The dynamic nature of the world has brought various changes in society. It is worth noting that in the past sixty years, families have tremendous changes and continue to be more diverse. Socialization is one of the important lifelong processes that integrate individuals to acquire the mental, social, as well as physical skills that are necessary to survive in society. In fact, socialization develops self-awareness and self-identity among people. The agents of socialization play a crucial role in society since it affects individuals in a different perspective. There are various agents of socialization, but family is believed to be the most important (Kendall, 2014). Everyone in life is affected by family before any other agents of socialization. As a matter of fact, family begins affecting individuals before anything else come in play.
In all societies, family is the most important agent of socialization. From infancy onwards, families integrate social and cultural values into individuals. Despite the variation of family structure and size, families still influence individual the most. Based on functionalist perspective, theorists assert that families are important agents of socialization because they are the basic locus for socialization and procreation of children (Kendall, 2014). Within the family context, individuals acquire a sense of belonging and derive values that are essential in life. Family creates a platform for individuals to learn about language, beliefs, norms and attitudes of the dominant culture.
Families are also crucial because they are the source of emotional and social support. It is within the family setup that people receive acceptance, intimacy, companionship, understanding, as well as security. In addition, family is the ultimate agent whereby individual acquires social position in the community. These means that the family gives individuals specific ethics, racial, religious and class that is identified within society (Kendall, 2014). The parents socialize their children on various issues related to race, ethnicity and class. The behaviors and beliefs that children will grow into are associated with parents and family as an agent of socialization. In the general perspective, family is the important agent of socialization because it is the first experience that people go through. Without families, people would inadequately be socialized to face the society.
The American family has tremendous changed. There are innumerable changes that have taken place since the 1960s. One of the changes in American family is the shift in demographics. Watching American videos and movies present the ideal family of mother, father, children, and pets, but in the real sense this is not the case. In the America, the rate of divorce has increased leading to a dramatic change in family setup (Rosenfeld, 2007). In addition, the issues of cohabitation have also increased. American families are characterized by single mother or single mother due to the higher rate of divorce. Critically, current American families are diverse. The American households made of mother, father, and children are reducing.
American families have also changed due to increasing of blended families of gay, lesbians, and heterosexual designs. In the past, same-sex marriages were illegal, but currently, various states have legalized same-sex marriage. The move has changed the family setup and made it more complex and diverse. In addition, most of the children in American families are born out of wedlock. American families have also changed in the sense that most of the mothers are employed and focus more on career. For example, more than 72% of women who are in child-bearing period are employed (Rosenfeld, 2007). These changes have increased the number of women who are the head of families.
There are various reasons why American family has dramatically changed. The increase in employed and independent women in American families has caused changes. Many career women focus on being independent at taking care of their children without men. In addition, technological advancement is also another cause. Media in the modern American families has become a surrogate parent (Kendall, 2014). Children are socialized by social networks, video games, and cell phones. The rise of dual-career among family members has transformed the domestic arrangements in the family. The changes in work relationships have changed the expectation and rights within marriage. People who are economically dependent have less tolerance on the issue of culture.
Marriages and family life are mostly linked to race, class, gender, and personal choice. The dynamic nature of society continues to cause dramatic changes on issues of family and marriages. It is worth noting that marriages that are linked to personal choice tend to be stronger, especially in the modern society. In the past, some of the laws and cultural believes defined marriage and family in terms of race and class (Aulette, 2002). For example, the issues of the caste system had laws that could not allow interracial marriages. The changes in society have increased the marriages and families that are linked to diverse race and class. In fact, marriages in the modern society are based on personal choice. The economic dependence tends to promote an aspect of personal choice in marriages and family. Marriage and family life linked to gender tend to vary on issues of roles. There are various states that have allowed same-sex marriages making the community diverse. The upbringing of children and gender roles in such marriage and family life are different.
The trend of diverse families is very positive. In the modern world, an aspect of diversity dominates every sector of life. In fact, diversity continues to be part of people life. Diverse families develop a happy and healthy relationship. Studies show that the strength of families will be achieved through diversity. Diverse families’ gives the individual an opportunity to experience and learn things that are mostly accustomed (Kendall, 2014). In fact, the trend towards diverse families prepares individuals to face global challenges and be able to survive in the modern society. Diverse families are positive in the sense that it enhances ability to gain agreement, endorse ideas, and encourage individuals to grow outside their culture. On the same note, diverse families create curiosity to learn more in society. Consistent and two-way communication is encouraged through diverse families. In the general, the trend towards diverse families is a positive thing.
Analytically, if the trend changed towards traditional families the rights of women will be jeopardized. Women rights will be compromised since pre-World War II era was characterized by women oppression. The opportunities, roles and opportunities of women will change. The rights of women to be part of the workforce will be eliminated. Women for many years have fought for equal rights in terms of employment and opportunities. Women will probably be dominated by men in various ways (Aulette, 2002). In fact, women rights will be violated in the sense that they will be forced to be caregivers at home rather than joining men in the workforce. Women will not have freedom to dress the way they want since they could be forced by their husbands to be on typical housedress. Women will have minimal rights on issues of family decisions and leadership. The traditional families tend to oppress the rights of women in various perspectives.
References
Aulette, R. J. (2002). Changing American families. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Kendall, D. (2014). Sociology in Our Times 10th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill
Rosenfeld, M. J. (2007). The age of independence: Interracial unions, same-sex unions, and the changing American family. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press.
