Socialization and Family
Today the most important thing in everyone’s lives is their family, or
at least it should be. We are most often raised: God first, then family, and so
on and so on.
However, that was as I said, how we were raised, back in the day. Today,
the World we know is undergoing changes daily.
Personally I feel, that family is the strength behind everything and
everyone. If you think about this: a person’s reasons for getting up and going
to work in the morning, is to make money, to pay the bills, to put food on the
table, and to keep everyone safe, healthy and happy.
But as we know, life often gets in the way of this ‘plan’ and desired
way to live. No one plans to have their home broken into while they sleep, or a
hurricane take their roof from their dwelling. No one plans to get hit by a
car, and have their leg crushed. No one plans to get sick either. These are
things that just happen, life.
Also, families today themselves are different. There are two dads, or
two moms, maybe even grandparents raising children. Today, it is common to see
people judging and pointing, and even making fun, bullying as such. This even
happens in the Schools, because of a family scenario. In the past, even, people
didn’t approve of racial mixing. And today, it is more common now than it ever
was. Whatever the case, you look around, and families are just as unique as you
and I.
Now, to answer the following questions:
- Why is the family considered the most important agent of socialization?
Sociologists today, using the structural-functional analysis have
identified the major functions of the family as follows:
- Socializing the young
- Assisting in regulating sexual activity
- Identifying social placement of people
- Providing emotional support
Without family, we are nothing. We need families in order to reproduce. Families
make us stable, and strong.
“The family is widely considered the most important
agent of socialization. The process of socialization within this institution is
both intentional and unconscious. The social life of the family has been shown
to have a considerable bearing upon the values and orientations children learn.
This point is elaborated using research by Melvin Kohn (1977), who found that
middle-class and working-class parents stress different values for their
children.” ~As stated in the online classroom.
 |
| This is my crazy family |
2. What
caused the dramatic changes to the American family? What are those changes?
a. Structural functionalism: These are 4 key functions: socialization,
regulation of sexual activity, social identity and placement, and providing
emotional and material support.
b. Social Conflict: This is
where families perpetuate inequalities and social division based on race, class
and gender.
c. Symbolic Interactionism: This is where the families are varied,
as are the experiences of each family member.
d. Post modernism: This is
where the importance of the family and its influence are said to be declining,
replaced by the pursuit of individual freedoms.
3. Describe
the differences in marriage and family life that are linked to class, race,
gender, and personal choice.
a. According
to what I just read in the class on the section: “Families in the future” it states that no matter what happens, family
will always be the backbone.
b. My
personal thoughts? I see a lot of changes, I know a lot of men now who are stay
at home Moms because the women are making more money, and daycare costs too
much. Apparently the only way to receive free or low cost daycare is to have a
referral from child services, or be a low income person. Otherwise, I am told
it costs an arm and a leg, because the daycares have to charge the government a
lower fee. Is this just speculation and assumed? No. I spoke to several
daycares here in Brevard County including:
I. First Steps daycare
in Merritt Island, Florida 321-449-1199 (I have family their they do have HIPPA
laws, so I cannot divulge names I do apologize.) And they are the only daycare
allowing me to reference them, the others are claiming HIPPA. This one is
personally known to me.
c. I went to
the online South University Library and found a book that I found to be quite
informative titled: “No More Kin : Exploring Race, Class, and Gender in
Family Networks” this
book brought to light much of the idea’s and perspective whereas we ‘think’ we
need to follow in our parents footsteps, and yet we can chose to become our own
individual. The book, listed in my reference section, I happen to agree with.
Why?
When I was eighteen, my Mother took me to register to vote. She didn’t give me
to option of democrat or republican, she chose
it for me. I was not pleased. Once I became married, and moved out on my own,
out of spite, I became a republican. However, let it be known, I vote for
whomever I please. I do not vote for democrat or republican. I vote for the
qualifying candidate.
4. Do you feel the trend toward diverse families is positive
or negative?
a. I feel,
personally that times are changing and we need to advance with them, and
honestly there is nothing we or anyone else can do about it. I feel we need to
accept it, and try to keep it under control with the best proper guidance as
possible, though.
b. As a survivor myself of child
abuse, I decided to go to South University and their online library and search
‘diverse families.’ Once I did I found this helpful: “Child
abuse and culture : working with diverse families / Fontes, Lisa Aronson” This book brings to
light how child abuse affects the family net and what the outcomes are. The
book itself enlightens you to following:
1. Multicultural Orientation to Child Malrestment Work
2. Working with Immigrant Families Affected by Child Maltreatment
3. Assessing Diverse Families for Child Maltreatment
4. Interviewing Diverse Children and Families about Child Maltreatment
5. Physical Discipline and Abuse
6. Child Sexual Abuse
7. Working with Interpreters
8. Child Maltreatment Prevention and Parent Education
9. Improving the Cultural Competency of Your Child Maltreatment Agency or Organization ~ A Final Wish.
2. Working with Immigrant Families Affected by Child Maltreatment
3. Assessing Diverse Families for Child Maltreatment
4. Interviewing Diverse Children and Families about Child Maltreatment
5. Physical Discipline and Abuse
6. Child Sexual Abuse
7. Working with Interpreters
8. Child Maltreatment Prevention and Parent Education
9. Improving the Cultural Competency of Your Child Maltreatment Agency or Organization ~ A Final Wish.
The book will
open your eyes truly, and make you see and feel the different views of abuse,
and even the cultures, it is something that everyone should read, especially if
they have not lives through abuse personally.
5.
If the trend changed toward traditional (pre-World War II)
families, how would that affect women’s rights?
a.
Again this is my opinion, but this
could cause a catastrophe. Women have worked so hard to get where they are
today. Look at Roe V. Wade. Women today are just as hard working as men, and
proud of it. I think this could be the worst possible step ever.
Family is very important, whether you or anyone else realizes it or not,
it is something we all need. Without it, we will all fail. Adam and Eve had
family. They create Cain and Able, and many other children. True, their
children fought and killed one another, but as I have stated, this is a simple
life cycle.
With life come changes, wars, deaths,
Politics, evolvement, love, hate, and so many things that there are just way
too many to list and think about.
We cannot make steps backwards, it would only impair us, we have made
many of changes, some good and some bad. But regardless of those changes, we
still need to advance, and try to improve as a World, a Universe and a mankind.
References:
Understanding
Families, v. 8 Roschelle,
Anne R.Thousand Oaks, Calif : SAGE
Publications, Inc. 1997 eBook.
Publisher:New York : Guilford Press,
c2005 ISBN:9781593851309 : 1593851308 : Format:Book
South University Classroom studies Sociology SOC1001
October 2016
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