Moving and Family Relations
01/07/09
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. Moving has it pros and cons. One such adverse effect has been the social costs of moving on the traditional American Family.
A conventional American family consists of at least two generations living together, with the elders living in the same house or in the same city. 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. The elders are thus faced with an 'empty nest' which has a direct impact on their emotional health. 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. Children too feel the adverse effects of moving. 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. A move abroad requires far more careful financial planning than an interstate move. The financial health of unitary families is also affected. The children's 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.
Moving also affects the way families relate to each other and the society at large. The vacuum created by loss of family members requires to be filled. 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 migration, which is causing disarray in the American social structure. 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.