In reading this article, I absolutely fell in love when I heard the definition of family. The article states call them kinship systems. The word kinship sounds so warm and loving. I love being part of a "kinship". The standard family however is not so standard. One in three children are born to unmarried parents who may or may not be living together. This has actually become the norm. I used to think that my child was suffering because he wasn't living in a two parent household and that he might end up scarred for life. However, he has myself, my mother, my boyfriend and his family, my extended family and many friends. He is a smart, well rounded young boy. I have learned that many types of family lifestyles are okay and kids need to know that. They need to focus on what good things they do have that other families don't have. My son gets to have Christmas at his father's, his grandmother's and his own home. He has so many other people that bring joy to his life. He has step brothers and half sisters in which he adores. I have always taught him that although he doesn't have both his mother and father living under the same roof with him, look at all the extra people that are now part of his life that he would have never had. We are both grateful for that fact.
This article also discusses Divorce Law. It is of interest to me because I am a divorced woman and have been through the state in order to fight for child support. I have dealt with Child Support Enforcement Services as well as hired a lawyer. My ex husband went through financial hardship where he could not pay his child support. I had to fight for my son's support. Although the situation is better now, I was the statistic that was not getting the appropriate amount of support. Check out the following link:
Unfortunately, the United States has among the highest marriage and the highest divorce rates of any industrialized country. The odds are against us. So we do the best with what we have on our plate and love the people in our lives. No matter their gender, race, ethnicity, etc. We invite them into our homes and share with them what we know. We let our children know that all families are different but that in itself is unique and beautiful.
I enjoyed reading your piece on family. I got so much out of it and I agree with what you said about him having more, despite your son not having both parents in the home. I think that children in single family homes are more appreciative of the family that is in their life. In some aspect they are exposed to certain realities in life very early, but children of single parent homes become extremely independent and self- reliant.
ReplyDelete-Kristy Bacon
I also enjoyed your writing and views on family. All families are different and its always interesting to see how different family are, yet can all be loving. It is always interesting to see from the point of view of someone who has experienced the part of the divorce law and who has seen and been through what it is like. I agree with you that kinship is a better word than family, family can just be like a biological term with no warmth or support. Kinship seems more like it implies understanding and closeness. Thank you for sharing your experience!
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