159 CHRISTIE NELSON – The modern family

The Modern Family

WORDS: CHRISTIE NELSON

Family photo credit: Kate Lafferty photography 2021

As the big, white Census envelopes begin to appear in our letter boxes, the radio and television screens are swamped with Government announcements asking us where we’ll be on the Census evening, it’s evident another five years has passed and it’s time to update the country’s statistics yet again.

The biggest and saddest irony is, that most of us will be on the couch under stay-at-home orders with not much else to do in the middle of a pandemic apart from a Census form; something certainly not predicted by the Bureau of statistics back in 2016 and not the excitement we were all looking for in 2021. I have been having a little giggle to myself about how to complete our questionnaire because our family dynamic is quite fluid depending on where any of the six children are at the time and often, we are a blended family of eight, predominantly semi-blended of five, sometimes three and occasionally, it’s just the two of us. Is there enough room on a form for that?

I can tell you firsthand that it makes food shopping a nightmare and if you’re ever thinking of referring to us a ‘nuclear family’, we’ve well and truly created more of an atomic explosion!

Over the years, people have likened us to The Brady Bunch and this made me think about the evolution of what is considered a ‘modern family’ and how in the 60’s and 70’s, the Brady’s were in enough of a unique situation to create a whole series about it. I recall that even in the 80’s when my own parents separated, I was one of very few children living between two parents, however, now days it’s not uncommon. In an ideal world, everyone would live happily ever after as they intended of course, although, individual circumstances, a tragedy or the power of making proactive choices will always play a part in how families end up being structured and really, who’s to say what is supposed to be ‘normal’ and what’s not anyway these days?

If you combine all these factors with the steadily increasing population, immigration, religious and cultural shifts, the growing acceptance of nontraditional relationships and an increasing number of people choosing career and education over ‘settling down’, it makes for a myriad of family situations.

In 2017, we saw the Nation vote for marriage equality and same sex marriage was recognised in Australia in the same year, therefore formalising some family or partnership situations for many people, adding to the list of dynamics.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ projections, “in 2041, there are projected to be between 12.6 million and 13.2 million households in Australia (up from 9.2 million in 2016).

 Family households are projected to remain the most common household type in Australia, at 69% to 71% of all household in 2041.  Lone-person households are projected to make up 24% to 27% of all Australian households in 2041.  Group households are projected to make up 4% to 5% of all households in 2041.”

It will be interesting to see if these projections alter greatly in the next handful of years if Australia continues to limit immigration due to the pandemic, or we experience an economic downturn and citizens start to reconsidering starting a family or increasing their family (other than purchasing expensive designer puppies and sour dough starters instead of overseas holidays) due to affordability issues from income loss or business closures. The ‘modern family’ may change all over again due to those factors, as it has in a cyclical fashion over the years.

No matter what your family make-up, I hope many have been learning to appreciate the loved ones they suddenly can’t visit, feel protective of those who are vulnerable and even though we may be going a little bonkers stuck in close quarters with some of our own nearest and dearest; spare a though for those who have the family status of living on their own who may be doing it a bit tough.

STAY SAFE & WELL EVERYONE.

Christie is a busy mum, dual health and wellness business owner, business builder, professional social networker, President of the Southern Business Women’s Network and also a licensed estate agent. Christie’s personal businesses can offer solutions and products to those seeking a positive change in their world.

For further information, please email youcanactivewear@gmail.com or go to www.youcanlifestyle.com.au | www.christienelson.arbonne.com youcanactivewearandlifestyle youcanactivewear christienelson0827