Question

Describe in what ways new reproductive technology is changing families. Do you think the changes in the family structure have a major influence on our society, its social institutions, its structure, & composition? What would be some of the consequences of one such major change?

(For this question, keep your answer focused on how the structure of 'family' as a social unit is changing because of improvements in reproductive technologies.)

Answer 1

Family plays an important role in the social, cultural, mental, and physical development of an individual. It is the basic unit of society. Without family, it is impossible to imagine the presence of any society.

reproductive technologies are developing very rapidly. They are creating ethical, socio-political controversies related to the family structure of modern society. (Vayena et al, 1997)

For an ancient time people have to use the various types of treatment for fertility enhancement but new reproductive technologies are creating new issues that challenge ethical and sociocultural beliefs. It also changes the lineage and kinship structure. There are many reproductive technologies that are changing the family structure in the 21st century. One of them is

• Contraception

• gamete intra-fallopian transfer

• in-vitro fertilisation

• intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection

• pre-implantation genetic diagnosis

• gamete donation and abortion etc.

In Western countries like the U.S., most of the families are living as nuclear families.

Kids leave their family from a very early age due to their academic and other study-related purposes. Hence, they do not get the chance to connect socially and emotionally with their family, parents and their culture. That is the main reason that most of the people in the western world do not care about and respect their parents as compared to the eastern world.