Introduction
to
Family Over the Lifespan
There are some academic reasons for studying mate selection, love, marriage
and family life, but they almost always have, at their core, the fundamental
welfare of family life. In this course, we will concentrate on the following
reasons for the course:
-
To improve communication, conflict-resolution, and interpersonal
skills between family members. We need to be able to understand each other
better.
-
To Understand change in marriage and the family and its significance
for each person. The economy changes and so do family relationships.
-
To develop a realistic view of ourselves, our partners, and our
relationships. We need to learn to become less idealistic and still enjoy
and love each other.
-
To clarify our values as a basis for making sounder choices in life.
Why is the nation involving itself in affairs in the Middle East? What
business is it of ours? Mine?
-
To prepare for and achieve satisfying and fulfilling marriage and family
relationships. How do women want to be treated? What are men really
like?
I understand the dynamics of discussing these topics. The course covers
sensitive issues. For example, we will discuss sexuality, intimacy and
parenting issues, not because they are titillating, but because they are
important!! We will speak of sexually transmitted diseases, so that you
might able to save your own life someday, or the lives of people you touch
with your daily activities.
It is safe to say that among the goals everyone sets for themselves,
being happy is right up there at the top. Nothing makes people sadder than
failed relationships with their children, spouse, or relatives. This course
is all about how to succeed in close relationships with others
We are going to investigate what we know about
-
love (searching for it, falling in it, getting out of it, finding it again)
-
sex (how to do it, what makes it good, how it feels emotionally, how to
keep from dying from it)
-
establishing long term relationships
-
maintaining friendships and love relationships over the lifespan.
We will also look at the preparation for and the rearing of children from
pregnancy to adulthood, as well as family life after retirement, or widowhood,
or divorce. Anytime you have questions, bring them up in class or e-mail
me at dwitt@uakron.edu (be sure to identify yourself by the course
title in your emailings).
Forward to Diversity in American Family Life
Back to the syllabus