I enjoy watching The Simpsons. The Simpsons is really a nonsensical and non-restrictive adult cartoon. The concept is very creative and very current. It is very interesting and of course entertaining to see how the writers actually use these characters to take digs at our everyday mundane lives. I always enjoy watching The Simpsons.
The family in today's society has a very different mission to fulfill. Unlike the past, where the family is one where they stick together in spite of circumstances, the family of today are more inclined towards diversification and living in segmentation. Hardly today, will you find different generations of people living under the same roof. This does not come because of choice or a lack of, but rather it is in relation to the dynamics of society and it's pace. There is a saying that a family that eats together, stays together. This old adage would perhaps be of much practical sense in the past but not today. In our Asian culture, having a meal together as a family holds a deeper significance.
A meal with the family symbolises unity in the family and allows for people to communicate with each other and share their personal thoughts. It gives fathers and mothers the opportunity to talk to their children and bridge closer ties conceal the generation gap. It allows children to understand the intentions and way of thought of their parents, and more so to avoid putting them down. It is not only the physical sustenance that is fulfilled but also the spiritual, moral and simply the intangible sustenance that is being attended to. However, as the pace of society increases exponentially, people are inevitably caught in the humdrum of society and find themselves spending less time in the family or as a family but more in their work lives. Even their social lives take a degree of beating. A meal in today's family is one that is done hurriedly and more so in front of the television. It almost seems that the television is now the focal point of having a meal and even so, the meal may not include everyone in the family.
How then do the family of today attempt to stick with each other. Each member makes sacrifices and compromises. While communication within the family is still very much depended on to keep the family together, it is how this communication is done and when. The children of today, having gone through a vigorous education which centers on encouraging opinions and being more expressive will not emulate similar characteristics of their parents when they were young. They are more willing to question and will say 'no' to you more than they will say 'yes'. It is not the rebellious spirit in the youth of our generation but rather the different mindset and perspectives in which we have and encouraged to do so. But, this does not mean that parents accede to all demands of their children or do not attempt to reason with their children albeit the imminent conflict and possible quarrels. Parents have to be objective and flexible. The dogmatic or tyrannical approach where the father, being the head of the house, has the final say is an approach where many family counselors will frown upon and will divide the family even further. This approach is well, a thing of the past. Involvement within the family and from family members will keep the family together. When everyone takes a conscious effort to make this family work, when parents and children contribute in the sharing, a new family dynamics is shaped and the old is preserved.
Like the Simpsons, Homer does really stupid things and sometimes, the family relations are strained. Yet, when there is compromise, when there is communication, when there is sharing and the willingness from all parties to make this family work, everything will fall into it's correct place.
--till later--- doh!
