Final Thought for IDS 2103

Rojji Stanley
IDS 2103

Exploring and Establishing Relationships

Relationships are a huge part of life and who we are. The way we are brought up, our religion, and our experiences all affect the way we learn to deal with other people. In Unit Two we learned how not only society but also biology plays a big role in who we are. We also learn the importance of loving and being loved. In article seven Shulman says, “Marriage is dead! The twin vises of church and law have relaxed their grip on matrimony” (Shulman, 37). It made me incredibly sad to learn that fifty percent of all marriages end in divorce. As a society we have made it too easy to just “give up” when things get a little hard. The grass is greener attitude or the search for that one and only soul mate is keeping us from having healthy marriages. In article six titled “This Thing Called Love” Lauren Slater describes the adventures in her love life. Hearing stories like hers, describing how love is not always butterflies and how normal it is to be “comfortable”, makes my life seem more “normal”.

Relationships are hard and the exciting passion you feel at the beginning is not always going to be there. This is important to me because I feel so many people take this for granted. When given an inch, people tend to take it. Now that divorce is so easy, people are taking advantage. I miss the days of our grandparents when marriage really meant something, and when children were instilled with manors and morals. If we don’t set good examples, what are our children suppose to model after? In chapter four of Families, Schools, and Communities, “most new parents emulate the parenting skills they observed and experienced in their own childhood” (Barbour, 92). Divorce is difficult for every one, especially the child. Now each parent is reduced to one income, and having to work even more to make up the difference. More work means less time for parenting. This can leave these children hurt and confused, and as soon as they get into the groove of their “new life”, a step parent and step children are thrown into the picture. There are exceptions to the rules, and in some cases divorce might be better for a child than an unhappy or abusive situation. As teachers we need to be sensitive to all family structures. I found chapter four very informative about the roles and experiences of parents. I don’t have any children myself, and have never had to deal with divorced parents or step siblings. Reading these articles are important to be a better, more well rounded, diverse teacher.

In conclusion be true to yourself when it comes to relationships. A committed relationship is about happiness and sharing your hopes and dreams with some one while exposing yourself to weakness. It is about having someone to learn and grow with. The benefits of marriage are listed in Article Seven, The Family. Financial security, more assets, even health are all listed as benefits (Shulman, 37-38). As future teachers we need to realize the importance of commitments, and healthy relationships so we will be able to instill these qualities not only in our children, but in our students.