Reaction Paper 1
October 12th, 2014 Theoretical Perspectives on Families (also known as paradigms) are sets of concepts and assumptions about how families work and/or how they fit into society. The two different perspectives that I am going to discuss are the Feminist perspectives and the Family Development Theory. (Reference: Textbook) Feminist perspectives: Due to the feminist movement between the 1960’s-1970, new ways of thinking have arose. There are more conversations and controversy today regarding gender roles and feminist content. Feminists normally examine the way gender roles exist in the family’s household. The concepts that were traditionally created by society are as follows: Men; provider, work all day, tough, protector, disciplinary, etc. Women; stay-at-home moms, caring, cook, clean, laundry, listener, etc. Traditionally, men are the ones who go to work and provide a living to take care of his family while his wife either works a part-time or is a stay at home mom. However, times have changed. Now a day, women are becoming more independent and are working full time corporate jobs. Although, women may still go home to cook and clean, there has been a difference. You now hear of stay-at-home dads. Some men also go home to cook and clean and help with the household duties. (Pgs 42-43, textbook) Feminist fight for equal rights, they fight to have the same rights as men. As a woman, we are already the underdog; where we have to fight for what we want. They strive to raise society’s level of awareness regarding the oppression of woman. It is more than just a theory, this is a movement. (Pgs 42-43, textbook) Family example: In a TV show called Orphan Black, one of the most feminist shows on television, Cosima Niehaus is definitely known by viewers as a feminist. She exceeds in girl power and what she will do to make sure women are treated equally. Cosima is an intellectual who speaks passionately about what she believes in, and