ipl-logo

Decline In Family Institutions

946 Words4 Pages

The current decline in mediating institutions is unsustainable because it creates a dangerous positive feedback loop of greater federal government power and individualism and weakens the very institutions that are necessary for creating a free society. Without middle institutions, people are left “without even local, interpersonal instructions to fall back on, since these have now been enervated for a century” (100). People now instead turn to government solutions instead of intuitions such as family, work, faith, and community. Increasingly, society can be viewed as “consisting only of individuals and a state” (100). This is especially difficult for low-income Americans as they are “more isolated- economically, culturally, and socially- than …show more content…

The family is the “first and most crucial institution of moral formation” (203). Being a part of a family teaches responsibility that is crucial for members living in a free society. It creates “individuals freely discharging their responsibilities” which is “the very foundation of a free society” (203). The decline in family stability threatens this responsibility and therefore threatens a free society. The family also provides many economic and emotional benefits. Children born into two-parent homes are much better off than children from single-parent homes. Marriage and families are also one of the greatest defenses against poverty as it provides more financial stability. The breakdown of family causes many problems of poverty and tension that can be seen today. A continuation of the current trend will eventually lead to a breakdown of one of the foundations of a free …show more content…

Community gives us “specific tangible connections with particular others” (181). By going out and making a difference in the lives of the people around us through common actions, “it can help us see the limits of both radical individualism and hyper-centralization” (204). This is one of the most important factors of community and civic engagement because it actively combats the two main factors attacking mediating institutions. It is also important for the helping people to learn to put their freedom in practice (204). This can be used to prepare people “for the burdens of liberty” (204). The decline in community prevents us from seeing the solutions needed to combat the problems of our times and creates individuals who are not ready for the burdens of a free society, making the current trend

Show More
Related

  • Anna Quindlen Speech Summary

    869 Words  | 4 Pages

    Community in the dictionary means a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. Everyone belongs to a community or considers themselves a part of one, however communities tends to take away individualism. Anna Quindlen, author of “Commencement Speech at Mount Holyoke College”, spoke to the graduating class and delivered a speech on the effects of society on individuals. The purpose of this was to lead and guide the graduates into a happier life. Being true to self can only bring happiness, conforming to mold never designed to fit will only cause discomfort and unhappiness.

    Read More

  • Summary Of The Working Poor Invisible In America

    1691 Words  | 7 Pages

    David K. Shipler’s The Working Poor: Invisible in America describes the low-income Americans face. He notes that they are both impacted by the social, political and economic environment in which they live and a cause of their own poverty. Shipler makes his point through conversations with the working poor, their employers and those who are trying to help them break the cycle of poverty. He successfully argues that the solution to the problems faced by this group is that everyone needs to work together, government, private organizations and the working poor themselves, to change what is wrong with the system. But while his point is valid, the book, which claims to be objective in terms of its politics is not, and Shipler’s “us” versus “them”

    Read More

  • Federal Power Dbq

    1182 Words  | 5 Pages

    The United States-- a country of economic strength, freedom, and an endless sea of opportunity promises all of its citizens the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and happiness. This promise coupled with the hope of a brighter future attracted those from all walks of life. It also appealed to those who suffered political and religious persecution ; overall its divided branches of governing gave off the illusion of a fair and just political policy. Thus, when hit with the slightest of problems, the public was quick to turn to the government for a solution. The increase in governmental power can be linked to the ratification of the Constitution – which aimed at protecting the rights of individuals and limiting governmental powers.

    Read More

  • Familism In Latino Families

    548 Words  | 3 Pages

    Moreover, this is because, “women are more likely to have a relational orientation than men” (Campos, Aquilera, Ullman, & Schetter, 2014, p. 192). Women are usually the ones that maintain the family bonds and benefit more of the closeness and support from the family. Nevertheless, women still feel more compromised of keeping the bond, and if an issue surges they are more likely to stress due to the conflict (Campos, Aquilera, Ullman, & Schetter, 2014). • Around the world, it appears familism is coming to an end. What are the economic, political and cultural implications of the changes underway in the traditional family unit?

    Read More

  • Derek Thompson A World Without Work

    1284 Words  | 6 Pages

    In the late 19th and early 20th century, family was the foundation and core of society in America (Hussung). During this period of time, the wife was in charge of raising the children and cleaning the house, while the husband worked and provided protection for the family. A strong family unit was something highly regarded and looked upon in society.

    Read More

  • Are Families Dangerous?

    717 Words  | 3 Pages

    Every single person in a family lies to make it seem like they are living the American dream. “Are Families Dangerous?” by Barbara Ehrenreich describes perfectly why families are the biggest threat to the human race. Our society’s desire for a need to have perfect families is overshadowing the truth

    Read More

  • Resilience In Octavia E. Butler's Parable Of The Sower

    1145 Words  | 5 Pages

    When no influence is strong enough to unify people, they divide. They struggle” (91). During times of instability, the “influence” that once brought people together is long forgotten, people only look out for themselves. This stimulates the division of like people and as a result, the community struggles. She examines every person around her to make sense of her thoughts and values and to find her place in the world.

