Sociology

There has been a great debate by sociologists on whether to encourage families to maintain some aspects found in the traditional family, or adopt the ways of a modern family set up. However, it is evident that there has been a continuous change from the traditional family set up to the modern one particularly in the relationship between parents and children.

Influence of children by parents strengthens the family
When parents limit their childrens joint workweek to sixty hours it works well for them and the society at large. According to United Nations University (1995), the modern family has better child rearing practices which impact the child development positively. The practices produce nourished children in terms of cognitive advancement. The parents mould the children so that they can have better performance standards, and therefore fit in the workforce. The modern family ensures that by changing from the traditional practices, the children are able to perform well in school, therefore enabling them to compete with the modern world. According to Scanzoni (1981), the child is a special person requiring extraordinary attention, nurture and care. Therefore, when parents have influence on their children, like limiting their joint workweek to sixty hours, the family bond will be strengthened as the parents will have enough time to nurture their children, and help them to develop their careers.

Patriarchal relationships are the same as the modern ones
 The notion of weak marriages in the modern family is not associated in any way with rejection of patriarchal relationships. In the patriarchal marriages, the man was the head of the family, and had authority over his wife. All this was done so as to stabilize the family name. However, violence still existed in the traditional families. The patriarchal marriages were perceived to be stronger because women were submissive to their chauvinistic men, and would not share their violent ordeals with other women who were going through the same. Therefore, the rates of divorce were lower. In the modern days, research has shown that the family is one of the most violent institutions next to police. Since men are perceived to be stronger than women, the term battered wives has been used in the recent years.   Nowadays, the women have organizations which protect them from violent men. Protecting the body of a woman is more important than stabilizing the family. That is the reason why the modern families are weaker, because the women have realized their rights, therefore increasing the rates of divorce (Scanzoni, 1981).

We should change family patterns for the well being of the children
There are a lot of changes which need to be effected as far as child rearing is concerned. Family interactive relationships are determined by great participation of the whole family in joint activities and having a strong relationship among the family members. When a family spends more time together, there is a high degree of cohesiveness in the family (Smith, 1997). This will be done by changing from the traditional ideas of child rearing to the modern ideas.There needs to be a change in parental discipline. The parent does not have to impose physical punishment to the child, but should exercise great understanding and tolerance. The parents should allow their children to be dependent on them up to a later age. This will strengthen their relationship with their parents. More intimacy and affection should be shown to the children, and the father should have a more personal relationship with the children. The parents should also increase their verbal response to their children. They should always be ready to explain the childrens questions, rather than demonstrating them physically (United Nations University, 1995)

Conclusion
 The traditional family set up does not play any part in strengthening the family. The parents should ensue that the family is strong by maintaining cohesiveness and intimacy.