How do feminist and queer interventions challenge ideas of the “nuclear family?” What do they say are the limits? What other visions do we see for the ways that families can be formed? What are your thoughts about family structure and what these interventions offer us?
After reading the article “Beyond marriage”, its clear as to why feminists and queer interventions challenge the ideas of “nuclear families”. “Nuclear family” is defined as “a couple and their dependent children, regarded as a basic social unit”. Although the definition itself isn’t problematic, social expectations of what a nuclear family should be is what’s so unpleasant. If you are anything other than a cis straight male/female with your own kids, its hard to fit into society and be considered a functional family. This means that queer/trans couples are shunned upon and not considered a “real family”. This is especially bad for older queers as the article states “an estimated 70-80% of LGBT elders live as single people”. Not only is this quite sad, it’s even worse that disabled elders cannot get healthcare benefits that only come when you are legally married. This just brings up the limitations that American society places on feminists and queer individuals. Society shuns queer individuals for having relationships which then results to queer elders not getting married in fear of being ostracized.
These are only a few issues that LGBTQ community face and its important that we push for changes. It’s important to note that there is not a “standard” family dynamic. As long as you and your partner cares for your child, there really shouldn’t be an issue. I believe that these intervention’s are great and we definitely need to take more steps to achieve equality.
