Family Diversity

THE FAMILY 1

FamilyDiversity

FamilyDiversity

Familydiversity hinges on social trends in multi-cultural settings.Social trends are evolving and so is the definition and compositionof a family in the multi-cultural society. Family composition hasevolved from the traditional nuclear family to newer forms. As aresult, unique types of family lifestyle and parenting have becomecommonplace. These families have affected individuals and society indifferent ways.

Theevolving social trends yield family diversity that refers to thevariation in family dynamics. Married couples constitute theleast portion of family household prompting the need to re-define themeaning and composition of family(De Vaus,&nbsp2012). He added that multiculturalsettings bring along unique lifestyles and philosophies. For example,Afro-Caribbean families are stereotypically represented as beingmother-centered while South Asian countries are patriarchal andextended. Blended families are also popular. The variations areattributable to the diverse society and cross-cultural marriagesfurther diversify family dynamics.

Withvariations in family dynamics, family composition has also changed.For instance, co-parenting has become the new norm and can refer toparenting a child or children when the parents are not married toeach other. It also refers to lesbians or gays mothers and fathersrespectively. To support this point, DeVaus&nbsp(2012) observed that context shapes dilemmaand determines one’s philosophy about life and family system. Headded that it also creates opportunities and weaknesses for diversityof families. This implies that families are created in their uniqueenvironments. With growth in family diversity and evolving humanrights, the yearning of gay and lesbian parents and other forms offamilies to be recognized continue to grow. This raises questionsabout what the acceptable values for family as an institution are.

Theconsequence of the diverse families to individuals and the societyare varied. For children, the diversity has limited socializationat home because of the many cases of blended and single parentfamilies (DeVaus,&nbsp2012). In the case of blended families,children are conscious but silent on their preferred ideal familytypes and may not express the need to have both biological parents.In cases where they speak their minds, parents will frown upon themand this will lead to strained relationships that drain thememotionally and psychologically. Generally, the family is no longerthe pillar of the social fabric in the community.

Conclusively,the family as an institution should be open. This way, it willaccommodate divorcees, reluctance to marry or re-marry and othersocial systems. As much as some may view such changes as catastrophicto the family values and norms, they are useful and progressive byaccommodating specific demographic and social changes.

References

DeVaus,&nbspD. (2012). Social Trends and their Impact on Couple andFamily Relationships.&nbspThe Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Couples and Family Relationships,25-35. doi:10.1002/9781444354119.ch2