fam·i·ly
ˈfam(ə)lē/
noun
noun: family;
plural noun: families
1.
1.
a group consisting of
parents and children living together in a household.
o a group of people related to one another by
blood or marriage.
"friends and
family can provide support"
synonyms:
|
relatives, relations, kin, next of kin, kinsfolk, kindred, one's
(own) flesh and blood, nearest and dearest, people, connections; More
|
o the children of a person or couple.
"she has the sole
responsibility for a large family"
synonyms:
|
children, little
ones, youngsters; More
|
o a person or people related to one and so to be
treated with a special loyalty or intimacy.
"I could not turn
him away, for he was family"
o a group of people united in criminal activity.
o BIOLOGY
a principal taxonomic
category that ranks above genus and below order, usually ending in -idae (in
zoology) or -aceae (in botany).
synonyms:
|
o a group of objects united by a significant
shared characteristic.
o MATHEMATICS
a group of curves or
surfaces obtained by varying the value of a constant in the equation generating
them.
2.
2.
all the descendants of
a common ancestor.
"the house has
been owned by the same family for 300 years"
synonyms:
|
ancestry, parentage, pedigree, genealogy, background, family tree,descent, lineage, bloodline, blood, extraction, stock; More
|
o a race or group of peoples from a common
stock.
o all the languages ultimately derived from a
particular early language, regarded as a group.
"the Austronesian
language family"
There are
clearly many ways to define family. The
dictionary has many as I have shown above.
It’s also clear that our American culture has many definitions of
family. The typical family in America
has evolved and continues to evolve. The
depiction of what a typical family is and how they interact as seen on TV is
very stereotypical. The messages, family
members, situations, and drama seems to intend to be as close to reality as
possible, but many times it is a long-shot from reality. The themes on the TV shows are very stereotypical. Though we have made strides in our pop culture with such shows like Modern Family, Parenthood, and Blackish, as more recent TV shows that depict what a more true family life in today's American culture is like.
What is a
typical parenting scenario in American culture?
In the year 2015 I don’t know if we can say that there is a “typical”
family in America. In the past in
American culture we generally assumed that a “family” consisted of a married
man and woman and their children in a house.
I think of the picket white fence American dream, and “Leave it Beaver”. “Typical” meant dad went to work from 9 to 5,
mom stayed home to clean, cook and raise the children. The children obeyed discipline from dad, and
comfort from mom. I would say that the
basics of what it is and means to be a parent in general has not changed but
the roles and who fills the roles has changed.
We can see this through divorced families, single parents, teenage
parents, grandparents raising children, and many other situations that exist in
our current culture. A parent is a
caretaker, it should not matter who takes that role, as long as there is
someone in that role in a child’s life.
A parent is responsible for a child financially and emotionally. A parent supports a child’s physical, mental
and social learning.
In reflecting
on my own childhood and my family I can relate to the Walls family in some ways. I did feel emotionally connected to some of
Jeannette’s struggles. I do not pretend
that I had it anywhere as bad as Jeannette did.
I do not feel comfortable sharing which parts of the dysfunction of the
Walls family that I connect with, but I connect.
Today, I have
my own family and pray every day that I can be the best version of myself so
that I can be the best mother, wife, sister, daughter, aunt and friend. I work hard, and study hard so that I can
ensure my children are supported financially and emotionally. I play hard with my children, laugh with
them, cry with them, teach them and love them.
My faith and my husband allow me the support I need to be the best in
all the roles I have in life. I hope to
be able to do the best I can to be the role model my children need. To me family is everything, the basis for
your path in life, and I hope I am building a good foundation in my children so
that they follow a good path.
Katie,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more when you said "In the year 2015 I don’t know if we can say that there is a “typical” family in America". I had the hardest time figuring out a show that truly captures the "typical" American family. I mean, there are so many factors -- but maybe that's what makes shows like Parenthood, Modern Family, and Blackish some of the best choices: there is such an array of different dynamics within each immediate family that it makes the extended family more relatable.
Alyssa
Hi Katie!
ReplyDeleteAs I begin to read your blog, it sounds right from your heart, Family is everything, and I agree! We cannot choose our family but we can embrace what we learn and grow. We take the best of what we have learned and try to instill into our children for a better life. Our children are our future! It sounds as if you have a great support system with your husband. With family, prayer, good work ethics, values and your love, I am sure you will achieve your goals! You are a great Mom!
KA
I, also, can relate to certain aspects. :) Makes us stronger!! :)
ReplyDeleteFamily- yes I am blessed to have my blood ties, but family is also those who have been placed in our path and bonded. Family = those who care most deeply and have our backs 24/7. Yep! Family can be built as we move through life and it doesn't matter how big or small it is; having 1 or 2 people by your side- anything is possible!