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PERCEIVED vs INFORMED CONCEPTS OF FAMILY DEVELOPMENT
Liberty University
EDC:815
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Abstract
The objective of this assignment is to show a capacity to understand and recognize components
that contribute to a better understanding of how families are formed. With the help of this
assignment, the student will make an effort to provide a distinction of personally observed
perspectives of family structure, like the positions of adult males and females, the roles of
children, societal expectations in comparing to modern cultural roles, and the roles of religion.
This will be accomplished by analyzing the roles of adult males and females in the context of the
paper. This article will give insight into the contrasts between what is seen from a personal
position and what is provided in the book, in addition to providing individual views of family
development that have been seen by the author. This material will provide an examination of the
factors that led to the formation of the personally held viewpoint as it now stands and as well as a
comparison of that opinion to the factual perspectives presented in the relevant literature. The
knowledge that was gained from reading the book will be matched to what is seen from a
personal vantage point.
Keywords: Family Role, Development, Religion, Sexuality
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Introduction /The Family
The concept of a family as well as what it entails in modern times has evolved throughout
history. For instance, in today's society, one does not necessarily need to be married to have
children and bring them up. It is possible to look at the decision to have a family as one that is
made alone by the individual. According to Garland (2012), having an understanding of the
history of one's family may help one comprehend how the viewpoints and concerns of other
people have been molded by the circumstances of their period as well as their own life
experiences. This demonstrates how restricted your perspectives are. Why is it essential to have
an understanding of what families are and how they have evolved in the twenty-first century?
Individuals need to have an understanding of the dynamics of their own family to assist other
families that could benefit from family therapy and to assist in the parenting of their children.
Families were categorized based on whether or not they had married parents, stepparents, parents
who lived together, moms who had been married before, mothers who had never been married,
or mothers who had never married at all.
In America, nuptial was traditionally seen as a holy union among a male and a female,
who, after some time had passed, would normally start their own family by producing children of
their own. According to my most recent analysis of the state of matrimony in the US, the concept
of marriage has gotten so convoluted that sociologists are having difficulty articulating it
accurately. It is important to be aware that the institution of marriage is regulated by several
different legal frameworks in the United States. For instance, whereas other jurisdictions do not,
certain states accept common-law marriages and marriages between people of the same sexual
orientation. People in the United States who make the conscious decision to raise children
together constitute the modern-day American family.
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It is no longer necessary for the formation of a family for individuals to have the
individual goal of either having children or participating in sexual activity or both. Garland
(2012) starts by making the case that how one defines family not only names reality but also
alters reality. If we get the impression that a family tie does fact exist, then that connection is
real. Love is a broad topic that may be explored, even though the fact that it is a four-letter word
that, for many people, is hard to articulate and openly express. According to Wright (1997), the
purpose of marriage should be to create a "one body, a unity," which should be a link of love that
reflects the love that Christ has for his people. Wright also stated that marriage should be a tie of
sacrificial love where the husband and wife have become "one body, a unity."
As seen in history
Back in the day, the traditional model of a family consisted of a father who worked
outside the house to provide for his family and a mother who stayed at home to raise the
children. For many years, the dominant culture in the United States upheld the narrative that the
conventional family consisted of a husband, a wife, and at least one kid. Because there is no
longer a coherent definition of the American family due to the ongoing transformation and
adaptation of the family structure in today's society, family narratives can no longer be used to
explain or explain away family dynamics. Throughout history, children were subjected to strict
regulations and forms of punishment that they had to follow. According to Balswrick (2014), this
indicates that the disagreement that all too often manifests itself amid the middle of the pressure
that is associated with youth has to be understood in the context of the pressure which is also
imposed on the parents. Because I was aware that a stressful environment and relationship may
be the consequence when both children and parents are coping with challenges at the same time,
it piqued my curiosity to discover how the research for this study was carried out on time.
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As seen in current conflicts
The traditional family compromise of a working father and a mother who stays at home
to care for the children is no longer the standard since more moms are entering the labor market.
Alterations, over time, in the needs, beliefs, and expressed viewpoints of family members may
give rise to conflict. Relationships between spouses, parents, children, siblings, members of
nuclear families and in-laws, as well as members of extended families, are all susceptible to
change. (2021) Since more women are entering the workforce nowadays, the husband is no
longer the only provider for the family in today's contemporary households. When both parents
or just one parent has several jobs, the children are often enrolled in after-school programs or
daycare so that they may get enough care. In addition to this, many families are now comprised
of individuals living in separate homes, with the father occupying one of the properties and the
mother and children occupying another.
