Modernization Vs. Home Bonding

 

 

What dangers does modernization pose against home bonding, and how can it be handled properly?

 

And here we are again at Sweet Blog, the sweetest blog online.

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Today, due to several requests from our blog readers who found themselves facing the difficulties that will be mentioned later on, we would like to discuss the challenges that modernization poses to those who are interested in a warmer, solidifying, and better home-bonding experience - And modernization, due to its many temptations, makes their lives difficult with achieving this goal.

The social and communication challenges modernization, with its many technological aspects, has brought to our world are countless:

Starting with the devaluation of face-to-face communication, through the lowering of human ability to concentrate (especially in children and teenagers), and ending with the reduction of emotional intelligence in most of us. Some will even argue that technology can affect our emotional stability.

All of these and more are just some of the adverse effects of modernization (along with its loud cousin - Technology) on basic human social skills- a phenomenon that has a massive impact on almost every human interaction - particularly on the homely family ones.

The evidence supporting the claim that technological progress challenges family bonding/closeness has recently increased in light of the above. Some strongly argue that technology is negatively affecting the family dynamics in question.

 

In this article, we will closely examine modernization issues that cause tension with family bonding at home, and right next to each challenge - You will also see his solution.

 

As always, later in the article, there will be a refreshing infographic presentation and a video summarizing its content for you.

 

'Modernization Vs. Home Bonding'

Hop on!

 

 

1. Lack Of Joint Family Time.

 

Boyd K. Packer once said:

Family time is sacred time and should be protected and respected.

 

One does not have to be a fancy sociologist to know that electronic devices of all kinds (mobile phones, computers, tablets, TVs, etc.), which are one of the main characteristics of modernization, are a considerable challenge for home-family bonding.

All you have to do is just take a quick look inside almost every home with teenagers, and you will see how everyone is stuck in their room with their cell phone in hand while the living room is desolate, like a western wilderness.

Studies show unequivocally that cell phone addiction is as real as it gets.

There is no doubt that family disconnection, expressed by family members being stuck in their room and glued to the screens, significantly harms bonding and family closeness.

Actually, it's pretty obvious. Think about it for a moment: unless you are aliens from another planet communicating through strange telepathy, what kind of family bonding can you create within such a significant physical and mental distance from each other?!

Exactly - None!

It turns out, then, that modernization's initial challenge against your home bonding is the social distance resulting from the excessive use of technology.

 

'So what to do?' you must be asking.

In two words - family time.

In three words - family time frame!

 

Family time is time dedicated to meaningful family communication characterized by physical closeness.

The benefits of good family communication are enormous for your home bonding, and it becomes even more critical in the face of modernization's challenges.

Set, let's say - once every few days, a family gathering time when everyone, whether they like it or not, is required to come to the living room for a short family conversation.

But make no mistake - family time does not mean family mealtimes- about which it can be said that although they can be used for consolidating family conversation and catching up, their main 'thing' is eating.

When we say "family time," we aim towards time dedicated exclusively to a meaningful conversation/closeness between family members.

By doing so, you will neutralize, to some extent, the destructive effects of modernization, which harm your homey bonding due to the physical family separation that technology causes.

There are many more effective ways to encourage family conversations. Here you can find some.

 

 

Family talk will help you improve your communication skills!

 

By the way, for additional enrichment on the subject, please read the relevant article from our sweet blog about how to turn your home into a center for family activities.

 

 

2. Laziness

 

You are probably familiar with Ronald Reagan's quote:

I've heard that hard work never killed anyone, but I say, why take the chance?

 

 

As most of you probably know, laziness will hold you back in many areas of life, and home bonding is just one of them.

'How'? You might be asking?

Well, Many pieces of evidence claim that, alongside technology's significant advantages, it has made us much lazier as humans.

 

Below is a partial list:

 

Food ordering technology.

Excessive entertainment without leaving the couch.

Online shopping.

Social gatherings in cyberspace.

Errand delivery technology.

Navigation apps.

"Smart" tech homes.

 

All these and more are only a tiny part of technology's challenging effect on the productive aspects of our lives.

Furthermore, This laziness in question does not only affect productivity aspects. Being one that causes family members to stay stuck on the couch (or in their rooms, for the sake of the example) inevitably damages your Home Bonding. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out. 

  

Why get up when you can manage everything from the couch?

 

Once you realize that the damage source to your home bonding is laziness - resulting from modernization characterized by too much technology, leading to social distance - You will probably use the classic tools for dealing with classic laziness among family members.

 

Things like:

 

Some restrictions on technology use.

A stricter approach regarding doing house chores.

Shared activity.

Talk it out!

Lead by example.

Appreciate the little things they do.

