A sociology book called The Family: Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change explores how families are evolving in modern society. The book discusses a wide range of family-related subjects, including gender roles, marriage, parenting, and family diversity (Cohen, 2015). Sociologist and demographer Philip N. Cohen use statistics and research to examine how families are changing and how these changes are affecting society as a whole. The book delves deeply into the patterns and trends that are influencing modern families, such as the rise of single-parent households, the loss of marriage, and the widening diversity of families (Cohen, 2015). The decreasing popularity of the name “Mary” in the US is a reflection of the growing individualism and self-expression of parents, who are opting for distinctive and uncommon names for their children rather than sticking to conventional naming practices.
The diversity of families is one of the book’s primary themes. According to the author, families nowadays are more diverse in terms of colour, ethnicity, and sexual orientation, and this variety is significantly altering society (Cohen, 2015). He looks at how different kinds of families are affected by social change and inequality and how these experiences affect their daily lives. The book also examines how gender relations are being impacted by how men’s and women’s roles and expectations inside families are evolving (Cohen, 2015). It analyzes the way technology, the media, and other cultural elements are influencing life as well as how families are adjusting to these changes.
The emphasis on individuality in society underwent a considerable shift in the 20th century. Individualism and self-expression became increasingly crucial to humans, and this trend was reflected in how parents called their children. Following conventional naming practices, children used to frequently be given names that were variations of their parents or other family members’ names. However, as the 20th century went on, more parents started going against tradition and picking out odd and original names for their children (Cohen, 2015). This custom had its origins in the idea that children should uphold the family name and show respect for their ancestors. Additionally, it served as a means of preserving cultural practices and family customs. The chosen names, which were typically derived from those of significant family members, such as grandparents, were believed to bring luck and blessings to the child (Cohen, 2015). This custom was widespread in societies that placed great significance on ancestors and family.
Parents are now more inclined to select names that have special meanings for their children, such as the name of a favourite place or character from a book or a name that is distinctive and stands out. Additionally, they could opt for names with specific significance or ties to their cultural or ethnic background. This movement in naming practices reflects the change in societal values and the growing significance placed on uniqueness and self-expression.
The growth of celebrity-inspired names or well-known fictional characters is another indication of this tendency toward identifying children after people that have particular importance to them. Some parents pick names that are representative of their passions, like the names of their favourite bands or sports teams. Additionally, some parents pick names that are symbolic of anything spiritual or environmental in order to express their personal values or worldview. As they want their child’s name to reflect their family’s history and identity, many parents are also selecting names that are representative of their cultural or ethnic origin. As more parents choose names from many cultures and languages, this has increased the diversity of names given to infants.
The decreasing popularity of the name “Mary” in the United States reflects the tendency toward individualism and parents’ desire to give their children unusual names. Following conventional naming practices, it used to be typical for kids to be named after their parents or other family members (Cohen, 2015). However, as society has developed and placed more value on originality, more parents are opting to give their kids unordinary names that deviate from the mainstream.
This trend toward individuality and distinctive naming may be observed clearly in the fall of the name “Mary” in the United States. The Social Security Administration found that between 1880 and 1946, “Mary” was the most often used name for females born in the United States (Cohen, 2015). Mary, however, was no longer among the top 100 names by the 2000s and had fallen out of the top 10 by the 1970s (Cohen, 2015). This fall in popularity is a blatant sign that parents are opting for odd and uncommon names for their children instead of traditional, familiar names.
Additionally, the study by Philip N. Cohen, published in The Family: Diversity, Inequality and Social Change in 2015, demonstrates that the variety of names given to infants has been growing over time. African American, Latino, and Asian American families exhibit this trend the most, as they frequently name their children after members of their own ethnic communities (Cohen, 2015). This lends even more, credence to the notion that parents are eschewing conventional naming practices in favour of selecting names that are more distinctive and representative of their personal preferences and values.
The rise of individuality in the 20th century altered how parents chose names for their children. However, parents started to see naming their children as a method to reflect their own particular style and values as the emphasis on individuality grew (Cohen, 2015). The popularity of strange and uncommon names, as well as the growing diversity of baby names, are both indicators of this mindset change. Additionally, the advent of social media, which has given people a forum to express themselves and share their individuality with the world, is a reflection of the increase in individualism. Since everyone is urged to stand out in today’s society, many parents now view giving their children a name as a method to express style and values as well as to offer their children a distinct personality.
In conclusion, the twentieth century brought a focus on individuality and opportunities for parents to choose more unique names for their children. This trend is reflected in the decline of traditional, common names, such as “Mary,” and the increasing diversity of names given to babies. It also reflects a shift in the way parents approach naming their children, viewing it as a way to express their own personal style and values. As society continues to place a greater emphasis on individualism, we can expect this trend towards unique and unusual names to continue. Modern parents are no longer constrained by conventional naming customs and have access to a wide selection of possibilities. They can select names from other cultures and languages, play around with different spellings, or even come up with completely original names.
Reference
Cohen, P. N. (2015). The Family: Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change. Norton & Co.