Applying the Sociological Imagination to Sole-parent Familes

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There is much debate on what constitutes as a family today. However, Ball (2002) states, “The concept of the traditional family…is not an immutable one. It is a social construct that varies from culture to culture and, over time, the definition changes within a culture” (pp. 68). There is a growing diversity of families today including the commonality of sole-parenting. In order to explore aspects of sole-parenthood objectively, I need to reflect and put aside my personal experience of growing up in sole-parent household. Furthermore, this essay will explore the historical origins, cultural aspects discussing the influences and implications of gender identity, and social structures of sole-parent families, as well as consider the implications in midwifery by applying the sociological imagination. Mills (2000/1959) describes the sociological imagination as “…a quality of mind that seems most dramatically to promise an understanding of the intimate realities of ourselves in connection with larger social realities” (pp.15). In other words, the sociological imagination involves the ability to consider the relationships between personal experiences and those within society as a whole. Families are becoming more diverse and they come in all shapes and sizes. Some people consider families to be strictly biological, while others consider people they love to be their family. Although two-parent families, also known as a nuclear family are the majority, one-parent families are becoming more common in today’s society. A sole-parent is considered to be a parent without a partner or spouse who is the primary care giver of one or more children in a household (Ministry of Social Development, 2010). From the age of 14 onward I was raised by m... ... middle of paper ... .../publications-resources/research/sole-parenting/sole-parenting-in-nz-an-update-on-key-trends-and-what-helps-reduce-disadvantage.pdf New Zealand College of Midwives. (2014). Philosophy and code of ethics. Retrieved from http://www.midwife.org.nz/quality-practice/philosophy-and-code-of-ethics Pairman,S., Tracy, S., Thorogood, C., & Pincombe, J. (2013). Theoretical frameworks for midwifery practice. Midwifery: Preparation for practice.(2nd ed, pp. 313-336). Chatswood, N.S.W. : Elsevier Australia Statistics New Zealand. (1999, June). Key statistics: New Zealand’s children. Retrieved from http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/people_and_communities/Children/nzs-children.aspx Statistics New Zealand. (2005, June). Focusing on women 2005. (Catalogue No. 16.001). Retrieved from http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/people_and_communities/Women/focusing-on-women.aspx

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