Canadian Family Enetering 21st
Canadian Family Enetering 21stLike everything else, "family" has an infinite number of definitions. One definition of family is "any group of people united by marriage, blood or adoption, constituting a single household, interacting and communicating with each other, and creating and maintaining a common culture" (Hales 14). Many contemporary sociologists have expanded this definition to include people whom or may not be related and those who for of their lives live together, satisfying their emotional needs and relating to each other to fulfill wants and desires. Regardless of the definitions, everyone has his or her own idea of what a family is. Some feel that family life "is not what it used to be" and have a very negative view on the subject. Others more optimistic argue that families are not dying but are being reborn in new forms and styles. Society is ever changing therefore, so is the family institution. The old "Leave it to Beaver" view on family life is being quickly overtaken with a new millennium, where there is no "set" standard norm. Although the causes and effects of the breakdown of the Canadian family unit in the 21st century are numerous, there are many ways in which families are developing and adapting for the future.
The family is considered the most basic social institution. Often the significance of problems that occur within family is underestimated. Families are being increasingly jeopardized by a number of social issues. In 1991, approximately one-quarter of Canadian households consisted of only one person (Hagedorn 396). Although over the past twenty-five years the number of marriages has decreased significantly. Most people in Canada marry at least once in their lifetime. "Most marriages are characterized by homogamy and by inequality in domestic labor and marital power" (Hagedorn 396). Therefore, many people are turning to divorce or common law relationships as an alternative. Divorce can be an extremely traumatic experience for anyone, especially for a young child. In a telephone interview, Zachary Yung age eight, he stated "I don�t know why my parents don�t live together, I think they don�t love each other anymore, I am afraid they don�t love me as much too". For most children, divorce means an end to a family they have grown to know, love and become accustomed to. For many children, the concept of divorce is hard to grasp, and like any substantial change, requires a large adjustment period. Children whose parents who get divorced may grow up having difficulties committing or trusting partners. Eventually, however, most children overcome these deficiencies and go on to be successful in future relationships.
Reports of domestic violence have increased significantly in the past twenty years, partially due to the fact there is a great public outcry towards men who beat their wives and children. A shocking 68 percent of assaults on mothers are witnessed by children (Leighton 132).
Canadians like to imagine the family as a refuge from the stresses and strains of the outside world. While this...
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