You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
In recent years, the family structure has changed, as well as family roles.
What are the changes occurring?
Do you think these changes are positive or negative?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experiences.
You should write at least 250 words.
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Sample Essay 1
In recent decades, significant transformations have taken place in the organizational structure of families and the roles played by each member. These modifications are primarily related to the interrelationships among the different family components. Despite the positive aspects of these changes in terms of material gains, I believe that this drastic shift can exact a significant emotional toll in the long run.
In the current era of rapid modernization and urbanization, the boundaries of families have been dramatically altered, making it increasingly difficult for family members to spend quality time together. A concomitant effect of this has been a decline in the general level of income, which has further exacerbated the situation. As a result, in most households, both parents are now compelled to work full-time to sustain their livelihoods, unlike the past when the sole responsibility of providing for the family rested on the father's shoulders. This shift in dynamics has resulted in increased pressure on parents to balance work and family life, often leading to the neglect of one at the expense of the other. The consequences of this are manifold and long-lasting, affecting not only the individual family but also the broader society.
Furthermore, with recent developments in familial aspects, parents may lose the opportunity to listen to their children or build a strong emotional connection with them. For instance, dinner used to be one of the most important meals in traditional families, as it provided both parents and children with an opportunity to interact closely and convey valuable lessons regarding proper manners or other essential values. However, this valuable chapter is becoming obsolete as, by the time working parents get home, their offspring have already had their meal. Thus, the diminished family time not only deprives children of proper growth but also breeds childhood traumas that can eventually lead to adult mental illnesses.
In conclusion, with the advent of modernization and the resulting financial strain, family structures are continually changing, with both parents becoming heavily involved in their professional aspects. Although this new development might bring financial gains for households, it comes at a severe cost of emotional attachment among family members.
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Sample Essay 2
In recent years, the family structure has undergone a tremendous transformation, marked by the shrinking of family units and a consequent reduction in familial responsibilities. This phenomenon can be attributed to the acceleration of urbanization and the growing focus of young people on their careers, which has resulted in increased financial and mental independence. As a result, young people are increasingly opting to live with their friends or by themselves, rather than with their families, and are no longer viewed as the primary source of support for both elders and children.
This shift towards smaller and more independent family units has had numerous advantages for both individuals and society at large. Young people are no longer weighed down by excessive family responsibilities, such as caring for children and elders, and can thus focus more fully on their personal and professional lives. Elders, in turn, can enjoy a more fulfilling social life by living with people their own age who understand their experiences and perspectives. Additionally, the decreasing birth rate resulting from these changes is being compensated for by a surge in demand for nursing home services, which is creating more job opportunities and contributing to overall economic growth.
Despite these benefits, some may argue that this shift towards smaller and more independent family units may have its downsides. For instance, it may lead to a decline in traditional family values and a weakening of familial bonds. However, these concerns can be mitigated by the increasing availability of alternative forms of social support, such as community groups and social networks, which can serve to fill the void left by traditional family structures.
In conclusion, the revolution in the family structure that we are currently witnessing is a natural consequence of urbanization and the growing focus on individualism. While it may have some drawbacks, its advantages are manifold, ranging from reduced family burdens for young people to increased job opportunities and a more fulfilling social life for elders. Ultimately, this shift towards smaller and more independent family units is a positive development that should be embraced and celebrated.
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Sample Essay 3
During the last decades, fundamental modifications have involved family organization and the roles of its members. These changes are mainly related to the relationships among the different family components. Though there are some positive aspects in terms of material gains, I believe this drastic change can incur a massive emotional cost on the long run.
Nowadays, the fast-paced environment of people’s lifestyle has been changing the boundary of the families. It has become almost impossible for family members to spend quality time together. These days, the general level of income is lower than that of the earlier period. That is why, to stretch out the earnings all through the months, in most case both parents are required to work full time, whereas previously only the fathers used to shoulder the financial burdens.
In addition, with the recent development in familial aspects, parents would lose the chance to listen to their children or build a strong emotional connection with them. For example, dinner was one of the most important meals in the traditional families, it used to give both parents and children a chance to interact closely and convey messages to the Kids regarding the right manners or other valuable lessons. But this incredible chapter is becoming obsolete because of the time when working parents get home, offspring already have had their meal. This is how, the shrunken family time is not only depriving children from gaining a proper growth, but also it is breeding childhood traumas which can eventually lead to an adult mental illness.
To conclude, with the advent of modernisation and the resulting financial strain, family structures are changing constantly where both parents are getting heavily involved in their professional aspects. Though this new development might bring financial gains for the households, it comes at a serious cost of mental attachment among the members.
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Sample Essay 4
A lot of changes in the form and the function of families, namely the decrease in average number of family members and the less dependency on families, have happened recently. In my opinion, this transition of characteristics of families is preferable because it would help people financially and strengthen their relationships with the family members.
The most prominent change in family structure is that the average size of a family has become smaller than ever before. In other words, more and more families are deciding not to live with their grandparents or other relatives, as the number of atomic family is increasing in Japan. Moreover, ordinary family members are becoming dependent on their relatives, and therefore a family is not a safety space for many people anymore.
Furthermore, I strongly believe that this transformation of families is beneficial for most of the people in terms of financial and social aspects. The smaller the family size, the less people have to pay for maintaining their family activities. Unfortunately, the burden of caring their parents is extremely heavy for young adults because they are so busy to nurture their children and to earn the required amount of money for their upbringings. In addition, if people can become more independent from their families, they would be more sociable. Because citizens usually spend much time in schools or offices where their families cannot support them, a good relationship with colleagues or friends would bring a lot of benefits on people while the role of family shrinks.
In conclusion, I am convinced that various changes; the reduction in the figures of family members and the low dependency on families, that have taken place over the last decade is mitigating financial problems of young adults and improving their communication skills.
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