Australian cultural identity shaping family patterns Essay

A family is in the main delimitate as a group of persons directly coupled by kin connections, the adult members of which assume responsibility for caring for children (Giddens, 2006206). 1 may be strike by the academic formality as well as the appropriateness of the definition. However it is noteworthy that much(prenominal) definition is by no factor strict or obligatory in research. There are individuals or groups who have disparate perceptions of what constitutes a family (or what is a family). The definition is a departure from the traditional definition of a family.The using of family patterns is henceforth congruent with the development of family definitions (Giddens, 2006211). According to its old definition, a family is represent of mother, generate, and children. Giddens et al (2003) defended the modified definition by pointing out that, generally, family structures in around societies are composed of adult members and children (not necessary the earlier concepti on of father and mother). Hence, operationalization of the definition of family in applied research becomes possible (ideal type definitions).They in like manner noted that the definition of family is highly dependent on prevalent family patterns and structures that is, defined by coating and time. Hence, Giddens et al (2003) defined family patterns and structures as institutions or routines and be sick familiar forms of mixer life (p. 131). These institutions or routines of family life bottom be generally explained by his theory of structuration. Structuration means studying patterns and ways in which societies are produced and replicated in smaller social units like the family.Once the family determined the plausible ways of achieving a particular societal goal, it becomes reinforced in other institutions, including the family. Hence, societal orders and its adherence to singular or multiplicity of ethnic personal identicalness gives form and structure to other institutio ns in the society. It is noteworthy that an independent variable of structuration is time. One may juxtapose that antithetical societal institutions existed in different time frames. What female genitals be considered a normal family in one point in time may significantly differ from past perceptions.This proves that structuration is highly dependent on the plethoric ethnical values and goals, as well as the so-called pagan identity (ethnicity). In our case, it can be proven that the adherence of Australian culture to a multiplicity of identity and values can greatly affect family patterns and activities. Australian Multiculturalism Identity What does it mean to be an Australian? This is a highly complex question that needs an equally sophisticated answer. It can be said that Australian cultural identity is a alloy of different cultures and worldviews.For one, Aborigines in Australia were able to establish permanent homes in the unpolluted centuries before the coming of the Br itish. When the British came, they transformed Australia into a penal colony, and so into a state fashioned after Great Britain. The aborigines were casted away by the new declareers. The British introduced a series of assimilation laws that called for granting of Australian citizenship to Europeans (who were life in Australia for at least 10 years and of British descent) the aborigines were treat initially. Many of these citizens regarded themselves as Australians.They also considered Australia as their natural homeland. Hence, what we call at present as Australian culture and identity were initially derived from British culture songs, literature, poetry, and architecture (language perhaps is the most clear indicator). However, the adherence of Australian identity to British ways changed as European migration to the country increased at the latter half of the 19th century. Almost a third of the community of Australia at that time was non-British European descent. This crea ted a riddle for the Commonwealth of Australia.The problem lies in the redefinition of Australian culture and identity. However, because of the First World War and the preoccupation of the Australian government in addressing its trade deficits, the problem had been totally ignored. Until recently, social scientists found out that Australia is a hotspot of different cultures a sorting of melting spot. The general sense of this geo-cultural definition of Australia is Australian culture and identity is a multiplicity of different cultures, bringing forth an increasing mixture of institutional patterns, under the guidance of an open society (Holton, 1997).Three things can be derived from this definition. First Australian culture and identity is the result of cultural interaction of different ethnic groups. Second, this cultural multiplicity brings forth different institutional patterns. Lastly, openness is the surgical word of Australian society. Hence, it has sometimes been claime d that Australias content identity is not as strong as the national identity of countries that have experienced the trauma of invasion and civil war. man it is true that events of this kind have often been major reference points in the consolidation of a sense of national identity, they are not by any means the only processes by which identity emerge (Holton, 1997 uniform resource locator cited). This can be explained from a survey conducted by the National mixer Science study entitled National Identity What Does It Take To Be Truly Australian. About 72% of the respondents said that feeling Australian was a very important factor in being an Australian (as against 23% who said that it was fairly important).Another 67% said that having an Australian citizenship was a very important factor in being an Australian (as against 23 % who said that it was fairly important). The heading above connotes that though most nation in Australia regard themselves as Australian, they engaged them selves in pattern of livings (including family patterns and structures) base on their ethnicities (ethnic origin). Hence, there is therefore the need to find the commonalities of these cultures so as to enumerate the characteristics of Australian culture and to determine whether ethnicity, class distinction, or cozy preferences determines Australian family patterns.Herein are the characteristics of Australian culture 1) open (that is, permeable to immigrants), 2) permits assimilation and at times amalgamation (the difference between the deuce will not be discussed), 3) adherence to the Western principle and value of liberalism, and 4) highly adaptive. When one says that a society is open, it generally means that such society is highly permeable to migrants as well as to innovation. It is all told the opposite of a conservative society.When one says that a society permits assimilation, it generally means that the society is willing to incorporate individual cultural tastes and pre ferences into its own system. Liberalism is a Western invention. Adherence to liberalism means that individual rights and freedoms are protected by the state. The individual is left open in its own development. creation highly adaptive is generally the result of being open. Because innovation is the operative word of an open society, any changes in its system would correspond to a major shift on its means procurement (AGIL framework of Talcott Parsons), that is, the means of achieving societal goals.