Running Header: Nuclear Heterogeneous Family

Nuclear Heterogeneous Family

[Name of the Institute]

Nuclear Heterogeneous Family

Introduction

The only consistent fact regarding the growth of the human society over the ages has been the element of constant change. Every facet of the human life is bound to experience a certain amount of change as the environment and the social factors evolve over time (Klinger, 1998, pp. 33). The change in the society is therefore an expected phenomenon and an unsurprising process. The contemporary society has been a result of the exponential changes in the human society throughout the twentieth and the twenty first century. The dreams of the 19th century were aptly realized in the following era, and the human society had to face some of its greatest adversities in the shape of the world wars, were experienced during this period. Even these adversities contributed in the technological progress and helped the human societies to adopt a process of continual change. The impact of change has transformed several facets of the human society such as religion, technology, cultures, politics and even advanced weaponry (Ryan et Al, 1999, pp. 1518). One of the most significant changes in the human society has been the change in the dynamics of the family.

Survival of the Nuclear Family: In the Heartless Modern Society

The traditional nuclear family has been a strong cultural cornerstone of the western society, where it has provided the society with the majority of its moral and ethical standards. The members of the family find solace and peace through the bonds of the family (Papero, 1990, pp. 106). This traditional form of the family is however facing several threats by the modern society. The general shift of the mindset of the society from the group perspective to an individualistic approach has caused several dilemmas for the nuclear family entity. The society has moved from viewing teamwork and shared values; as the as its cultural foundation, to the concepts of individuality and cynicism. The world has become a heartless place, where every facet of life is measured by its economic success and personal gains. The modern society has brought forward a new way of living, which is essentially based on the individualistic desires of the people (Wong & Fry, 2004, pp. 371). In such an environment, the concept of the “Nuclear Family” is facing several threats. The society has devised alternative forms of partnerships that are philosophically opposite to the concept of the family; and their modern lifestyles do not encourage the practice of marriage.

In this paper I will critically analyze the growing trends of the modern society which have led to the decrease in the nuclear families in the society, and highlight the factors which have caused the people to adopt alternative forms of partnerships. The combination of factors such as globalization, better divorce related legal frameworks, practical forms of new partnerships, women empowerment and individualism; have all amalgamated to shift the mindset of the society from the nuclear families, to an individualistic and self oriented ...