Why Family?

  I have been thinking a lot about gender recently. Gender is an interesting thing, generally used to refer to one's sex in casual conversation. Before I go on, I want to clarify that I will be using sex to refer to people who are male and female and gender to refer to the socially constructed roles for those who are male and female. This is an important distinction for what I will be talking about.  Growing up in Portland, Oregon, which has one of the largest numbers of transgender people in the metropolitan areas, I had the opportunity to talk to a number of people who identified as transgender. A number of them had transitioned with the aid of surgery and/or hormones. Talking with these people, I interestingly found a number of reasons why they identified as transgender, reasons I have categorized as because of their sex or because of their gender. A very small number of people who were transgender had a base reason for their sex. A friend of mine transitioned because he fe...

  Culture shapes us in terms of our beliefs, values, and behaviors. Cultural context plays an important role in shaping our experiences as we navigate different family structures and power relationships. Family relationships are shaped by many factors, including social class, friendships, and parental education. Today I will talk about how families are influenced by their culture and the importance of choosing aspects of our culture and heritage while leaving behind what is no longer useful to us or our family. Social class is a large determinant of the opportunities and challenges faced by families. It influences aspects such as education, occupation and income, which in turn can shape our families lifestyles and goals. Families of different social classes have different experiences and priorities. For example, working-class families may prioritize financial security and close relationships, while wealthy families may prioritize education and social mobility. These differences in ...

  Relationships play a crucial role in our lives, shaping our happiness, personal growth, and overall well-being. In our pursuit of healthier and more fulfilling connections, various theories have been developed to understand the dynamics of relationships. This paper explores key relationship theories, namely Systems Theory, Conflict Theory, Exchange Theory, and Symbolic Interaction, and how a deeper understanding of these theories can help us intentionally improve the dynamics within our families. It is through the application of these theories that we can enhance communication, resolve conflicts, foster trust, and create a more harmonious and loving relationship. Relationships are seen as interdependent systems, where each member influences and is influenced by the others. Family dynamics are interconnected and holistic. As a result, we can recognize that changes or actions within the system affect all members, as well as the system as a whole. We can appreciate the importance of...