Extended Kin Ties

Using Kin Ties for Child Care

The author of this research examines the the economics of the relationships among persons and their extended kin, not immediate family units. There are difference's in the kin relations of White Americans and minorities. The individual needs of the family play a important role in the family ties. Socio-economic status greatly effects the needs of families.
Child care is important and who takes care of the child factors greatly in his development. Their is a diminishing use in relatives taking care of the children, and more reliance on paid services. The rate of relative care is higher for Black and Hispanic families than White families. This however, is not immediately tied to cultural differences. Socio-economic factors are more important in the use of relatives vs. a paid service
This makes sense. Having been exposed to working class poor, middle class, and upper class lifestyles, I have seen the differences in action. It's unfortunate. Wish we could all be closer to our kin. More money, means more work, and less for others. Easier to just rely on a service. Plus, you have probably moved away from most of your kin, so it leaves out that option. The poorer you are they closer you stay to home.

The Color of Family Ties

This article focuses on the differences in family ties based on skin color. Again, white vs. black and Hispanic. Black/latino are more likely to have closer ties to extended kin. It is stated that Whites on average are more financially well off, and this factors in to family ties. In all colors, men are less involved with family than women.
The author finds that social class rather than color and culture plays a larger role in family relations. For example, whites in the poor class live similarly to black/latino in the poor class. All live closer to family and rely on them for help. However, we should denigrate or glorify the poor for their lifestyle. It's not their choice and is not necessarily better or worse than other classes. Social policies help to create the inequalities.

When I went on Appalachiathis summer, we volunteered in a predominantly Black, poor community. There was white family. I saw no difference in how either race lived. So, from what I observed, the socio-economic situation is the determinant factor in how they relate to others in their lives rather than perceived cultural prejudice.

Explaining the Gender Gap in Help to Parents

This research article goes into the subject of why adult daughters spend more time giving assistance to their parents than their sons. Nurturing elements of life are usually seen in the light of effeminacy. HOW MUCH OF THE DIFFERENCE CAN BE EXPLAINED BY SOCIAL STRUCTURE? Employment and job characteristics are factors in explaining the gender gap.
Paid employment can explain part of this factor. On average, women work less hours than men. They can devote more time to non-work related activities. There have been a number of studies made about this showing varying results.
The study finds that the gender gap is not that significant and it is decreasing. Employment status has been a factor in decreasing the gender gap.
Hard to argue science, so I won't. I agree with article. When my dad lost his job, I noticed that he became more active in connections with his parents and was also especially helpful taking care of my mother's parents when they fell ill. So, employment's a factor. I do howver think biology and culture play a large role. Women are naturally more equipped for nurturing roles in the family. Psychologically they have more empathy and are more motivated to help parents.

The Female World of Cards and Holidays

Women send out more cards than men. Wives often send the Christmas cards to her husbands kin. My mom does. Hope my wife does to make it easier for me, ha ha ha. Women are also more active in forming family events and celebrations, parties, etc. They just seem to care more. Maybe it's a psych thing?
Or maybe its social? Back in the day, maintenance of family life was set up as a girl thing and this way of thinking sspread through society like the Swine flu. A positive swine flu, in a way, but not exactly an egalitarian one. I mean, positive family relations are a good thing and someone's got to do them. Why not women?
The maintenance of family kin life is an uncredited form of women's work. It shown that if a woman/mother figure is absent in the family, extended kin ties falter. The men have less motivation.
Kin work has positives and negatives. Positives: fosters love, extra help, memories, happiness. Negatives: time-consuming, difficult, unnoticed, unappreciated. I think as men and women differences decrease then more men will take part in this. I don't necessarily know if that's a good thing. From what I have seen, women are much better at this and maybe we shouldn't fudge it. I mean if all differences between genders dissolve, how can we tell what is what? Is this inevitable? Should we be concerned?