Nuclear Families
Reading Holly's Blog today got me thinking on this passage that I read in my latest book Yoga and the Quest for the True Self. It is a passage in a chapter which discusses how must of us are not truly here in our bodies, rooted deeply... how many of us feel like we are part of a play sorta thing. The passage meant a lot to me when I read it and I thought it might mean something to some of you.
"In the postindustrial West, the problems of the disembodied sense of self are pandemic. The reasons for this are simple: Because of the breakdown of the extended family in the latter half of this century, we depend upon the depleted resources of small nuclear families, where hardworking parents may already feel stretched and needy themselves. This nuclear family upon which we place most of our hopes is all too often an impoverished emotional environment for children. Overburdened parents feel fragmented, insecure, and in some cases terrified by the needs they feel they should be meeting but cannot. They're hungry to get their own unsatisified needs met. Given the demands of our culture, how could it be otherwise?"
Comments
Oh yes! I would love to live closer to my family, and to have that constant contact with relatives. I just remember how much Orion loved being with my youngest brother when we visited NZ. That's part of the pull for me to return there, but so much of ourselves is invested in Sydney, so we can't and don't want to leave.
Posted by: Lucyna | May 5, 2002 2:58 AM
Obviously, I agree. I don't think that modern society is healthy for families. It is neither good for parents to raise children in isolation nor is it good for children to lack the input of an extended family and community. Though this move to our hometown has been really difficult at times, we have had more of that sense of family unity and it's really great. My cousin helped us move. My best friend since I was 5 will be watching the kids for me when I go to an appointment this week. Those types of lifelong bonds are irreplaceable. Today alone I saw my mom, MIL, grandMIL and FIL, and one of my uncles. Overall, despite some frustrations, I think it's supposed to be this way.
Posted by: mudra | May 5, 2002 7:37 PM