Reply to The "village". Why communal child rearing doesn't translate easily to American culture.

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think you’re incorrect. I think it comes down to the fact that American women can earn money and aren’t interested in providing free labor for others. I’d argue people in your village didn’t have good opportunities, including even leisure activities, and were expected to provide unpaid labor.

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Individualism mindset. Refusal to help each other even though it is what is best for everyone. “Free Labor” you mean helping out your family members??? [/quote]

DP
I would consider that free labor as it mostly falls unfairly to women who are treated as "less than" - in other cultures and in ours. [/quote]

+100000

[b]A village just means relying on unpaid female labor. That’s it. Usually because people don’t have any money or means to outsource care. [/b]

Many Americans help out family members. There’s a difference between occasionally helping a family member out, and being a full time caregiver.

[/quote]

#1, not necessarily, #2, if “unpaid labor” is reciprocated, it doesn’t really matter that it’s “female labor.”

I have seen how this works in my family.  People contribute their time, their knowledge, their skills.  Your 2nd cousin the doctor will come with you to your appointment when you’ve gotten a bad diagnosis.  Your rich brother will pitch in so you go on a nicer vacation with him or get your kids nice things for school.  Your older relative will watch your kids after school (NOT full time caregiving!!).  It’s a social safety net.  Right now Americans don’t have that- from the government or their families.  We’re big losers.[/quote]

Exactly. We are middle eastern Americans and this is how we operate!

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I think the two of you are being disingenuous.  Typical of posts that claim an entire area instead of a specific culture.  Anyway sure there's some positives to "village" concept of raising children.family but there are also drawbacks.[/quote]

Disingenuous in what sense?  Middle eastern communities have strong social ties based on family but also religion, proximity and ethnic origin.  It’s a major support through life.  This isn’t really controversial.

As a second generation immigrant I am intimately familiar with both cultures and it’s pretty obvious that the “village” is just a lot healthier emotionally.  This isn’t “propaganda” for women to stop working either.  All of the women in my family work demanding jobs.  In fact the men feel a broader responsibility towards their extended families as well.

The drawbacks (mostly a push to conformity) pale in comparison to the benefits in my opinion.  I am seeing it right now as a family member goes through cancer.  She feels very supported and loved in a very scary time. [/quote]

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