Paper Section 3: Social Trajectories

Paper Section 3: Social Trajectories

[Author]

[Institution]

Author Note

Paper Section 3: Social Trajectories

Question 1

The family institution is the ground basis of the tasks that we have at hand. All the relationships that we foster revolve around a singular unit of family institution and forms the basis of all spheres of our life. Even our work life is deeply influenced by it, considering that most of us only choose to make a living to make life easier for our loved ones. Thus, in terms of social trajectories, the relationships we foster, the family we call our own and the work-life that we have are all influenced by one another.

Question 2

Careers that impact an individual’s interpersonal relationships are the ones where the stakes are rather high. For instance, serving as a doctor, a lawyer or a part of the law enforcement are the sort of high-stake career that not only carries risks in terms of one’s health but it also deeply impacts the work-life balance of an individual. However, I believe I am within the safe circle in this regard, since my interests lie in becoming a teacher. I believe it will not only serve my aspiration of giving back to society, but it also comes with a retirement plan, which I will take around the age of 55.

Question 3

Yes, I would love to be married someday. The perfect spouse for me, in my opinion, is the one that is willing to share his life with me, like partners. I would prefer to be his companion in all spheres of life, rather than a woman he is stuck sharing a life with. I would prefer to ease conflicts instead of going for a divorce, but if push comes to shove and it begins to impact our mental peace and well-being, then I believe we might not have a choice. Life us unpredictable, thus I cannot guess my longevity or the probability of when and how I may be widowed. I believe I will be able to cope with it by managing my emotions and taking control of my life.

Question 4

Yes, I would like to have children and raise them in a nuclear family. Their presence would deeply impact my health, career and even my marital relationship, perhaps for the better. Caring for my parents at a time when I have a family of my own as well will definitely impact my career, and relationship with my children, husband, and friends. I will have to prioritize my time on the basis of who needs me the most at the time. I cannot disregard both my parents and my family. Thus, I might have to decrease the efforts I put in at work and my friends to manage time.

Question 5

An article called “Beyond the nuclear family: Personal networks in light of work-family trajectories” ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"wWrRIPg9","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Aeby, Gauthier, & Widmer, 2019)","plainCitation":"(Aeby, Gauthier, & Widmer, 2019)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":401,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/5VyEEXyp/items/UDMWAYSN"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/5VyEEXyp/items/UDMWAYSN"],"itemData":{"id":401,"type":"article-journal","title":"Beyond the nuclear family: Personal networks in light of work-family trajectories","container-title":"Advances in Life Course Research","page":"51-60","volume":"39","author":[{"family":"Aeby","given":"Gaëlle"},{"family":"Gauthier","given":"Jacques-Antoine"},{"family":"Widmer","given":"Eric D."}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2019"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Aeby, Gauthier, & Widmer, 2019) studies the work-family trajectories of families over a period of 20 years, between the ages of 20 to 40. According to the study, the family trajectory deeply impacts an individual’s work life and even family. Their life is severely divided between family, work, and parents that they have no time left for themselves. This fact is further elaborated in an article published online, called “Modern realities make caring for our aging parents impossible” ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"T1VDbRB4","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(The Guardian, 2017)","plainCitation":"(The Guardian, 2017)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":404,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/5VyEEXyp/items/7ZZ2XX4G"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/5VyEEXyp/items/7ZZ2XX4G"],"itemData":{"id":404,"type":"webpage","title":"Modern realities make caring for our aging parents impossible | Letters | Society | The Guardian","container-title":"The Guardian","genre":"News","URL":"https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/feb/05/modern-realities-make-caring-for-our-aging-parents-impossible","author":[{"family":"The Guardian","given":""}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2017",5,2]]},"accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",7,31]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (The Guardian, 2017). It comprises of letters sent into the publication where a number of people respond to David Mowat’s testament that we need “to start thinking as a society about how we deal with the care of our own parents”. While I believe that the man had the right intentions, he was severely misguided on the approach and people tell him just how.

Question 6

Given what the articles state, I believe that no matter how honest and honorable my intentions are, I believe that I may begin to resent the people in life at some point. Unless I become absolutely selfless, there will be times when the amount of care I would put into my family, or my parents will be sub-par, or far less than what is needed.

Question 7

Psychological trajectories cannot be isolated from social trajectories at any point in time. Our society deeply impacts my psychology and thus, the changes that take place there will have an immediate and deep impact on my life as well and I am more than aware of the fact. Thus, while I have an idea of how things are going to be, I also believe that my reality, when the time comes, might be the complete opposite.

References

ADDIN ZOTERO_BIBL {"uncited":[],"omitted":[],"custom":[]} CSL_BIBLIOGRAPHY Aeby, G., Gauthier, J.-A., & Widmer, E. D. (2019). Beyond the nuclear family: Personal networks in light of work-family trajectories. Advances in Life Course Research, 39, 51–60.

The Guardian. (2017, May 2). Modern realities make caring for our aging parent's impossible | Letters | Society | The Guardian [News]. Retrieved July 31, 2019, from The Guardian website: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/feb/05/modern-realities-make-caring-for-our-aging-parents-impossible