Question

2) Discuss significance of compassionate family (modern nuclear family) in the formations of modern nation states by explaining changing ideas of intimacy, love and modalities of femininity (parenthood, sexuality etc.).

Answer 1

It is important to note that the world has changed tremendously in terms of lifestyle and modes of living. Earlier there used to be joint families. But as the complexity of human life increased, joint families reduced to modern nuclear families, comprising only two generations namely, parents and their children living in one house under the same roof. It is important to note that not only family patterns and modes of living changed, but there have also been significant changes in ideas that are ingredients of family life like love and intimacy.

The way a society functions, depends much on its ingredients like love, intimacy, gender, parenthood, upbringing, generation gap. The ways of societal functioning are transmitted from one generation to another in the name of “culture”. What human beings learn to live in the external environment is much reflected in their thoughts, activities, practices, education, personality, etc. In modern nation-states, the value and the nature of these ingredients have changed. Love and intimacy, today, have become digital and sensational. Online dating has become extremely easy and casual. People can easily be treated as options-“to choose from”. The emotional aspects of love and intimacy is tinged with materialistic goals. People can unite today for materialistic pleasures and sexual pleasures, temporarily. This has reduced the value of commitment and loyalty. Such issues are resulting in the disintegration of families, as a result of separation or divorce. Such separations have devastated the lives of many kids, who start finding comfort in people outside their homes. This names them susceptible to wrong influences that ultimately destroys their lives. Feminism is the new definition of independence and freedom from gender inequality which has been hampering the progression of women in society. Parenthood has been adversely affected by work pressure and workload, leaving children in the hands of maids and insignificant others or even strangers. Such a situation has given rise to permissive or ignorant parenting. Children and their legitimate needs are being compromised for a future that lays in the hands of the children that are being neglected by their parents. This, in turn, adversely affects love and intimacy, disintegrating the modern nuclear family even further.