Additionally, This is a pattern that is rather prevalent in today's culture. The number of
persons who are simultaneously involved in a variety of romantic partnerships has increased in
both the United States and Europe (Sassler & Lichter, 2020). One such obvious problem that
emerged as a direct consequence of the traditional structure of the family was the fact that men
were traditionally given more power than women. Even among workers, males make far more
money than women do. The disparity in pay between men and women in the United States has
shrunk over the last several decades, but the authors Howard, Habashi, and Reed (2021) argue
that it has not been removed completely. This is the case even though a greater number of
women are working in jobs that have historically been reserved for males and the educational
attainment of women has exceeded that of men.
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As seen in what it is becoming
The growth of a family is not a singular event; rather, it is remarkable that it is ever-
evolving as time goes on. In the United States of America today, the number of homes consisting
of both biological parents is decreasing, while divorce, remarriage, and cohabitation are on the
increase. And today's families are smaller than they were in the past for several reasons,
including the rise of one-parent homes and the general decline in the birthrate. Not only are
people in the United States having fewer children, as well as the dynamics of what it means to be
a parent have changed. There was a time when the responsibilities of father, mother, and/or
child(ren) in a family were definitively established; however, this concept is currently up for
debate in politics, cultures, and faiths. Culture and ideas shared within a family provide the
groundwork for how we learn to love and interact with one another as members of that family.
Determining a family by its biological composition, which is the family into which an individual
is born, and family procreation, which is the process by which a family is formed through
marriage are two definitions that have become contentious in contemporary politics, social
norms, cultural practices, and religious beliefs. Families are immediately being created also by
individuals who already have strong links and direct connections with one other, such as groups
from the same church, adoption, schoolmates, teammates, or close friends. Examples of these
types of groupings include: The paradigm of partner selection that is commonly seen in
American society today has undergone a profound shift. Some people choose a partner not to get
married and have children; rather, they do so out of a need for personal connection and out of a
dread of being alone. It is no longer accurate to say that the conventional family model, in which
fathers go out to work and moms remain at home, constitutes the norm.
Family Roles
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Before, the role and responsibilities of the husband, the wife, and the children were very
clear. When you took on a role, you were just expected to know what to do. For example, as a
mother, it was your job to stay at home and take care of your husband, children, and home. If you
were the husband, your only job was to make sure your family had food. God's plan when he
made man and woman was to make them like this. In the end, the man should love his wife as
Christ loved the church. He should obey God, teach his children right from wrong, and be in
charge of his family. In Ephesians 6:4, it says, "Fathers, don't make your kids angry. Instead,
raise them with the discipline and teaching of the Lord." The woman's place is to help her
husband, and she should respect and obey him as if he were God. Proverbs 12:4, says, "A good
wife is her husband's crown, but one who makes him look bad is like rottenness in his bones."
Children are gifts from God, and they need to be shown the right way to live. Proverbs 22:6,
says, "Teach a child the right way to go, and he won't leave it even when he's old." Women are
now equal participants in both home life and their career. According to Köstenberger and Jones
(2010), family life flowed outwards from the father as its core, much like the spokes of a wheel.
Women were presented as caretakers and housewives, particularly caring for their children.
According to Balswick and Balswick (2014), males were expected to undertake the majority of
the hard labor since they were bigger and stronger than women.
It is still assumed of children in today's society that they will provide care for their aging
parents, that they will complete their education, that they will find gainful employment, that they
will get married, and that they will have children of their own, although these events do not
necessarily have to take place in the order listed. According to Kostenberger and Jones (2010),
the requirement of children and young people to respect their parents is the single most essential
responsibility they have. Some men stay at home with their children while their wives pursue
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careers outside the home. Other ladies are the primary providers for their families and work
outside the home as well. Although the Bible does not give a step-by-step sequence for
prioritizing family connection priorities, we may surely recognize principles in the Scriptures
that could aid us in prioritizing our family connections and find them helpful.
The Role of Religion/Spirituality in the Family
Through uncountable generations, spirituality has served as the driving force behind the
healing process. This power is rooted in cultural and religious traditions (McGoldrick & Carter,
2016). Those who are dealing with tyranny, discrimination, poverty, or ordeal may turn to their
spiritual beliefs as a valuable resource to turn to when times are difficult. This includes those
who have lost their path, who are experiencing homelessness, and who are suffering from all of
the above. A person may draw on their spirituality at any point in their life when they need
guidance or support. According to a body of academic research, adult growth is significantly
impacted by spirituality on its own, apart from religious practice (Sinnott, 2002). Recent surveys,
as cited by McGoldrick and Carter (2016), indicate that sixty percent of Americans consider
themselves to be either highly religious or somewhat religious, while sixteen percent declare that
they have no preference for religious affiliation. In the past, spirituality served as the bedrock
upon which the family and our nation were built. In the past, schools would begin each day with
a prayer, but in modern times, we have removed God from every area of our life.
