Source: Me!
Relation: Comparing my family composition to that of the typical, "ideal family in America"
Description: Before my parents got divorced, we fit the mold of an ideal American family. My family consisted of my mom, dad and younger brother. We even had a pet to complete the cookie cutter family composition. After my parents' divorce, the perfect family composition became complicated. My dad married a women about 5 years after his divorce from my mom. His new wife had two kids, making them my step-siblings. My parents have always had 50/50 custody of my brother and I so we would go back and forth between them quite frequently. Shortly after my dad's wedding, my stepmother and him had a child, Zachary, who is my half brother. My dad has since divorced his second wife and he is now single. My mom has never been remarried. Now that I am old enough I don't have to adhere to custody agreements, I visit my parents as I please. My two younger brothers, however, still go back and forth between their moms and our dad. Most people find this to be complicated but to me it's nothing out of the ordinary. One thing I find especially weird though, is that I now have "ex" step-siblings and an "ex" stepmother whom I no longer speak to.
Commentary/Analysis: While my family composition might seem complicated, to me it's normal. Having a different family composition than most of my friends has never affected me in any negative way. I am not bitter about having divorced parents and I think that the way I have grown with my family has shaped who I am today.
Love your positive out look on your family! Not most people could even image what you had to go through, so they think that it is hard for you. My parents got a divorce when I was in 6th grade but 5 years later, they got back together and remarried. I sort of know how you feel with the back and forth every other weekend and what not. I hated the arrangements but had to get used to it. Then as i was getting used to the divorce, they got back together and i had to then again change my way of living. But like you said, all of this has made me who i am today. This life stutation made me stronger as well as some problems with trust sometimes. But its all okay:)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this! I love how you give a situation that many people put a negative label on, with a more positive light. My parents have never divorced, but I've had many friends who have gone through it and they seem fine now. I think it's amazing you overcame such huge jumps with your at-home life, and you are an amazing wonderful person that I'm happy to know! Don't forget your 50 sorority sisters to add to that family composition! Haha. Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteSo I think you chose a very interesting topic to write about for your blog. I do have one question though. You state that your family composition is not normal. I understand your meaning since normal is defined by the nuclear family with two parents and 2.5 kids. However that ideal of normal was created more than 50 years ago. Do you think the ideal of a normal family has changed? Considering that more than 50 percent of America is divorced, I think it is safe to assume that those values have changed. What is your thought on this?
ReplyDeleteAlthough your situation may be one that is becoming more and more prevalent in our society, you definitely show that it does not always have to mean negative consequences for the family. I thought that your description and analysis were very true and real, giving good insight to those who are not familiar with this type of family composition, such as myself.
ReplyDelete