How -- and What -- Americans Eat At Night Hardly Resembles The Tables of Decades Ago | theledger.com

How -- and What -- Americans Eat At Night Hardly Resembles The Tables of Decades Ago theledger.com

Is one gender better at uniting family than another?

My answer to this question is somewhat ambiguous. It depends upon for what purpose and for what duration of time. I think matriarchs are very good at keeping their families united. Especially, as it concerns immediate economic needs. However, this type of strong family is more likely to dissipate it's power after the matriarch is either deceased or her economic well being has been assured.

On the other hand my observation is that families united by patriarchal motives have differing tendencies. I believe that patriarchal motives tend more toward a long lasting legacy. I think that many patriarchs may seem to be creating rivalries and creating competitors among family members. Especially, in how they play favorites among siblings. However, this tendency is designed to strengthen individuals or select individuals that aid the patriarchs long lasting legacy. In other words the family is united around the need for strength and around an authoritarian model. This serves a different purpose. A purpose that is aligned with the evolved patriarchal instincts and motives to participate in the nurturing process.

The rise in single moms along with families with fewer children has diminished much of the patriarchal motives for marriage. Furthermore, male dynastic instincts become latent as women have gained influence. This is not a feminist conspiracy. Rather, it is the result of women's rising status as heads of households, along with the natural motives of the child bearing women. It is the nature that leads to nurture, which in turn leads to family types.

It is my opinion, when there is an opportunity to blend patriarchal and matriarchal motives the result is an extraordinary family type. What we often see as dysfunctional family is the result of a failure to blend the motives of each gender towards a unified family scheme.

BAW: Guardianship Programs Help Black Grandparents Perpetuate Extended Family Traditions

The following article shows how our laws and government agencies can get behind extended family values. Unfortunately, it also shows how this is not always the case.
BAW: Guardianship Programs Help Black Grandparents Perpetuate Extended Family Traditions

Family firm builds on area's home market - Orlando Sentinel : Business

Not only is this a family business, it also has included floor plans that accomidate extended families. It illustrates how a growing Hispanic culture may affect the future of family lifestyles.
Family firm builds on area's home market - Orlando Sentinel : Business

Technology Brings Extended Family Together News - Post-Tribune (Northwest Indiana)

The following article is an event that fore shadows a future of great possibilities. Especially for the revitalization of extended family bonds. After you read this story, ask yourself some questions about the future. What will be possible when this technology is more affordable and accessible? How will it connect family? Why will people use the technology? Who will be able to grasp what it means for family?
News - Post-Tribune (Northwest Indiana)

allAfrica.com: Zambia: Lupando Calls for Restoration of Extended Family Culture

allAfrica.com: Zambia: Lupando Calls for Restoration of Extended Family Culture

Supervisor candidate has $100,000 grubstake from family and friends

The following story is a great illustration of the power of extended family. An extended family can use the habit of contribution to extend the power of family. The wider family is supportive of and ready to invest in the personal growth of one member. It illustrates growth of the family power to create opportunity and deal with adversity.
Supervisor candidate has $100,000 grubstake from family and friends

What Diminishes The Power Of Our Families?

In my opinion, the biggest factor in diminishing the power of family, is thinking of family as insignificant. Sometimes this takes the form of purposely shunning nepotistic advantages. It is not that we may think of family as insignificant in our lives, but rather as insignificant when compared to the institutions which seem to be much larger. Such as Government, Schools, Businesses, Churches, Unions and other large institutions. Peer groups loom larger than family.

We have come to associate economic and social power with organizations which have benefited from urbanism and modernization. What seems to have been missed is how a few dynastic thinkers have adapted to change in ways that have increased the power of their family. Some are newly emerging families. Others are families that have adapted over the centuries to new conditions.

If you closely examine these few families, one thing is clear. They see their large extended family as significant or more significant than other institutions. Nepotistic advantage is not totally shunned. Often, they come from cultures that were more resistant to modernity.

In contrast, many moderns shun family influences. Often, family influence is shunned. Shunned in favor of:: individualism, the influence of peer groups or in favor of personal development outside of the family. While these are not purposely destructive of family life, they become part of an insidious process which diminishes the modern view of extended family. It is part of our individual experiences.

Unless one or more family members properly instills an appreciation for nepotistic advantage, extended family will be viewed as insignificant. The potential power of the family will be latent and diminished. In other words, sentiment looms larger than influence. Family rituals become less meaningful. Family members begin to choose peer groups over kinship groups. Benefits of family life are less connected to every day life.

It is similar to putting your money under a mattress and forgetting it is there. The power of your money diminishes with inflation. Until you realize the power of investing you gain nothing and allow the power to diminish.
You might think you value the money, but you act in ways that make it less significant.

Winston-Salem Journal | Ask Amy - HOW FAR IS CLOSE? Definition of extended family isn't easy

Winston-Salem Journal Ask Amy - HOW FAR IS CLOSE? Definition of extended family isn't easy

Lessons About The Value Of Family

In the movie "It's A Wonderful Life" George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) is taken by Clarence his guardian angel on a guded tour of his life in an odd retrospect.

George learns the value of his single life. George gets an opportunity to see what the consequences would be, had he never been born. He gets to see the value of his life. You see how his mother grows old as a childless widow. His uncle is sent off to an insane asylum . His brother dies as a young boy. And his wife lives life as a lonely spinster. George Bailey is not even a memory to his family and friends. Since George is not there to make his contributions to family and community the whole community suffers.

Now, I ask you to imagine the story line is turned around a bit. This time it is your life we examine in retrospect. And instead of your family and community without you, we see what your life would be like without your family. We look at those family members who have contributed not only to your life,but to your community.

What would we see? What lessons can we learn as our guardian angel guides us through this type of past? How does your real past life compare to this imagined past?

I would love to hear what you think you would see. It would be great to hear what lessons you will learn from this mental experiment. Please share them with us!

Later this month I will share the lessons I learn from this exercise.

Family Ties - Women

Some excellent ideas on keeping our extended families close!
Family Ties - Women

icWales - Up to a third of Welsh divorce kids lose touch with a parent

icWales - Up to a third of Welsh divorce kids lose touch with a parent

The right lessons? From Guardian Unlimited: Mortar Board

The following article illustrates how when extended family is absent other institutions either take up the slack or people suffer consequences. The costs often affect society as a whole. The following example also illustrates how other institutions make such adaptive strategies a secondary function. Functions, such as passing on parenting skills, are primary within an extended family. In institutions like schools, the function is an afterthought and secondary.
The right lessons? from Guardian Unlimited: Mortar Board

The Good Sons Club Theme For August: Power Diminished

This month The Good Sons Club theme will focus on the forces and factors that dissipate the power of family.
We will look at outside forces. We will examine forces that originate within the family itself. Also we will make some observations about the types of family structure that contribute to diminished power.