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#14: Multiplicity of the Nuclear Family Model

The video “Modern Times: Camille Paglia & Jordan B Peterson” is an interview between an American intellectual and social critic, Dr. Camille Paglia, and a Canadian psychologist and author, Jordan B Peterson that discusses how the effects of repression and oppression are seen in both men and women. The concept of a person’s biology and gender relating to social spaces has a multiplicity of political views. The political views of the nuclear family model where men are assigned to be the providers for a family while a woman’s role is to be a maternal provider are becoming radicalized.

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As society enters the twenty-first century, the traditional role of men as the primary providers for their families is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve. The shift away from traditional gender roles in the workforce means that individuals are now expected to balance the responsibilities of homemaker and provider. The feminist movement encourages young girls to pursue education and non-traditional roles. As more women enter previously male-dominated roles, they may face new communication barriers due to different interaction styles between men and women. Paglia analyzes that there is a predetermined sequence of events in how men communicate. Men first get together and if there are any arguments or conflicts, they “…just will have a fist fight and … ten minutes later we’re gonna have a beer at the bar right next to each other” (Peterson 48:57-49:18). This preconceived sequence of events supports men being more direct and assertive and has raised concerns about how to manage conflict and resolution in the workforce with a combination of male and female communication styles.

The phrase “you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t” perfectly describes the dilemma that women face when they have to choose between motherhood or pursuing a higher education and career. There is a stark contrast in the way communication takes place between a homemaker and an educated woman. A homemaker may reinforce the traditional nuclear family model by encouraging educated women to prioritize their husband’s needs over their professional aspirations. On the other hand, an educated woman may encourage the homemaker to strive for a higher level of education and professional success. If the homemaker has children, the responsibility of finding a balance between maintaining the household and being the provider falls on the husband’s shoulders. Paglia argues that the communication contrast starts with the professional class being hypocritical for delaying having children while reinforcing a “hypersensitive bourgeois” code in universities (Peterson 1:09:18-1:09:27). This code suggests that it’s more advantageous to have children at a young age. In theory, having children at a young age is often considered to have benefits such as increased energy and lower risks of certain health issues. However, the well-being of a family is more important than adhering to traditional gender roles for males and females. Stacey E. Rubin and H. Ray Wooten’s article “Highly Educated Stay-at-Home Mothers: A Study of Commitment and Conflict” analyzes the significant impact of how stay-at-home mothers either educated or uneducated women, are treated and respected by a masculine society. Rubin and Wooten presented recommendations for counselors based on their research findings. Their findings show that “…isolation is a common challenge for stay-at-home mothers and may contribute to feelings of sadness and loss of self,” “…loss often manifests as loss of identity, self-esteem, validations, and a dream,” and the concerns about financial vulnerability and self-care (Rubin, Wooten 343-344). Rubin and Wooten’s article did not explicitly mention the nuclear family model. However, it can be inferred that a therapist or counselor can enhance its relevance in the present time.