Modern and traditional families have many differences. This is because the environment in which families operate has changed dramatically over time, especially with the advent of modern technology. Dionne Van Zyl will now give some specific examples of these differences below.
Differences Between Modern and Traditional Family Life as per Dionne Van Zyl
Communication
According to Dionne Van Zyl, one major difference between modern and traditional families when it comes to communication is that, in today’s world, technology allows us to stay connected even if we’re not physically together. In contrast, in a traditional family, everyone may be spread out across different towns or countries and only get together for special occasions such as holidays or birthdays. For example, many modern families use social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp to stay connected.
Similarly, we may communicate via email or text messages if someone is away on a business trip or traveling for pleasure. In contrast, traditional families often rely on letters, phone calls, and face-to-face interaction to maintain their communication.
Diversity
Another key difference between these two types of families is that modern families tend to be more diverse than traditional ones. This is partly because there are so many different cultures in our globalizing world today, and also because people are no longer bound by socially prescribed gender roles in the same way they once were. For example, many modern families include same-sex parents or foster children, whereas this would be much less common in a traditional family setting.
Freedom
Dionne Van Zyl is of the opinion that individuals in today’s society have more freedom to choose their partners based on a range of factors, such as personal compatibility and shared interests. This means that people are no longer necessarily limited to choosing a spouse from the same racial or ethnic group, region, religion, etc., as they might have been in the past.
As a result, modern families tend to be much more diverse than traditional ones in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, culture, sexual orientation, and other important aspects.
Values and Tradition
Despite the many differences between traditional and modern families, one thing that unites both is a sense of shared values and pride in their family history. This is perhaps most evident among immigrant families, such as those who came to America from Europe or Asia in the 19th or early 20th centuries.
These families often see it as their duty to preserve and pass on important traditions such as language, food, dress, and customs to future generations. They may also feel a strong sense of belonging to their historical homeland even if they no longer live there. In contrast, individuals living in modern societies are more likely to be focused on building their own future rather than preserving past traditions.
Final Thoughts by Dionne Van Zyl
In conclusion, there are many differences between modern and traditional families. These days, Dionne Van Zyl believes that we tend to stay connected via social media and other digital tools; whereas, in a more traditional family setting, we may rely more heavily on letters, phone calls, and face-to-face interaction to communicate.
Despite these differences, however, both modern and traditional families share a common bond through shared values and pride in their history. In this sense, then, it is possible for both types of families to co-exist in today’s world and learn from each other’s strengths and experiences.