Harley Davis's Article 'Sharing Surnames'

The first eight chapters we reviewed from the book Public and Private Families: An Introduction gives us a foundation in comparing and studying the family from a sociologist’s view. Written by Andrew J Cherlin, a Sociology Professor at Johns Hopkins University. As a class we discussed several key points taken from these chapters and reflected how these concepts pertain to our life whether it be our family directly or observations of other family dynamics. I found Cherlin’s first chapters to be easy to follow and pertinent to the study, he goes into detail regarding his views and offered several suggestive ways to research and study in depth more if the reader so chose to do.

In discussion of family history, one controversial issue has been family issues. On one hand, Coontz argues that using your sociological imagination is important if one is wanting to find practical answers to their family problems. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of parents and children believing in the sociological and historical perspective. To be able to understand these perspectives, Coontz states, “A historical perspective can help us place our personal relationships into a larger social context. Understanding the historical background and the current socioeconomic setting of family changes helps turn down the heat on discussion of many family issues.” (McIntyre, 2014, p. 7) As a result, both these perspectives are significantly important if one is wanting to resolve their current family issues for the greater good of one another.

Origins of a family have meaning and history. By keeping track of family relations also known as a family tree it can allow us to keep records of the past. The Edwards family tree shows great record from the early 1700 's to the mid 1800 's. This family tree demonstrates when a person was baptized; when they got married; and when they passed away. The Edwards family chart show the different relations of marriages and fertility rate from today 's society. From the chart we can determine that the Edwards family show a different demography compared to todays society. This is because life expectancy was shorter; families were larger; and finally marriages were happening at a young age.

This paper is an analysis of my family history in Bowenian terms. I will examine four generations on my side of the family. I have included a genogram in the appendix to examine my personal intergenerational patterns for assessment. I will also examine my family of origin in the categories of race, ethnicity, religion, social class, geographic location, jobs, mental health and medical concerns. The paper concludes comparing Bowenian ideas to other systemic concepts.

A main theme in this novel is the influence of family relationships in the quest for individual identity. Our family or lack thereof, as children, ultimately influences the way we feel as adults, about ourselves and

Society functions in a manner accepting of the differences within people; and the innumerable qualities all individuals put forward. It is the differences within individuals that make for betterment of society; and allow the Canadian nation to be open and accepting of diversity. This notion of diversity is not only one which can be directed towards the large spectrum of society yet, to the family structures which impact it wholesomely, while too, holding effect upon their personal life and relationships. “The word “family” is used in various ways in popular usage, referring in different contexts to our parents, siblings, spouse and children, as well as referring to all the relatives sharing a household and the larger group of relatives with whom we may or may not maintain some contact”, (Baker, Page 3, 2014). Speaking to the level of family structures and whom one considers “family”; it is an area which each individuals should be allowed to dictate in their own manner and hold sole control over. As a nation and/or state focus should be directed at improving the quality of life and equality amongst all sectors of families; in addition to promoting diversity; rather than focusing on the small social and financial issues that Social Service Programs are in place to provide assistance for.

Genograms are used to graphically represent a family tree and display detailed data on relationships among the individuals included in the family tree. In essence, families are complex systems that interact with kin groups in specific ways, and a genogram helps to show a diagram of a family tree, but also maps out interactions, relationships, traits, and characteristics that may otherwise not be noticed. The purpose of a genogram is to identify and understand patterns in family history which may influence an individual’s personal behavior and traits. Family Systems Theory, presented by Dr. Murray Bowen, suggests that an individual cannot be understood in isolation from their family members. According to Dr. Bowen, the family is an emotional

In this paper I plan to analyze and compare the Shaklefords in Hard Living on Clay Street and my immediate family. The comparisons include the structre of each family as far as marital arrangements, household arrangements, and kinship arrangments. The comparisons also include the culture of each family. In culture this includes ideas, norms, language and artifacts.The last and most important aspect of my family and the Shalkelforsd that I will analyze is the historical and socail forcs that most influenced both families. This is very important because historical and social forces shape and affects the way the family function as within and outside the family.

Haritaworn et.al and Rifkin’s pieces, through ethnographic examples aim to explain the social construction of kinship groups, which in turns encompasses the construction of sexuality, gender, and emotions. Both articles start by challenging the Western notions of family and intimate relationships. Rifkin exemplifies through the case study of Dakota gender and kinship construction, using the writing of Zitkala-Sa’s. Haritaworn et.al address the phenomenon of polyamory in London’s racial and class diverse context.

Falicov, C.J., & Brudner-White, L. (1983). The shifting family triangle: The issue of cultural and

Answer: The three consequences of matrilineal kinship for family relations among the Trobianders are as follows.

“Families are like branches on a tree. We grow in different directions; yet our roots remain as one.” (A Place for Mom). Our family history is shaped from a single source. We all have a desire to know where we originated and who we are linked to. This desire can bring about joy and happiness, or maybe pain, and regret. Either side of the coin, it will bring a sense of closure for the one seeking this information. In this discussion, we will look at how Bowenian approach to the family assists in this search for answers, and what can be learned from the family structure.

I am going to discuss an eighty two year old woman who I am going to call Mrs Smith (her name has been changed to protect her identity). Mrs Smith is the middle of five children, who has lived all her live in the South of England. She married at nineteen and had four children, all of whom are now grown up, happily married and with children of their own, giving her ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Mrs Smith’s husband died in 1998 and she has lived on her own ever since. In this essay I am will be drawing on five

Those who are new on the genealogy journey can find it to be a roller coaster ride with pits of doubtful or erroneous data. Each piece of genealogy information you get you need to verify and validate, if not, you could be travelling down the wrong path. This trip can be depressing and devastating, especially if you copy another's genealogical tree taking their information at face value.

Throughout this interview process, it was extremely difficult to find a family not similar to mine. However after many weeks of searching, I found a wonderful family that lives not to far from my hometown, the Lindsay family. While interviewing this family, I spent approximately four hours at their small home in Lake City, TN. This experience was difficult and rewarding at the same time. To me, meeting new people is very hard because I am a really shy person. However, I strived to gather a lot of information from this family because it is very important to get a lot of details. So, therefore, this paper will explain my own family, the Lindsay family, and the comparison amongst our families.