Sociology - Discuss the argument that the family is in decline Essay

Sociology - Discuss the argument that the family is in decline - Essay Example school of thought contests this view and a third argument states that nothing has changed and that the family unit remains largely unchanged (Gillies, 2003). This paper explores the argument that the family is in decline. Firstly, a definition of family will be provided. Secondly, three theoretical perspectives will be presented in regards to the family being in decline. Finally, a conclusion will synthesize the main points raised in this paper, and provide recommendations for future research. Defining what a family is is a highly contentious issue. In 1949 George Murdock defined a family as a group of people that includes two of both sexes, at least tow of who have a legally sanctioned relationship, and one or more children. This view was upheld by functionalist theorists such as Parsons and Goode (Parsons & Bales 1955, Goode 1963 cited in Levy, Widmer, & Kellerhals, 2002). However, over time the variety of families in industrialised societies has increased dramatically, hence its definition has been modified. Macionis and Plummer (2002) define a family as a social institution that can be found to exist in all societies. The function of the institution being to unite people into a cooperative group, to enable survival and raising of children, socialization of children and a regulation of the sexual activity of the people within the group. The family unit being a social group of two or more people who may be related through blood or marriage, or through adoption or by vir tue of cohabitation or family by choice, and so share in the economic and social responsibilities (Macionis & Plummer, 2002). In 21st globalised society numerous forms of family structure exist: the nuclear family remains, with two parents and children, although the term has been extended to include same sex couples who may not be married; the reconstituted family that combines two one-parent families; single-parent families; and the extended family which may be â€Å"vertical† in that

People can read others' minds Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

People can read others' minds - Essay Example Is it an inborn psychic ability or being hypersensitive to how others feel and think? Each person has a certain degree of psychic ability, some more than others. People gifted with psychic abilities use the power of the mind and extra sensory perception (ESP) to help them clearly anticipate what is going to happen. They can also channel their energies in reading other people’s minds. Sometimes, this ability can be beneficial for them because they would know how to respond to a person or an event, having had a foreknowledge of that person’s thoughts or the images of details of the event. On the other hand, they absorb negative thoughts or see visions of disastrous events and these readings can upset them too much. Any ordinary person also has natural mind abilities that help him get through some situations, and one of this is being able to discern what other people will say or do. The ability to read minds goes far back to our ancient roots when we managed to feel our way around. This was when communication systems were not as sophisticated. People were easy to read because they were bereft of any hidden agendas that complicated their lives. Technology was very limited and there were no distractions such as the television, internet, etc. and people focused on other people. When they communicated with each other, they gave their full attention. Being so in sync with each other, it was easy to read each other’s minds. Ross Buck, a Communication Sciences professor at the University of Connecticut contends that mind reading has been used by people to â€Å"create and maintain the social order† (Paul: para 8). Hence, people relied on mind reading to keep the harmony between them. How ever, mind reading is not literally just reading the other person’s thoughts. It also takes interpreting his gestures, actions and language. It is difficult to â€Å"mind-read† if one cannot see the other person move and talk. Reading a person becomes