Family Relations and Long Distance Moves
by: john.moesier
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Word Count: 500
Every year thousands of Americans move from city to city, state to state and in some instances to countries abroad. Migration has become a common feature with every citizen chasing his or her version of the American Dream. Such a movement has its effects, some good and others not so good. One such adverse effect has been the social costs of moving on the traditional American Family.
Two or three generations of family living together in the same house or the same city comprises the traditional American family. This model is still prevalent in rural America but is becoming scarce in the cities. Economic reasons are forcing Americans to make hard choices. These choices include moving away which has an adverse effect on their families. The elders of a family are the most affected when a decision to relocate is taken. This decision typically involves leaving behind the elders. This results in a sudden loss of known family social circle, an ‘empty nest syndrome which has a deleterious effect on the psychological health of the aged. Moving sometimes involves admitting the elders into old age homes. Some senior citizens cope up with this ‘banishment, while others find that sadness and melancholy dominate their lives.
Along with the elders others are also affected. The absence of the grandfather and/or the grandmother has its effect on the children too. The moral values and lessons of life passed on verbally by the grandparents are lost to them.
Moving to a new place consumes finances. Relocation involves a careful management of your budget as well as your various insurance policies. Your interstate moves would of course be less painful than say a move abroad, which requires a longer and more judicious financial plan. Even unitary families are greatly affected financially. The childrens need to move may well be financed by the parents thus increasing their burden. The children on relocating get busy with their own lives and the thus the established social fabric also undergoes strain.
Intra-family and societal relations are affected by migration. Relocation involves, in most cases, leaving behind a part of your family, that vacuum requires to be filled up. If this vacuum is not filled by a suitable role model, children may fall into bad company and also may require psychiatric help at a later stage. Ever wondered why the psychiatrist has become such an important figure in daily lives of Americans? The answer possibly lies in the disarray caused by the breakdown in the American family social structure - a possible outcome of migration. The issue that needs to be addressed is whether we as Americans must reconsider our choices, or continue our quest for fulfilling the American dream at all cost.
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