Difference between revisions of "426--Week 1 Questions/Comments--Thursday"

After rambling on in the paragraph above, I realized that I was generalizing, as were Mintz and Kellogg in their intro. Though the authors bring up some good points on the pros and cons of the modern family, they only describe many but not all families. MAybe back in the 80's family life was crumbling as the baby-boomers started families of their own, but I know that many contemporary families, including my own, are very firmly rooted in traditional values. The authors also speak of a decrease in personal responsibilty and a rising wave of selfishness in our society, which I believe is true for the most part, but some families, and I am happy to say my own family as well, are given a bad and false rap in the generalizations of the authors.- Celia

After rambling on in the paragraph above, I realized that I was generalizing, as were Mintz and Kellogg in their intro. Though the authors bring up some good points on the pros and cons of the modern family, they only describe many but not all families. MAybe back in the 80's family life was crumbling as the baby-boomers started families of their own, but I know that many contemporary families, including my own, are very firmly rooted in traditional values. The authors also speak of a decrease in personal responsibilty and a rising wave of selfishness in our society, which I believe is true for the most part, but some families, and I am happy to say my own family as well, are given a bad and false rap in the generalizations of the authors.- Celia

The opening quote of the book by Bronislaw Malinowski I think best introduces some of the ideas touched upon by Mintz and Kellogg. It reads, “Marriage and the family are undergoing a change, nay, passing through a crisis. To close your eyes to it, to say that all is for the best in the best of matrimonial worlds, would be as shallow and as unscientific as to prophesy the downfall of the family. Some changes are necessary, but these will not affect the essential constitution of the family.” I think Mintz and Kellogg would agree that the families of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s as well as present-day families and families as far back as the 17th century have suffered a crisis. The family described as the “accepted family” which they establish as their norm is certainly not the “accepted family” of the 21st century. As described by Kellogg and Mintz the family is not a static structure, but a “fragile institution.” Yet, the idea of family still exists and while continuously changing has been and will arguably always be a component of society, particularly American society.  – Mary Beth

The opening quote of the book by Bronislaw Malinowski I think best introduces some of the ideas touched upon by Mintz and Kellogg. It reads, “Marriage and the family are undergoing a change, nay, passing through a crisis. To close your eyes to it, to say that all is for the best in the best of matrimonial worlds, would be as shallow and as unscientific as to prophesy the downfall of the family. Some changes are necessary, but these will not affect the essential constitution of the family.” I think Mintz and Kellogg would agree that the families of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s as well as present-day families and families as far back as the 17th century have suffered a crisis. The family described as the “accepted family” which they establish as their norm is certainly not the “accepted family” of the 21st century. As described by Kellogg and Mintz the family is not a static structure, but a “fragile institution.” Yet, the idea of family still exists and while continuously changing has been and will arguably always be a component of society, particularly American society.  – Mary Beth