Contemporary challenges for intrafamilial relations

• Author: Mihaela Gotea
• Position: Transilvania University of Brasov
• Pages: 91-96

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov

Series VII: Social Sciences • Law • Vol. 9 (58) No. 2 - 2016

CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES FOR

INTRAFAMILIAL RELATIONS

Mihaela GOTEA1

Abstract: Nowadays we live in a time of rapid changes, from a social,

industrial and technological standpoint. Profound mutations in family

institution can be observed, regarding the family structure, lifestyle and the

cycle of family life. Today’s tendencies reflect a clear distinction between

marriage and the activity of raising children, as we can notice the increased

number of marriages without children or the number of single-parent

families. That is why, the present paper focus on these two types of intra-

family relationships: couple’s relationship and parent-child relation,

pointing out some changes and challenges of contemporary period.

Key words: family relations, couple’s relationship, parent-child

relationship.

1. Introduction

Interpersonal relationships are the central part of human existence - this fact therefore

justifies scientists’ increased preoccupation to study them. Nelson-Jones (1996, p. 3)

mentions that the main characteristic of relationships is connection, with the addition that:

”humans are social animals who cannot avoid relationships. We are condemned not only

to exist but to relate.”

An important type of social bonds within an individual’s life is represented by familial

relationships. The interactions and social exchanges that happen between the members of

a family can be found in varied shapes and forms. Therefore we can speak about:

couples’ relationships; the relationships between parents and children; as well as the

relationship between siblings.

Although we spend more and more time at the workplace at the expense of household

intimacy, familial relationships still exist and will always exist, despite the gloomy

forecasts that claim family will no longer be viable in the future. Instead of seeing family

as an old-fashioned, surpassed institution (as pessimists suggest), the optimistic view is

that family will provide stability, the sense of belonging and communion, necessary to

adapt to a new society defined by fluctuation, alienation and individualism. Familial roots

can be tremendously helpful in an individual’s quest to seek and obtain autonomy - this

process being accomplished by diminishing the existential anxiety generated by an ever-

changing world that's often meaningless as well. The theoreticians who are confident in

the family’s ability to adapt to the new changes believe that career plan and domestic life

are rather complementary instead of opposing, and that their possibility to interact is a

1 Transilvania University of Braşov, mihaela.gotea@unitbv.ro