Pro Nuclear Family Getting Started

Pro Nuclear Family

Getting Started

Many people have strongly-held opinions about the importance of the traditional family model. Some point to the myriad social problems currently observed in the United States and cite the breakdown of the family as the root cause. It is as if one could magically turn back the clock back to the 1950s, when the family structure was solid and family values were strong. Others argue that the 1950s were not the ideal time that everyone likes to remember through the mists of nostalgia. There existed many social problems then, too, and many families that were far from Leave-It-To-Beaver perfection. There are non-traditional family models that are as strong, or even stronger, than what has long been considered the traditional model of father in the role of breadwinner, mother as a stay-at-home worker in charge of child-rearing and housekeeping.

In developing an argument in favor of non-traditional families, there are two strategies that can be taken from "Finding Arguments: Thinking Like a Writer." The first is freewriting, which goes beyond brainstorming and involves "writing freely, and without stopping, whatever thoughts and ideas you have about your subject" (Goshgarian, Krueger and Minc 68). As opposed to brainstorming, when one just writes words or phrases, freewriting allows the writer to develop a line of reasoning without the constraints of grammar and spelling. Without worrying about the end product, the writer can be fully engaged in the process of developing ideas. Freewriting can be done with paper and pencil, of course, but today's technology makes freewriting even easier. One can type streaming thoughts into the computer, then easily go back later to rearrange and edit. Freewriting allows the writer to crystallize thoughts in preparation for a final paper or oral debate.

Another strategy is engaging in dialogue with others. As Goshgarian et al. point out, the dialogue does not have to be limited to conversation. It can include brainstorming together, soliciting of responses to one's freewriting, and interviews. The dialogue can be face-to-face or via electronic resources such as chat rooms, e-mail or listservs (Goshgarian et al. 70). Dialogue enables the writer to gather other opinions and perspectives. The writer may or may not change her mind; even if she does not, she gains an understanding of other's arguments and can use them as a starting point for the research that will support her own views in a debate.