the nuclear family is a term and concept that emerged in the 1940s, and is something that really disturbs me. it's this notion of "this is what a family is supposed to be, what it's suppose to look like, what's acceptable". since then, the family unit has changed dramatically so that very few people actually live within a nuclear family.
when i was 10 years old, my family no longer fit that box. when i was 21 i moved out on my own as a single independent woman, and didn't fit that box either. in my late-20s i still did not fit that description, and at many times felt like a freak. even now, i wouldn't say i'm part of a nuclear family. i'm not suggesting that the nuclear family is a bad thing, but rather it's not an accurate reflection of society as it exists. i'd really like to submit a motion to elminate the nuclear family as the golden calf of society.
i believe in community. i believe that friends and neighbours, church families and extended families are key to living fully and richly. there's no one way that that should look or function, but being immersed in community is essential to balanced living. to know and be known is one of the greatest experiences in life, and the nuclear family is not the only place that can exist. in fact, many nuclear families have no sense of comradery or accountability at all.
i do want for brendan and i to be a two-parent family some day. i think that's great and the ideal way to parent. but there is richness in having grandparents, aunts and uncles in the picture too. to having adult-friends for kids to bond with, and neighbours to engage with. i'm looking forward to the deep and meaningful life-long friendships :)
when i was 10 years old, my family no longer fit that box. when i was 21 i moved out on my own as a single independent woman, and didn't fit that box either. in my late-20s i still did not fit that description, and at many times felt like a freak. even now, i wouldn't say i'm part of a nuclear family. i'm not suggesting that the nuclear family is a bad thing, but rather it's not an accurate reflection of society as it exists. i'd really like to submit a motion to elminate the nuclear family as the golden calf of society.
i believe in community. i believe that friends and neighbours, church families and extended families are key to living fully and richly. there's no one way that that should look or function, but being immersed in community is essential to balanced living. to know and be known is one of the greatest experiences in life, and the nuclear family is not the only place that can exist. in fact, many nuclear families have no sense of comradery or accountability at all.
i do want for brendan and i to be a two-parent family some day. i think that's great and the ideal way to parent. but there is richness in having grandparents, aunts and uncles in the picture too. to having adult-friends for kids to bond with, and neighbours to engage with. i'm looking forward to the deep and meaningful life-long friendships :)
don't remember them this cold.
2 comments:
I second all that...
Me too.
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