Reading Questions - Intro
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Apr 3, 2024
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Reading Questions - Introduction
In this chapter, Catherine Bernard set forth some ideas on a clear definition of what a family is and several factors that are influencing and changing the family and its individual members worldwide. While I felt that this chapter didn’t flow well and was somewhat scattered with many assertions that didn’t have solid sources to back them, her main point that the globalization of Western society, commercialization, unchecked technology use, and suppression
of traditional cultures and values has had a profound negative affect on families and individuals is accurate, I believe. I appreciated Bernard’s assertion that the definition of the foundation of a family extends beyond simply two people that are married, but should only include marriages and families created by two heterosexual responsible adults who join together in a life-long commitment with the intent of raising children into the next generation of responsible, stable adults (Bernard 2013). This is most definitely not a popular definition in our current world, but one that is critical
in maintaining the family as the foundation of society.
Finally, Bernard asserts that technology, contraception, and abortion are interrelated and act as an imminent danger to families and, most especially, women and children. She was quite bold in this assertion, stating “these are in many ways cowardly forms of what I would call terrorism on a selective population” (Bernard 2013, p. 10). This gave rise to several questions that remain unanswered for me after the reading:
1.
Bernard mentions unethical field trials of contraceptive technologies on the poor. What are these field trials and where are they occurring? What has been the mental and physical ramifications of these field trials?
2.
Bernard discusses the impact of technology on the family, including reproductive technology, computer/phone technology, and domestic appliances.
How has the introduction of domestic appliances negatively impacted families? How big of a part
do isolating activities (washing clothes at home vs. with the community at the stream, ordering grocery delivery vs. interacting at the store, texting a family member in another room vs. walking over to talk with them face-to-face) have on an
individual and the family? Is this impact quantifiable? How can we still participate in the convenience that technology like these offer while mitigating the potential negative effects?
Bernard, C., & Shea, J. (2013). Family: Heart of Humanity
. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
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