Comments on: Global Recession and Family Structure

By: Reggie Peterson

Reggie Peterson — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:21:29 +0000

We have to slow down and take a step back and look at the entire picture.Systems thinking. Many of the decisions we make in our life is based on “reacting” and then adjusting to compensate for any element that causes imbalance. In time we realize that if we took the time to consider the entire environment and the implications of that decision on the entire environment, we would not have made that particular decision. In considering the topic, the declining global economy is one such catalyst that has inspired a number of reactionary decisios.

In many cases, those decisions have caused many families to incur drastic changes, such as one-income familiy converting to a multi-income family to off-set rising costs or because of unexpected unemployment. Also, as I have seen in my job, there are more and more people working twice as much because companies in the U.S. are forced to eliminate cost to remain competitive with global competitition. Extra time at work translates to less time at home with family.

There are many more examples how the declining economy has affected the family. However, as we go through life there will always be something that comes along and affects what you treasure most. But, what we should learn to take a moment, analyze the big picture, and consider the implications of a potential decision on all parts of your life. I believe that if we take this approach, it would or could alter how we make those decisions that affect our family structure.

Just one man’s opinion.

By: Denise

Denise — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:19:56 +0000

Very good article.

By: Marc A. Brown

Marc A. Brown — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:44:52 +0000

Yes, this global recession is a very important factor in the weakening of the Family structure. However, the family structure has been gradually weakening over the past two decades when economics forced both parents to go in the workplace and sometimes working two and three jobs to stay afloat. It is more troubling to learn that those millions of jobs lost may never return in the same form as before.

By: donat

donat — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:39:43 +0000

This is a very interesting article. I actually saw a special on CNN about something similar in reference to women being the sole provider and backbone for the households through the years. The recession does affect your everyday life, including relationships. Life is hard as it is, then on top of that you have to worry about am I going to get a phone call telling me that I’m laid off. On the other side, the recession does help you put things into perspective and realize what really is important in life, to get past the materialistic things.

By: simeon MD

simeon MD — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 18:04:02 +0000

Thanks for informing me about your website and blog, which I found to be both informative and thoughtful. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. I had always believed that my family was the most important factor in my life until I went through a divorce. Then I was forced to focus solely on myself as a route to recovery. It is good to know that someone with your experience cares enough to be helpful. I agree with Anfieldj that the American family structure started on a downward spiral many years ago.

By: anfieldj

anfieldj — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 07:42:59 +0000

The family unit has been decaying long before this crisis
This crisis may very well be the catalysis that redefines the family unit
Families have been torn apart because of too many choices and new found freedoms. Everyone became so focused on “doing their thing,” that they FORGOT what GOT them there (a lot of prayers and sacrifices)
The multi-income family is fastly becoming the dinosaur … EXTINCT
Just as families were families in the past – families must become families again in order to thrive and survive. The family unit must be redefined – everyone must bring something to the table-accountability and responsibilty