In Frank Bruni’s post “What Family Really Means,” he discusses how the way we view families is evolving and changing, and the way we view these changes reflects the mentality of society. He opens his post by giving an example of an unorthodox family structure and the family he talks about consists of his friend named Elli. Elli is 65 but has never given birth or cared for an infant in any way; instead she visits Zimbabwe and helps kids who want to learn in America with applications, fees and any other obstacles they face. They confide in her and ask her for help when they need it; they are a family. This example proves very effective as it invokes a sense of empathy, but in addition to this sense of empathy it also showcases an alternative form of a family structure that is very necessary. |
Bruni later goes on to discuss the “Synod of Bishops on the Family,” a meeting held between the Pope and his bishops that discusses many debated points in the Catholic Church and especially in the American presidential race today. One of the points addressed is that of divorced parents, as someone with four siblings, three of which are half-brothers he discusses how divorce is being addressed only now because of the fact that society views women as equals. He cites a recent Pew survey and draws to the reader’s attention how Catholic views have changed on familial matters. The article addresses many other equally important topics such as homosexual adoption and in vitro fertilization, but the points I talked about seemed important to me as someone who’s closest brother is only biologically half related.
-Garrett
Cox, John. "Pope Lectures Catholic Elders at Closing of Synod on Family." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2015. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.
"Chapter 5: Beliefs About Sin." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. Pew Research Center, 1 Sept. 2015. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.
Bruni, Frank. "What Family Really Means." The New York Times. The New York Times, 24 Oct. 2015. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.
"Free Image on Pixabay - Pope Francis, Rome, Religion." Free Photo: Pope Francis, Rome, Religion. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.
-Garrett
Cox, John. "Pope Lectures Catholic Elders at Closing of Synod on Family." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2015. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.
"Chapter 5: Beliefs About Sin." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. Pew Research Center, 1 Sept. 2015. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.
Bruni, Frank. "What Family Really Means." The New York Times. The New York Times, 24 Oct. 2015. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.
"Free Image on Pixabay - Pope Francis, Rome, Religion." Free Photo: Pope Francis, Rome, Religion. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.