Diversity of Family in Contemporary Times

Question: Discuss about the Diversity of Family in Contemporary Times. Answer: Introduction A family is a social unit that consists of people related by blood, marriage or adoption. As part of social change, familys role change with the modern trends that are experienced in the world today. In the contemporary society, the family structure has changed compared to traditional society in that a family is not taken to be a serious unit as it was. Among the many roles of the family in the society today, one is participating in the formation of moral, social and values in modern life. These values are crucial in lives of a developing child since learning begins in this period. According to the National Quality framework (NQF), every child from any given family has a right to quality education, quality care in his/her early life that results to better health, education as well as quality employment opportunities later in life(Davis, J Smith, 2012). Early childhood education in Australia in this case is crucial and has been the main component of the countrys government NQF, with t hree key emphasis on child care. These are belonging, being and becoming (Breunig Gong Trott, 2014). Attachment theory in line with the concept of early childhood education expounds on the importance of forming positive relationship with a child to enhance socialization (Newton, 2008). Every family is formed on specific cultural foundations that give them a sense of identification though they are not static. The family structure has evolved with time, with technical advancement in the society, new behaviors have slowly developed making the family form new adaptation modes. Body The Influence of Cultural Background on Family units. A family is a unit that is formed on the basis of a given social-cultural foundations that gives it a sense of belonging. Since culture is a way of life of a given group of people, different beliefs, values, and norms involved influence a way of life of a given family. In the basis of education, health care, career objectives, counseling among other multicultural factors family units have been greatly influenced. A culture dictates what is to be followed and passed to the familys generations to come, example, in education sector where some still emphasis in pupils learning through community languages, girls and boys are not expected to be at the same level in that girls are related to the so-called average levels unlike the boys who should go to an inch higher to prove the society right of their abilities (Goel et al. 2012). Health care provision in multicultural societies has followed different models that reflect their specific cultural histories, some communities still believe in traditional herbs due to their culture rather than adopting the modern medication. These influences have been seen in the early childhood learning where parenting role has changed as women do not carefully give attention to the young ones as expected and do not enroll in institutions where they receive care since their culture dictates so (Dixon Queensland, 2010). Socializing them into their culture also has proved greatly to be a challenge as they are expected to learn by themselves as they develop. Historical Perspective of Family Structure and its Adaptations over the Past two Decades. In the past, family structure was based on strong patriarchal beliefs and values. Roles were exceptionally classified and inelastic where women were caretakers of the children and the household at large and also protected family values and customs. The man was in authority and women authority was only shown in the absence of the man. On the other hand, men were sexually and socially free to interact with other women in the society but were expected to be the sole providers of the family needs (Hareven,2013). This has changed in the past two decades in that, women as well are expected to provide and have authority even in the presence of the man. Technical advancement has also been key to these changes since security cameras are available to watch over the households thus giving the woman adequate freedom, introduction of day cares and home caregivers in the past two decades also has enhanced quality care given to the children while the woman can only pay for the services and not be p resent always. Also in the past, marriages were usually arranged by the parents thus forming alliances between families as a way of maintaining economic interests and power as their first priority. In the past two decades, marriage is formed on the basis of love and affection of two partners with an aim of achieving their own aims (Peers Fleer, 2014). Functionalist perspective by George Peter Murdock showcases the family as a reproduction field to enable the continuation of next generation as well as the basis for the socialization of the newborn by teaching them basic norms and values in the historic times(Karago?zog?lu,2017). This has changed in the past two decades as the reproduction role is not observed as some opt for adoption rather than birth while others dont want to have kids. Talcott Parsons in the functionalist perspective also gives evolution of nuclear family from extended family and changing its roles in the past two decades (Leggett Ford, 2013). The extended family with the pre-industrial society was solemnly responsible for the education of children unlike in the past two decades where the nuclear family with the industrial society are not responsible at all. Conclusion Benefits in providing an inclusive environment for all families are major merits to both parents and the child in the provision of care at early learning stages. Some of these include; Improved support for childrens learning and development via appropriate learning frameworks. Identification of educators with appropriate skills needed to enhance early childhood learning. Following set professional ethics on early childhood educators. Favorable educator to child ratios to help ensure that all children have greater individual care and attention for the children at all times. Theoretical perspectives are very important to help early childhood educator understand the cultural foundations of every child to help on how to handle the child during care provision. Also through contemporary frameworks, the educator is able to understand the rights of every child and what the law expects of the educator and his/her rights in relation to supporting the learning and development of every child the society. References Arthur, L., Beecher, B., Death, E., Dockett, S., Farmer, S. (2015). Programming and planning in early childhood settings. Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority. (2012). Guide to the National Quality Standard. Benevolent Society (N.S.W.). (2008). The Benevolent Society submission to a national quality frameworkfor early childhood education and care, September 2008. Paddington, N.S.W.: Benevolent Society Breunig, R. V., Gong, X., Trott, D. (2014). The New National Quality Framework: Quantifying Some of the Effects on Labour Supply, Child Care Demand and Household Finances for Two-Parent Households. Economic Record, 90(288), 1-16. doi:10.1111/1475-4932.12059 Davis, J. E., Smith, M. E. (2012). 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