Aulette was very informative about the changing nuclear families that exist within racial and economical categories. I did not believe that the upper-class families fit the stereotype prevelant in society. Aulette did mention that this was the hardest group to obtain data from. The idea of protecting family money was of most interest to me. It almost seems as if the idea of wealth in their mind is to prevent the loss of the family wealth. With this wealth they act resposnsibly by volunteering within the community. Accordingly this allows them power and prestige within the community.
I lived in Detriot for 2 years. While I was living there I was able to interact with the commuties like the "flats" that Aulette eluded to. As I interacted with those communities I found that even though the full sense of the "matriarchal" society was not present, there was a strong female presence in the homes that we visited. This presence clearly set the tone for the family and through my obeservations made many of the family decisions. These decisions were made even if the father was present and especially when the father was not present. The idea that it is not a matriacrchal society did not fit the observations I had made while I lived in Detroit.
The working class middle family fits the ideal american family that I grew up with. We were taught to marry for love and not money, we were dependant on extended family for support and help and finally we were taught to leave the work at work and be home at home. The majority of people may agree with Aulette that it is almost impossible to make this seperation everyday. Many families that I grew up saw the work of the father and mother brought home just so they could make ends meet and also keep up on the work load. Alaong with exposure I would like to add that work ethic was taught within the confines of the family as a way of survival. It was passed from generation to generation.
Michael Moore & Rhetoric
16 years ago
I thought your experiences in Detroit were very interesting! It seems like you got a "birds-eye view" into life in this social setting. I can also appreciate your view of the middle-class family, as it was similar to my experience as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the idea of a middle class family best fits the idea of the American Dream. While we may strive for greater riches or social status we should never lose sight of what is truly important thing like hard work, love, and family.
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ReplyDeleteI actually lived in Detroit for two years as well which I discussed in my response. I agree with you that the woman have a stronger role in raising and providing for the children in Detroit. However, it did not seem to me that Detroit is a matriarchal society. From my point of view women ran the homes not because their culture said they were higher then men, but because the men were generally not around for one reason or another. I can, however, understand why anyone would share your point of view.
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