 

All these and more are just a tiny part of the tools available to deal with home laziness. Applying them can strengthen the sense of closeness and bonding within your home.

 

 

 

 

3. Individualism.

 

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, 'Individualism' is defined as:

'A doctrine that the interests of the individual are or ought to be 'ethically paramount.'

In a nutshell, In contrast to 'Collectivism' - which prioritizes the good of the collective and its needs over individual needs - According to this concept, the individual and his needs should be prioritized as high as possible and at the center of things.

It's all about how You feel.

Individualism has many advantages. There is an emphasis on personal excellence and increased creativity, alongside significant attention to classical principles of emotional intelligence, such as understanding the feelings and needs of others, along with paying attention to subtle nuances that may be offensive to others.

But it's important to note that there are also inherent disadvantages:

Due to its almost exclusive focus on the individual's needs and development, individualism may lead to selfishness and some resistance toward required changes.

Furthermore, excessive individualism may entirely supersede the needs of the collective. And we are indeed, after all, creatures that live in diverse collectives. Some will even argue that too much 'freedom' may cause damage to classical traditional/conservative values, which provide a strong sense of stability.

 

Back to our article's topic. There is no doubt that modernization significantly strengthens the concept of individualism. Modernization provided the core of the idea with academic support and an evidential infrastructure alongside clarifying its importance in a not ambiguous way.

It's clear then that an increased sense of individualism may cause some damage to your "sense of togetherness," which may lead to a destructive impact on your home bonding.

When each household member is focused on their needs and personal development only, how can closeness and family bonding be increased?!

 

The individual at the center

 

'So how do you deal with that?' you must be asking.

 

Well, the best way to deal with increased individualism, which harms your family bonding, is to grant some boost to the opposite theory/value - collectivism.

Try to offer a unique value to your family collective as a whole, as opposed to the individual existence of each family member on his own.

In such a family approach, family members prioritize mutual appreciation for each other and often make decisions for the whole family rather than the individual. If you choose this approach, mutual support and loyalty will be a significant part of your family's core values.

As a brief analogy from sports, try to think of family individualism as an individual sport, such as tennis or golf, and family collectivism as a team sport, such as basketball or football, in which success is defined as a team victory, no matter how great the stats of one of the players are.

If you are interested in successfully dealing with the challenges that modernization poses against your family bonding - do yourself a favor and prioritize closeness and family goals over selfishness and excessive personal development.

 

Play football, folks.

 

 

4. A Different Friendship Model.

 

New social science theories strongly argue that the nature of the human connection - both the one expressed between one person and another and with oneself - has undergone significant transformations following modernization processes. 

We tend to communicate and even express our affection and opinions very differently than before.

Familiar with Dad's cute nags while lying restfully on his rocking chair?

 

"Your spoiled generation, the problem with you, young Thundercats, think you know everything...you will not recognize true friendship and loyalty even if it falls on your head from the sky...in my time, back in the days, we would close huge deals with the help of a few words and a handshake. A man's word was his greatest asset.

As for you, even contracts the size of Texas are not enough. And don't even get me started on the rest of your social skills. When was the last time you physically spoke to each other?

When on earth did any of you young men walk up to a lady at a bar and politely introduce themselves without trying to look her up on your funny, weird apps?! A handshake, a pat on the back, a smell, a touch - do you even know what all these are?."

 

Although perhaps, at first glance, these comments may amuse you, they do indeed contain, as stated, real science-based insights concerning social relationships/skills in our modern era.

Let's be honest for a moment. We don't communicate with the same human warmth as before, and not necessarily due to the features of technology. Humanity has simply transformed (not necessarily positively) to a certain extent. And with the (cold) consequences we all have to face.

One of the significant challenges that modernization poses against your home bonding is the modern friendship model it has created. One that will make your life difficult in terms of bringing your family members together profoundly and humanly, even within the same four walls.

Read this fantastic article - 'The Myths and Reality of Modern Friendship.' - for more information on the subject.

Thank us later.

 

The friendship model has changed a lot

 

The way to deal with this type of danger against homeliness is by embracing "Older" friendship principles/models, prioritizing human physical connection over a virtual hug - 'Real' as it may be. 

Get physically close to people!

Make an effort to host as many as possible within your home. Physically feel your family member you are interested in checking on, etc.

There are many examples, but the guiding principle is simple: Don't let the modern friendship model damage your home bonding.

Try to think about the difference in how you used to spend time with your friends as a child compared to how kids do it today.

 

Rest my case, your honor!

 

 

We hope this article - Modernization Vs. Home Bonding - has helped you to some extent if you face some difficulties in this area. And if you have any more questions on the matter, please feel free to reach out.

 

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