It is quite predictable that the family’s traditions and ideas of orientation as well as cultural background largely affect a person’s worldviews. This phenomenon of influence especially concerns the impact it has on a person’s beliefs regarding such concepts as marriage, family, dating and partner choosing, or leaving alone. As an African American female, I can admit that the history of African Americans still has some influence on the relationships dynamic. Nevertheless, the scope of this impact has drastically changed over time: young African Americans accept and follow the norms and common patterns of creating a family or maintaining relationships.
Indeed, my cultural background influenced my personal beliefs and goals regarding marriage, family, dating, and spouse or life-long partner choosing. In African families, men often took up the role of the surrogate father for children of his spouse. Another common quality is that both men and women worked equally hard during their labor in the past historical realities. It is an aspect that shows the essential difference between Latin American and African American families since the characteristics of machismo is quite detrimental for Latin women and found in the Mexican culture (Eggleton, 2018). In fact, the representatives of both genders in African American families would show much strengths and resourcefulness to earn living.
In a traditional African American family, LGBT marriages are not accepted with enthusiasm and understanding (at least in most cases). As Trahan and Goodrich (2019) state, if an African American daughter or son comes out as LGBT, their parents might view it as an assault on traditional gender roles (i.e., masculine and feminine). I can admit that I do not approve of gay marriage. At the same time, I do not openly despise people with the mentioned sexual orientation. It can be also noted that African Americans have mostly negative view of such gay marriages due to religious beliefs. In fact, Trahan and Goodrich (2019) also mention the studies of Taylor, Chatters, and Levin, who admitted that the African American church typically consists of the three aspects. According to the citations, the Baptist church includes “services led by the pastor of the church, congregants participating in rituals that have been passed down (call and response), and restoring congregants’ humanity services” (Trahan & Goodrich, 2019, p.149). The pastor and the church’s worldviews are mostly associated with the negative view of the LGBT community. The same goes for gay parenting and adoption.
As for choosing to stay single, I have a rather neutral position. In fact, it is possible to get by without a long-term partner. However, relationships might give privileges and benefits that make advantages overweigh the costs. It is necessary to look at this question through the lenses of Family Systems Theory. The given theory sees any family as a functioning structure that serves to solve problems, makes wise and practical decisions, and achieve collective (familial) goals (Benokraitis, 2015). Moreover, relationships and marriage give psychological, physiological, and social benefits to both partners. According to Benokraitis (2015), marriage as a structural unit provides the following functions to each of its members, including regulation of sexual activity, procreation and socialization, economic security, emotional support, and social class placement. It is also necessary to mention that marriage involves all properties associated with friendship, including enjoyment, acceptance, trust, respect, mutual support, confiding, understanding, and honesty (Benokraitis, 2015). Therefore, even common-law marriage might be a bit wiser decision that not having any partner.
As can be seen, cultural background has a vital influence on how people perceive the world and different concepts. The beliefs thriving in the African American culture made me more inclined to support heterosexual relationships and living with a long-term partner or spouse, in a procreation family. It is evident that having a long-term partner might give the necessary emotional and economic support, as well as improved socialization.
References
Benokraitis, N. (2015). Marriage and Families (8th edition). Pearson.
Eggleton, M. (2018). No so Macho, Macho Man: Effects of Machismo Culture on Women in Latin America. COLA Research and Creativity Conference.
Trahan Jr, D. P., & Goodrich, K. M. (2015). You Think You Know Me, But You Have No Idea” Dynamics in African American Families Following a Son’s or Daughter’s Disclosure as LGBT. The Family Journal, 23(2), 147-157.