Moving and the Impact on Family Relations
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by: joe.moesier
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Word Count: 535
Every year thousands of Americans move from city to city, state to state and in some instances to countries abroad. Chasing the American Dream is forcing people to migrate. Such a movement has its effects, some good and others not so good. On the downside, moving is at the price of the social well being of 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. Better economic prospects in states other than that of original residence are forcing the Americans to take a hard choice. 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. The choice to move usually involves leaving behind the elders. The elders are thus faced with an empty nest which has a direct impact on their emotional health. Families moving sometimes opt to put their elders in old age homes and institutions for the aged so as to concentrate on their aspirations. 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 young lose the opportunity to imbibe the traditional values and lessons of life, which can best be passed by a time-tested oral tradition.
Moving to a new place consumes finances. Any relocation is a challenge on your budget management, which would include careful assessment of your immediate liquidity, 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. The financial health of unitary families is also affected. The childrens need to move may well be financed by the parents thus increasing their burden. Despite doing that, the children may not reciprocate on reaching their new place thus straining the family social relations.
Moving also affects the way families relate to each other and the society at large. Relocation involves, in most cases, leaving behind a part of your family, that vacuum requires to be filled up. When suitable role models do not fill the space, siblings become vulnerable to the darker sides of human nature and at a later stage visits to the psychiatrist become a norm. Why are Americans going in for psychiatric counseling in increasing numbers? 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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