Authority and Family structure in Bulgaria and Papua New Guinea

Authority and Family structure in Bulgaria and Papua New GuineaName:Institution:
Authority and Family structure in Bulgaria and Papua New Guinea
Common knowledge is likely to attest that observance of different cultures potentiate different types of family systems, dictated by their geographical and history settings. As a result, different cultures are likely to give varied emphasize on either nuclear families, comprising of father, mother and children or the extended family which constitutes grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and other kin members besides the nuclear family members. Management of the extended family requires more rigorous rules and presupposes stronger bonds between family members in order to keep the family together as a unit. This essay will look into the authority and family structures in Bulgaria and Papua New Guinea. It will highlight the differences in family settings in terms of their structures and their authority.
Family types have changed over time depending on the levels of civilization and their exposure to modernization, which has seen many traditional families go evolve from their barbaric settings. Nevertheless, modernization has not fully met the expectations of many women who consider it an avenue of promoting gender equality and enhance breaking away from the patriarchal societies which have infringed the rights of women. In spite of the continuous constitutional reforms in Bulgaria to offer women the equality professed in the constitution, women have remained to be perceived as house wives rather than able-bodied labor force in labor market. Women's fight for equal rights has been based on Bulgaria's Family code that spells out the need for equality between both genders. This has instilled aspects of liberalism in many Bulgarian families where women can pursue other interests as their spouses. On the other hand, the Papua New Guinea women suffer traditional stereotypes which have thwarted their dreams. Many women in the villages have nothing to fight for, as far as gender equality is concerned because they have been nurtured to be submissive housewives to their husbands and the male gender in general. This has inhibited their aggressiveness in seeking equality and other lives beyond the childbearing roles.
In Papua New Guinea villages, a basic household consist a husband, wife, unmarried children and in some scenarios, the husband' parents. Like Bulgarian families, the Papua New Guinea families value extended families although they reside in the adjacent houses. These families meet frequently for companionship, meals, ceremonies and work parties. Although modern families have broken away from having men's houses, young men still live together with other bachelors. One of the most important aspects of Papua New Guinea family includes exercising of family authority. In order to ensure peaceful coexistence between the nuclear and other relatives, household decisions are derived from consensus invol...