Is there such a thing as the perfect
family? The idea of a perfect family
continues to fascinate people everyday, even though they
know there is no such thing they still want to believe. “Since the 1980s the American family has continued its inexorable
evolution towards greater diversity and complexity” (Stanley,
2012) . In other words, the American family has come upon many changes and experience that are new to them and have had to readjust in many ways. Because of this, people can find and point out many different
types of families around the world. Families are an important start to every
single person in this world and that their family will help support them
through the rest of their life. Families
are made by many different relationships and consist of many different people
in each family. Whether someone comes from a married family, single-parent
family, divorced family, cohabitating family or one of the many other types of
families everyone has some sort of family. I believe that a family member does
not have to be related to the person or even married to each other to consider
them family.
A family consists of people around you,
those who love you and support you throughout your life. You connect with these people and have strong
bonds between each other, which strengthens your relationship. In a study I
came across, the researchers found that children who supported their mothers
were more likely to have received support back (Suitor & Sechrist, 2006). A
parent is most commonly a child’s first relationship and it continues to grow
throughout their life. Support within the family is not a one sided
relationship, those who receive support are more likely to return the favor as
show within the study I found by Mr. Stanley. The Center for the study of
Social Policy states, "Strong
Family Relationships is defined
as the relational well-being of families” (Center for the Study of Social,
2012.). This study discusses how important support and family is in someone’s
life. No matter who is involved, it can even consist of just one individual you
family will strengthen and support you.
“Family
life is important given the dramatic changes and pressures associated with
contemporary American family
life” (Social, 2012) . Your family can help with the stresses
of live and teach you how to face the world as it comes at you. Family can be
whoever leads you to becoming who you are and they help you continue to grow.
The relationships you build with them will continue on for most of your live.
The perfect family may be what people try to strive for throughout their lives
but there can be more to this myth then just trying to prove it wrong or trying
to make it a reality. Remember
strengthening your family will be very beneficially to both you and you
children.
References
Center
for the Study of Social, P. (2012). Encouraging Strong Family Relationships.
State Policies That Work. Brief Number 6. Center For The Study Of Social
Policy,
Social, C. f. (2012). Encouraging Strong
Family Relationships. State Policies That Work , Brief Number 6.
Stanley, T. (2012). The Changing Face of
the American Family. History Today , 10-15.
Suitor & Sechrist (2006).
Within-family differences in mothers’ support to adult children. Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences.
Courtney,
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent community paper! Well done! I like what you said about how diverse a family could be (i.e. a family friend who is called Aunt or Uncle by your kids is considered as part of the family) and how you stated that family members are not just the individuals who live in your household but rather the people around you who love and support you.
-Elizabeth H.