    Read More

  • The Role Of Community In Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window

    1132 Words  | 5 Pages

    Society is fooled into believing in the applied connection among people. Benedict Anderson’s idea of imagined communities emphasizes that, “… the members of even the smallest nation will never know most of their fellow-members, meet them, or even hear of them, yet in the minds of each lives the image of their communion” (5). Members of neighborhoods, cities, states, or countries feel a sense of unity with other members for living in the same place or maybe having the same basic values, but true unity comes from understanding the similarities among each other, considering the impact a person can have on another, and caring about lives. Recognizing the importance of lives being socially intertwined is necessary to sustain a considerate society.

    Read More

  • Oryx And Crake Essay

    893 Words  | 4 Pages

    Although private communities do not seem significant, they are creating a deeper divide between the rich and the poor. This divide will lead to more conflict in the

    Read More

  • Summary Of John Stuart Mill's Consideration On Representative Government

    1128 Words  | 5 Pages

    If people have no place to voice their will or take part in deciding their own destiny, the community might grow disinterested and passive in their relationship with their government. Mill believes this is problematic for society because history, as he sees it, has shown that more democratic societies have more ‘energetic, and ‘developed’ societies as well as more ‘go ahead characters’ not seen in more totalitarian societies. Yet, this criticism might fail to cover a deeper problem of disinterest; it might lead to a level of moral deficiency as well. Mill fears that a loss of ability and activity, leads to a society losing its sense of communal responsibility and social justice. In their aloofness, people might be less inclined to believe that they have any responsibility to society since society has ceased to have any rights or purpose under absolute authority.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Family Inequality

    1429 Words  | 6 Pages

    According to Cohen and MacCartney (2004: 181), inequality is related to families and their compositions, because family compositions may be the cause or consequence of various forms of inequality. This paper will touch on four forms of inequality linked to families and their compositions. Firstly, families reflect inequalities, because within society, there is an unequal distribution of various resources ranging from economic, social and political, which can ultimately affect the accessibility of some family forms (Cohen & MacCartney, 2004: 181). For instance, low incomes increase the likelihood that underprivileged people will live with extended families (family group that includes parents, children, relatives, in-laws, friends and other individuals who share an emotional bond), even when they would prefer the privacy of a more secluded group of members, such as those experienced by higher income families and households (Cohen & MacCartney, 2004: 181; Extended family, n.d.:1). Hence, the accessibility of resources varies across families and households, with some having access to more resources in relation to others, which is why inequality has the ability to adversely affect families and households.

    Read More

  • Sociological Perspective Family

    1672 Words  | 7 Pages

    Through the socialisation of children, the family reproduces both labour power and a false ideology which keeps the capitalists system going. ‘Families thus support the concentration of wealth and reproduce the class structure in each succeeding generation (Macionis and Plummer 2002:440). Engles indicated that families turn women into the sexual and economic property of men. Woman perform unpaid work in the home that would otherwise cost a lot to those who benefit from it. Conflict theorists have seen the family as a social arrangement benefiting men more than women, allowing men to maintain a position of power.

    Read More

  • Advantages And Disadvantages Of American Families Today

    1040 Words  | 5 Pages

    American Families Today The American family has undergone many changes since the 1900’s. More so, in the past 40 years, the nuclear family seen dramatic changes and has been described as deteriorating. There has been a dramatic rise in divorce, single parent households and child poverty. Studies have shown that children growing up in poverty-stricken single parent households are more likely to be affected well into adulthood. While this is the case, people are also living longer, and families are accommodating this change by living with relatives allowing for more bonding time then in previous generations.

    Read More

  • Modern Family Case Study

    1217 Words  | 5 Pages

    Introduction In this case study, it analyse how the concept of family has changed in the past 20 years as it will be depicting modern family forms and past norms. It is important to look at how families have developed throughout the years up until the 21st century as we compare the two and elaborate on the difference and what makes it so significant. In this case study, it contrast and compare the television series Modern family which is a 21st century concept of family and The Simpsons which was adapted 27 years ago and how things have changed with family dynamics and what is the norm now which was not the norm years ago.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Fatherless America By David Blankenhorn

    637 Words  | 3 Pages

    Fatherless America was written by David Blankenhorn. The state of the nation with families without fathers is surely becoming the norm. This article goes into detail about the research Mr. Blakenhorn, conducted to come to the conclusion that people who were born in the 1970’s are now have grown up to have households without fathers. As a result of fatherless homes, children are not helping the current society. The article also discusses the imagine of what fatherhood should be and how it has changed over the years.

    Read More

More about Decline In Family Institutions

Open Document