Sociology of Family in the Technological Era

Sociology of Family in the Technological Era

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Sociology of Family in the Technological Era

Sociology of the family deals with the concept of the family as a solid institution that is connected by various sociological issues such as childhood and gender roles. As a social unit, the family is susceptible to change through the varying behaviors that family members display when exposed to diverse factors. Although sociology of the family takes into account varying factors in demography, economic levels and the differences in family norms, it is likely that the contemporary family setting has been affected largely by the introduction and adoption of technology across different spheres. The changing roles and activities of the family on a daily basis have been made easy with the application of technology (McGrath 2). Concepts such as face-to-face communication and interaction have reduced significantly, as people take advantage of the new advent. Examining technology in the contemporary era in relation to sociology of the family provides extensive insight on the changes that have occurred over the years.

The family is identified as a single fundamental unit within the community. In the traditional concept of the family, cohesion and understanding was built by a simple communication and interaction process. However, with the introduction of technology, families have become more complex to accommodate foreign norms threatening the family structure. Research carried out by Mutekwe sought to categorize the relation between traditional and modern societies particularly to material elements (Mutekwe 5). In the context of technology, Mutekwe segmented it into simple and complex identifying that the modern family setting has assimilated a complex technological concept. Although adoption of technology in different countries varies because of the scope and rate of development, it is likely that by 2030, most families will have access to the internet and other modern technological advancements.

An approach to the sociological changes in the family through technology has been studied extensively particularly by theorists. In their perspective, change within the family and community progresses based on blind forces that cannot be controlled. The perception that people have to conform to the changes in order to address the imminent challenges that they are exposed to on a daily basis necessitates social changes within the family. Motivations and attitudes that families display while handling issues exposes them to experiences that assist in countering such challenges (Mutekwe 4). Rational people are expected to behave and act on challenges based on an outcome that can yield the best and desirable results. Technology proved to be one of the ways.

Technology has the ability to interfere with the social interactions between people in the household. Behaviorists have studied the social attitude portrayed by children within the family once they are exposed to media technologies. Arguably, vulnerability to social media access and literacy has increased significantly in the recent years. In this case, it is likely that they increase the opportunity for creativity and self-fulfillment while diminishing the influence of face-to-face interaction and general communication. Technology achieves diminished nature by creating emotional and socially isolated people within the family setting. It has created a digital divide by building the perception that family members can spend time online while in closed rooms. Privatization of technologies that were initially used collectively has rendered members unable to interact across various lines (McGrath 35). Families are therefore spending more time apart by limiting their interaction levels. However, families can use technology to bridge the gap between generations by desiring to accommodate the concept and applying it to their daily activities.

References

McGrath, S. (2012). The Impact of New media Technologies on Social Interaction in the Household. SO303H Electronic Culture and Social Change.

Mutekwe, E. (2012). The impact of technology on social change: a sociological perspective. Journal of Research in Peace, Gender, and Development, 2(11), 226-238.