“Normal”
seems to be a moving target when discussing the family. Walsh claims
that “normal” is not usable category when trying to describe the family
and that family should be defined more in terms of markers present.
I
believe that cultural shifting probably plays some role in what most
people consider a normal family. The basic Christian belief that all
humans are created in the image of God, and therefore equally valuable
before God, should be the mantra that equalizes the differences between.
However, societal/cultural shifting concerning the value and dignity of
human life has contributed to the diminishing role of this Christian
belief. Culture has shifted to more of a comparative view of people, and
when we compare ourselves to each other we soon find that no family is
“normal.”
The
thought process behind comparing, whether we understand it or not,
views people more in terms of worthiness, honor, success, and just about
any other attribute we might inject into the comparison.
I’m off the soap-box now.
Assessing
normality seems to be a very arduous task. Do we base our evaluation of
a family on sociological, psychological, or biological factors? What I
have learned is that to properly evaluate a family one must include all
of the above to varying degrees. From a secular point of view, families
need to be groups that provide for the basic needs of the members of the
group such as food, money, shelter, psychological support, and problem
solving.
However,
I might offer a few thoughts about what constitutes a “normal” family. I
would suggest the idea that normal families can have some minor
problems and even major problems although these should be few. “Normal”
families can have communication problems, and they often will. The
reason, I suggest, is that although God created everything and called it
“Good.” Man (and woman) fell into sin, and therefore no matter how
perfect a family may seem, there will never be a perfect family
situation. We are not capable of normal. So, how do I define “normal?”
“Normal” is the family that amidst all of life’s struggles, including
social, psychological, and biological, strive to maintain God’s original
design for the family (two people helping one another, loving one
another, and serving those around them). This is how they show
Christ-like behavior toward those within the family group, and to those
outside the family group.
Do you think that trying to maintain a "traditional family" makes it a "normal family"?
If so, why?
KJ