The present status of our nation is a direct consequence of society's behavior, as there is
no God, religion, or spirituality left to guide us. God cannot hear your prayers because of "your
iniquities"; "your misdeeds" has "covered his face" so that he can't see." Today, if your beliefs
vary from those of your neighbors, you're likely to be met with hostility. In today's world,
spirituality and religion are considered taboo. It's important to keep your faith in Jesus, not in
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human society or in the accomplishments of other people since only he has the capacity to
restore things to their original state. Now is a critical moment to maintain one's faith and not give
up hope.
Personal Application
Before I read Perspective on the Family, I thought that the traditional family consisted of
a man, a woman, and their children, in addition to blood relations, descendants, and ancestors.
However, after reading the book, I realized that this definition is very narrow. I've been close
with a group of people via my religion, and I consider them to be my true family. Whoever God
has connected you to and with whom He has formed a tight and loving bond automatically
becomes a member of your family. No one should judge the ideas held by a family or seek to
define those values on their behalf. If a person's family consists of only them parenting foster
children, then you should feel free to judge them whatever you choose. So be it if someone
considers their husband and wife, in addition to their beloved animal companion, to be their
family Marriage is not necessary in today's society to have children or raise them; this is one
example of how the modern world has transformed the traditional structure of families. Whether
or whether one has children is a choice that each individual makes for themselves. The traditions
and ideals that are upheld within a family provide the foundation upon which we gain the ability
to love and relate to one another. To the best of my knowledge, the fundamental components of a
family in Garland are derived from the concept of family integration as well as Christian social
services.
My perspective on the conventional family unit has evolved to become more positive as
time has gone on. My assumption has always been that there are several possible configurations
for a family unit to take. On the other hand, I did not think that it could be shown. I thought that
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if we went to church consistently, it would help strengthen the bonds that unite us as a family.
Because of the robust bond that my family and I have developed with our church family, we have
been able to improve both our mental and spiritual well-being and better fulfill the purpose of
our lives. I was brought up to respect and adhere to the principles found in the Bible. According
to Garland (2012), the members of the family of faith are those individuals who have made the
decision to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and who look out for one another. According to
Balswick and Balswick (2014), "relationality" is the basic way people reflect God's image. As a
result, it is only logical that the Godhead's Trinitarian partnership serves as a model for
collaboration. This is because "relationality" is the first method humans mirror God's image.
Conclusion
Every component that makes up a family unit constitutes its system, and for the family
unit as a whole to function well, all of its subsystems need to operate as they were intended to.
According to Balswick (2014) has said, "to grasp any system, one must begin by identifying the
multiple layers that are included inside that system" (p 23). Parental figures have the ethical and
moral obligation to decide to provide a good example for their children by leading by example
and instructing their families, to the best of their capabilities, on how to behave appropriately
within the context of a family unit. Even though every family is different in terms of size,
appearance, and economic position, they all have the same affection for one another.
The last thing I want to say on the topic of family is that it is essential to keep in mind
that just because someone else's family does not seem the same as yours does not mean that their
family is any less of a family than yours. The topic of the family should never revolve around
factors such as a person's race, sexual orientation, number of children, or lack of children,
regardless of whether the children are biological or adopted. According to Tasker and Grandville
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(2011), several studies, for instance, have demonstrated that lesbian co-mothers are just as
engaged in the rearing of their children as the fathers in straight families, if not more so.
According to what is said in James 4:12, there is only one lawgiver and judge, and this one is the
only one who has the ability to both save and destroy.
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References
Balswick, J. O. (2014). The family: A Christian perspective on the contemporary home. Baker
Academic
Deal, R. (2012). Dating and the single parent. Bethany House
Fiona Tasker & Julia Granville (2011) Children's Views of Family Relationships in Lesbian Led
Families, Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 7:1-2, 182- 199, DOI:
10.1080/1550428X.2011.540201
Garland, D. S. R. (2012). Family ministry: a comprehensive guide. IVP Academic.
McGoldrick, M., Carter, E. A., & Garcia-Preto, N. (2016). The expanding family life cycle:
Individual, family, and social perspectives. Boston: Pearson
Howard, H., Habashi, M., & Reed, J. (2021). The Gender Wage Gap in Research Libraries.
How Can Spirituality Affect Your Family's Health? ( 2021). 2021, from
https://www.rchsd.org/health-articles/how-can-spirituality-affect-your-familys-health/.
(2021). Retrieved 26 May 2022, from https://academic.oup.com/sf/article/91/1/45/2235871.
Sinnott, J. D. (2002). Introduction: Special Issue on Spirituality and Adult Development, Part III.
Journal of Adult Development, 9(2), 95–96.
https://doiorg.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1023/A:1015763628097
Wright, H. & Roberts. (1997) Before we say, "I do." A marriage preparation guide for couples.
Harvest Publishers (2019).
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Yarhouse, M. A., & Sells, J. N. (2017). Family therapies: A comprehensive Christian appraisal.
Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic.
