stays at home and takes care of the household. Thus, it is difficult to remain critical of the concept of traditional family because modern people live in absolutely different conditions and do not have an opportunity to imagine themselves in other conditions to criticize the notion from its original perspective.
Should traditional families be the goal? Why or why not?
Traditional families should not be the goal as if people would try to remember the history and would try to search for the real consideration of the traditional families, they would understand that there is no particular definition of the traditional family and if to consider the notion of the traditional family from the historic perspective, the family has always been used as the substitution of the contract. People are to set the goal of love as the basis of the family.
The family should become a sacred institution that should be intimate and only for two people. Those who want to set a goal to have a traditional family should remember that a traditional family is a family based on the contract conditions (financial or political) where a woman stays at home and brings up about 7-10 children. The modern situation, especially in the cities, is as follows, both men and women work and when it comes to children, they hardly have one to make sure that their family is full.
The situation has changed, women do not want to stay at home and cope with children. They want to have their careers, they want to grow and be successful in business. Thus, the roles have shifted and more and more men want children and to have them, they usually agree to stay at home until it is necessary. Considering the problem of whether the traditional families should be a goal or not, the answer is not as in this case there is no place for love and women are restricted from house responsibilities. The consideration of the men and women as equal in their social roles makes it impossible to set the goals of the traditional family and there is no need to do it.
People should live in the modern world. Everything changes and people are to accept these changes. There is no need to live in the past as we do not use candles for lightening the rooms in the evening and we do not wash our clothes in the rivers. People are to understand that many changes have occurred and those who have accepted most of them should think about how to make sure that all of the changes considered and follow those changes.