Summary:
- The author asserts that the structure of a modern family greatly differs from the traditional one and feels that this change is not necessarily better
- Whether it is the "parental and educational functions", "economic function" or the "recreational function", the author notes that the modern family is not as united as the traditional one
- Functions of the modern family are now shared with external agencies
Thoughts:
While I agree that marriage does regulate the sexual impulse of people, I feel that illicit sexual behaviour is actually not uncommon now. Pre-marital and extra-marital sex relations are not only increasing in western societies but also eastern societies, which are prided to be traditional and conventional in their thoughts and beliefs. Despite the introduction of sexual awareness lessons and discouragement of pre-marital sex in schools, youth today still indulge in sexual activities in Singapore even if they are underaged. This point had been highlighted in numerous articles and surveys in our newspapers.
The author also noted that the modern family is not as united as the traditional one. With the rapid and constant advancement of technology, we now seek the pleasure and entertainment that modern recreation provides, often alone or with peers. Today's emphasis on education and careers leads to people leading their individual lives and segregates each other despite being a family. I agree with the author that this has affected the cohesion of family.
On your second paragraph,
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree that the modern family is not as united as the traditional families, as most youths would rather chat with their friends online and talk to their friends ont he phone, rather than communicating with their parents.
However, nowadays parents are more open-minded and are more likely to be able to communicate better with their children. In traditional familes, there is a distinctive line which children are not allowed to cross, and that leads to communication barriers as they are afraid to voice out their views.
I agree that eastern societies have become more promiscuous as more and more youths have engaged in sexual activities even though we are in a more conservative Eastern society. This may be due to the western influences that are present everywhere, especially in media.
ReplyDeleteAlso, modern families may not be as bonded as traditional families as in this modern society, the lives of each family members are very hectic. Thus, they may not spend much time together as compared to traditional families. Moreover, both parents and children tend to return quite late at night if they are working or schooling, and the homework or work that they must complete prevents them from spending time together, leading to the family being less united.
I believe it's mostly a matter of perspective.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, sexual behavior is not really something that has to be attributed to the 'now'. Sexuality and the openness for it was much more rampant in Ancient times ergo the art of Kama Sutra. The problem however is, in what form sexual behavior is brought about. Teenagers today are more indulgent not because it's got something to do with 'meeting of hearts and minds' but rather to let status to meet them. Teenagers both male or female pride themselves with their sexual prowess or their seemingly profound ability to attract partners.
Yaksh Birla
I agree that pre-marital and extra marital relations is not only increasing in western societies but also in eastern societies. This is because eastern societies are becoming more westernised by the influence of media on the people.
ReplyDeleteChin Wang
I agree that pre marital and extra marital relations are increasing in both western and eastern societies. This can be seen through the current news that are reported in Singapore. Girls as young as 9 years old are getting involved in sexual activities in Singapore. I believe this is due to the western infulence that is increasing in Singapore.
ReplyDeleteALICIA
I agree to the first paragraph where the rate of premarital sex is increasing despite sexual education in schools.
ReplyDeleteHowever, on the second paragraph, i don't totally agree as not all families are unbonded just because of the emphasis on career/education. we do seek etnertainment with our family. :D
I agree that the rate of premarital sex is increasing amongst teens nowadays, even with education against it, but not overall, as like Yaksh said, there were even more cases in the ancient times by both adults and teens compared to now.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I don't fully agree with the second paragraph as not all families' cohesion is affected, only some. It all depends on the families themselves, whether they want to make an effort to facilitate family bonding or not. Family cohesion can still exist even with the increasing emphasis on career, education and technology, as long as the families put in effort to get together sometimes, have fun and love each other! (:
-pinghao
i do not agree with the views of those whom believe that extra and pre-marital sex are due to western influence. It can be said that western influence does play a huge role.However it should also be noted that the reason some people engage in these sexual activities is because that they are able to feel the love which currently lacks in their lives but this does not apply to all.
ReplyDeleteFaris Hakim Bin Abdul Rahman