Communication is the passing on of information from one person to another through speech, signals, writing or behaviour. Technology has influenced technology in society and in the family. Communication through telephone, e-mail, sms text messaging has allowed ease with communicating with others. In 1956, communication was not as sophisticated as it is now it was only in 1951 when the letter sorter was introduced. However the introduction of some technology has changed and hindered family communications, for example the television. In 1956 when the television was introduced Australia widely accepted it, but ever since communication with families has dropped with conversation revolving around the television. On a global spectrum the television has brought people from around the world closer together.
“Television made an enormous impact on our lives… completely altering our way of living”. In 1956, the television was introduced in Australia and was widely accepted by the people. Within two years of the televisions introduction 70 per cent of homes owned one. It was considered a necessity for families as communication was influenced by the television. Australia now had a third media source from print, radio and now television. The nature of the family could now be broadcasted on the television from a variety of television shows, not only providing entertainment but also an influence on the viewer’s own family life. Australian shows such as ‘Home and Away’ and ‘Neighbours’ address the issues of abortion, separation, divorce, rape and loneliness, which all surround a family. ‘Hey Dad’ portrayed a single male parent looking after his family. These television shows showed Australia that there was no perfect family and the issues faced in their own families may be experienced by others.
The introduction of many technologies has allowed labour saving and time saving tasks to be done. However the result is that society is becoming indolent and families are spending a lot less time outside the home.95% of people participate in some sort of home leisure activity; a home leisure activity is non-physical or passive. 71% of people watch at least 4 hours of television per day and resulting in more people becoming overweight and less active. There are technologies for weight loss but as the consumer market for the home continues to flourish the people of Australia are becoming too dependant on technology. Children are spending more time at home in front of the computer, television, new gaming system instead of going out. This can mean that families are not spending time outside the home together; instead leisure time as a family is spent at home. Before 1956, family time was spent on vacations, listening to the radio together and going to the theatre, this all changed when the television was introduced.
One of the factors of a family that is not directly affected by technology is the structure. In the 1950’s families were small and the baby boom began. Children being born out of wedlock were uncommon. The traditional nuclear family was common during the 1950’s. Divorce rates decreased slightly from the 1950’s to 1960’s. Today, de facto and homosexual relationships are common and the stigma attached to the group has lessened at more people are choosing that way of life. There are still adoption, extended families and step families in today’s society. The structure of a family has changed since the 1950’s but it does not change what a family is.
The family unit will always continue to have the same definition of being an important and simple institution but the nature in which it functions changes everyday as technology is rapidly taking over the world. As more technological changers occur, the family unit will change it integrate the technology into their everyday life. Technology is the major factor that is influencing change with the changing nature of the family.
Bibliography
Books
Aspin L, Individual, families and management, Longmann Cheshire, 1991
Chapter 10 discusses the changes that families face and how they need to manage it
Bereson I, Decades of Change – Australia in the Twentieth Century, Heinemann Education Australia, 1989
The book contains Australia’s social, political and technological history in a date-by-date format.
Cotter R, Change and Continuity – 20th Century Australian History, Macmillan Education, 1998
Page 144, Advertisement relating to roles of women in a family
Coupe S Rowan C, Society and You, Longman Chesire, 1995
Discusses what is happening with Australian families in society and how society affects families.
Dennis L, Australia since 1890, Longman Australia, 1996
It outlines the major political, economic and social developments in Australia from 1890 to 1995
Dugan M, A Century Turns 1890-1914, Macmillian, 1997
Page 32, shows a fridge, technology in the early 1900’s
Gunstone H, Matthews N, Roy E, Watson A, Journey through families and adolescence.
Pearson Education, 1996
The book explores diversity and development of families through time.
Healey K, Changing Roles in the Family, Spinney Press, 1993
Book provides information about roles within a family
Pollard M, The Family, Macdonald Publishing, 1987
Book contains definitions and statistics about family
Pook H, Australia – A technological society, Oxford Press 1991
Page 5 & 6, discusses how household appliances affect families.
Riddell R, Family Studies, Longman, 1987
Page 155-157 Is about household changes because of technology
Video
Glenn G, Songs of Innocence, The Australian Children’s Television Foundation, 1992
Discusses family structures from the eyes of the children
Readers Digest, Changing Ways, Film Australia/Look Television, Australian Film Commission, 1999
Shows how much Australia has changed across the century
Internet
Used Articles on Australian Family Social Trends and Australian Leisure and Culture
Didn’t use any specific information from there, but looked it information
Appendix
All the following technology advertisements are aimed at women.
Gunstone H, Matthews N, Roy E, Watson A, Journey through families and adolescence. Pearson Education, 1996
Gunstone H, Matthews N, Roy E, Watson A, Journey through families and adolescence. Pearson Education, 1996
Readers Digest, Changing Ways, Film Australia/Look Television, Australian Film Commission, 1999
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Yearbook Australia Population, Confinements resulting in multiple births, , last update 24/01/03
Bereson I, Decades of Change – Australia in the Twentieth Century, Heinemann Education Australia, 1989
Bereson I, Decades of Change – Australia in the Twentieth Century, Heinemann Education Australia, 1989
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Social Trends, Culture and Leisure, Last Update 18/11/02
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Social Trends, Culture and Leisure, Last Update 18/11/02
