1.) Chapter 3 is titled “The Family in Historical Perspective.” True to its title, the chapter covers a large range of types of families – the Colonial family; early American families from Non-European Cultures; Industrialization, Urbanization, and European Immigration (1820-1930); and the Modern family. The chapter continues discussing families through the Golden Fifties and 1960s. Each major section has various subsections, including marriage, divorce, family structure, work, social class, children, gender roles, health, prejudice, discrimination, and race.
2.) As I read the chapter, I came across some interesting points. The first is that the Puritans believed that “the community had a right to intervene in families that did not perform their duties properly.” This interested me because I couldn’t help think about how today, if someone even makes a comment about how someone else is raising his or her child, the parent gets offended. I’m sure at some point the Puritans were like that but for the most part it seems like they were all looking out for each other’s kids so that they behaved the way they were taught to. Also, I was intrigued by the idea of bundling. I find it pretty funny actually that the parents actually thought the board would stay in place throughout the night, after they went to sleep. Clearly it didn’t work because not even two paragraphs later it’s said that “premarital sex was common” and that “out-of-wedlock births were also fairly common.” So despite their “efforts,” the young adults still had sex. Finally, I just want to say that I found it pretty funny how the Zuni divorce each other (page 59).
3.) As I was reading, I came across an inset on page 71. It talks about soldiers returning from World War II and the effects that had on the family. My Dad is in the Army and he just recently returned from a year of duty in Iraq, so this inset truly interested me. In class, I would like to discuss what people think about how the family unit operates while the soldier is away and the effect on the family when the soldier returns.
I have never went through something like this, so I cannot imagine how hard it must be. Just guessing from what we have already read, I would think that the family would continue on as it does before, but definitely with an aspect of their lives missing. Every time dinner is set at the table, the mom has to remember not to set a place for her husband, etc. I think it would truly be very difficult. Also, I would think that it would be very difficult to transition back into "normalcy" once the husband returns from his tour.
ReplyDelete--Bonnie Noel
Kzzandra,
ReplyDeleteMy brother is also in the Army and he has not yet been deployed. They are thinking that his unit will keep deployed sometime in 2012. I don't even like thinking about the idea of him leaving. I don't know what it is like, but I could only imagine. I talk to my brother quite often, and the thought of not being able to pick up the phone at any given time during the day to call him is so unsettling to me. I think we often take for granted what we have right in front of us.The little things, such as picking up a phone and calling your loved one is a normal daily routine. I have to beleive that you will have to adapt to changing the little things in your life while praying and hoping they return safetly back home. It has to be an unsettling feeling. I would have to imagine that there will always be a little part of you missing until you know that they are back home. I know that I have a better appreciation for our men and women in the Armed Forces becuase of my brother. People have to realize that they are not only effected, but the family is also effected as well. It takes very special men and women to do what they do.
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS <3
yikes! Spelled your name wrong kAzzandra! My fault =)
ReplyDelete