The Fundamental Unit of Society

 

Family has been a prominent topic that has been researched for many years. Just recently, however, the research on family has been increasing in importance more than it ever has before. A lot has changed within the last few years, more than it ever has. Some of these changes has included higher divorce rates, lower fertility rates, a higher average age for getting married, and changing laws on marriage. It is important that we affirm the importance of family. Family is, and always has been, “the fundamental unit of society” (the first presidency and council of the twelve apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). Now, we are beginning to see evidence that the family dynamics are changing all throughout the world. For example, the fertility rate in families has decreased to an average of 1.8 children per family. Not very many years ago it was common for people to have 6, 7, 8, or more children in their family. What has changed?

            Some possible reasons for the change in family dynamics would be a fear of commitment, more demanding jobs, personal experiences dealing with rough family background, rising age in getting married, fear of raising children into an ever more confusing world, and so on. Though these are understandable reasons for the change in family dynamics, they are not promoting as much joy or growth within the family as they could be. Children who are being raised in a loving family with a married husband and wife are more likely to grow emotionally, mentally, academically, and many other ways as opposed to co-habitation families that are unmarried and have children. In addition, people who are married are more likely to stay together and grow in love towards one another than people who are un-married. But now we are seeing more unmarried, single adults in the world than there are married adults. People are beginning to view families a lot differently than they ever have before.

            Many people are claiming that there are too many children being born into the world. Others choose to wait to get married until they are confident things will work out between them or wait to have children until they are through school or financially stable. People who choose to live together without getting married first are more likely to result in divorce or have problems in their relationships later. In addition, the lower fertility rates are strongly influenced by co-habitations without wed lock and the higher average age of getting married. Women are much less likely to conceive when they hit the age of 40, and the chances of the baby being born unhealthier is greater. Then, there’s the common concern that people aren’t wanting to raise children in this generation with it becoming more confusing and broken. People are becoming more financially stable and both women and men are working in businesses and other jobs. Throughout all this, however, people are still searching for a purpose. They want to know and understand their place on this Earth and what brings true and lasting happiness.

            The truth is that families are the fundamental unit of society. Families bring hope, they bring purpose, and they bring lasting happiness and joy. If my parents had decided not to have 4 children, I would not have been born. I am the youngest of three older brothers, and am so grateful to have been born in the family that I am. Everybody is born into their family units for a reason. Every family situation is different and there is not one right or wrong answer to how large a family a couple should have, but I do believe that our greatest joys come within a family unit.

            I would love to hear some of your comments below on what has brought you joy in your family. How have you found purpose in family, and what is most important to you about your family?

            Thanks for reading! I look forward to hearing from you.