Communication Between Cultures

Globalization and Families

Earlier we noted that for the last twentyyears, families in the United States have

been in a period of flux. Modifications in what constitutes a family were brought

about by a redefining of gender roles, an increase in multicultural and multiracial

marriages, changes in dating and mating patterns, new laws regarding homosexual-

ity, and a recognition that many people choose not be married. It is not only fami-

lies in the United States that have experienced alterations in what constitutes a

family. Globalization has redefined families throughout the world. As Karraker

points out,“Social scientists recognize that the velocity of social change around

the globe in the 21st century is shaping the family as an institution in revolutionary

ways.”^24 As just mentioned, a major catalyst of this“reshaping”ofthefamilyisglob-

alization. This dynamic process is one of the major driving forces restructuring many

social institutions around the world. It isour contention that families are one of the

institutions at the center of this change. Although we discussed globalization earlier

in the book, we will revisit the concept as we examine its effect on families. The

rationale is simple—globalization is much more than“the process by whichparticu-

larpeoples of the world’s 170 nations participate in a single system that encompasses

all peoples and nations.”^25

Realistically, and from a human perspective, globalization has a series of conse-

quences that go well beyond the exchange of goods and services. Hence, we maintain,

along with Trask, that

Globalization is the critical driving force that is fundamentally restructuring the social

order around the world, and families are at the center of this change. In every society

traditional notions about family life, work, identity and the relationships of individuals

and groups to one another are being transformed due to globalizing forces.^26

Having recognized that globalization has changed the traditional family structure

in many parts of the world, we move to a more detailed explanation of some of

these alterations. The most obvious impact of globalization is that it has created a

world where millions of workers now leave their families and move from one country

to another to seek jobs and higher wages. The World Bank noted in 2014,“More

than 250 million people live outside their countries of birth.”^27 Many of these people

migrate as a way to escape poverty. However, when they“escape,”they often trans-

form the makeup and character of their family, as migration places“significant stress

on relationships among parents, children, elders, and other family members.”^28 The

stress of breaking up the family can take a variety of forms. There is an impact on

the social lives of both the migrants who move to a new culture and the families

they leave behind. There are also countless occasions when parents who are illegal

are sent home, and the children often remain in the new country without their par-

ents. As Karraker notes,“The challenges and cultural contradictions of immigration

can affect an array of family dynamics, including intergenerational care giving and

gender relations.”^29 In most instances, migrating individuals are from extended fami-

lies where for centuries both parents and other family members have taken an active

role in child rearing. Our point is that globalization has altered that dynamic. A few

specific examples help illustrate our assertion.

The Philippines present a vivid case of how migration, stimulated by globalization,

has changed many extended families. In the Philippines, mothers now leave home to

Globalization and Families 77

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