It is generally accepted that families are not as close as they used to be. Give some reasons why this change has happened and suggest how families could be brought closer together. Include any relevant examples from your experience.

The

last

25 years have seen significant changes in people's outlook towards life and

as a result

, family ties notably weakened. Modernisation and changing lifestyles have changed family values of people, over time. In

this

essay, I will discuss some of the several factors responsible for

this

change and will

also

suggest ways in which families can develop a stronger bond.

Firstly

, we need to understand the factors causing

this

change, only

then

we can think of measures to bring people together. One of the many reasons for

this

, is the growth of technology and a busy work schedule. Modern developments and advancement in the field of Computer Science have made lives considerably easier, but have greatly hampered the family ties. Young people have moved to new cities and different countries in search of better jobs and improved life quality.

For example

, in China, the joint family structure has altered a lot in the

last

couple years. The young Chinese generation have moved and are moving to distant English speaking countries for career advancement opportunities and higher remuneration. Due to

this

, there is a sharp fall in the number of large joint family units, by almost 40%. Another big factor, is the rise of the social media. The younger generation is more interested in maintaining friendships and relations with their families, via platforms like Facebook, Google and Instagram, rather than, participating in social gatherings and family functions.

Such

as, in the U.S, now only 40% of the American population, have dinner together with their families.

Also

,

for instance

, the fast track, busy lifestyle in the Netherlands and Germany, has lead to a 30% decrease in Christmas and Thanksgiving family get-togethers. There are different ways in which

this

problem can be minimised and families can be brought together. Education and raising awareness about the importance of sharing a strong bond with relatives should be highlighted. As revealed by schools in Canada, where moral science curriculums have stressed on teaching children, the benefits and values of sharing close-knit ties with cousins, grandparents, uncles, aunts and parents.

Therefore

, more Canadians have realised the significance of relationships and are spending more time with their near and dear ones.

Furthermore

, the governments and multinational companies worldwide, can take steps to reduce job related pressure. They should allow more incentives and grant paid leave, so that family members can enjoy their time with each-other. To exemplify, many Scandinavian corporate companies have started a 4-day work week and have increased the wages and annual paid leave of their employees. Owing to

this

, there has been great improvement in the social life of people. The Danes and the Norwegian youth are seen, spending their vacations socialising with their grandparents and cousins. In summary, families are very important. The 21st century has observed prominent technological advancements, the popularity of social media, mass immigration, professional growth, and educational competitions which have impacted close-knit family structures in a negative way, worldwide. Even though, familial relationship ties today, are not as strong as it used to be in the past, we can always work together to bring people together. Both the governments and individuals share

this

responsibility. Raising awareness and realising the seriousness of family connections and one's roots is the

first

crucial step to improve matters. Reducing workload, increasing wages, granting more paid leave, organising family gatherings and the governments ensuring these implementations take place, can definitely bring people together and strengthen social bonds.