Youth Perceptions about the Family

Why is the family so important? What is it about the family that society pays so much attention to this institution? Once these questions have received some attention and are discussed, another, deeper question arises. Specifically, why is society so reluctant to accept changes in the family? Could it be true, then, that there is some kind of "ideal family," and therefore this explains society's resistance to change and/or diversification?Parent associations, think tanks, sociologists, and psychologists are discussing how much influence the family really has in today's society. The family has always been a central issue in society. However, with regard to actual families, which one is the most salient? Is it possible to choose between one type of family and another, in a rational and objective manner? Hence, before describing the importance of the family per se, the ideology behind the family must be unraveled in order to have a clear image of the range of families that exists today in the United States.The conflict between the ideology of the family and actual families is problematic with respect to the imagery held by citizens. Therefore, persons seem to vacillate between an ambivalent, hypocritical, or insecure attitude. This cloudy imagery is also threatening the socialization process of children. A striking example is the affair of Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. In the aftermath of this public betrayal, the family ideology has assumed a stature comparable to a deity, thereby constraining people's beliefs, attitudes, and everyday experiences. Therefore, analyzing how much the family ideology is constraining youth, and how much these ideological beliefs shape their current relations and future family formation, are important elements to discuss. Therefore, a study was undertaken in 2001 to assess the difference between the ideology of the family and how this institution is actually experienced by its members. In order to assess this difference, twenty (20) in-depth interviews were conducted with junior/senior students at the University of Miami. A clear link was established between functionalist ideas and the conservative family ideology. In the same way, a theoretical link was established between postmodernism and more flexible approaches to conceptualizing family life.The data revealed three different approaches to understanding the family: creatives, sinusoidals, and systemics. According to this differentiation, creatives were found to be resourceful, flexible, and adhere to a general philosophy that related to postmodernism. The systemics, on the other hand, have a rigid view of the family that is consistent with functionalism. The sinusoidals were basically ambivalent about family life, and have differing views about the proper nature of this institution. In this sense, two-thirds of those interviewed have questions about the legitimacy of the traditional family.Almost all of the interviewees want to achieve an "ideal family," but what this goal means varies greatly among these groups. In this regard, the structural conditions of the family are not necessarily related to how the needs of persons are met by this institution. Specifically, many new images of the family were mentioned that people find satisfying. In general, the data suggested that novel renditions of the family must begin to acquire legitimacy, so that this institution can reflect the actual experiences of persons. Friends, pets and others elements were, for some, considered part of the family. Therefore, as a conclusion that needs further development, a new construction of the Family is proposed: Sogy. Sogy comes from 'Significant Others Group and You'. Sogy means 'a group of people and/or attached things that have a close relationship'. This, maybe, could help society while improve its social institution in charge of value-development, since right now, year 2018, it is doing poorly in child-rairing.