Challenging Our Ideas About The Typical Family... (Press, 4 December 1985)

During the weekend of 1-2 December 1985, the Family Affairs Forum took place at Christchurch Teachers College, focusing on redefining the traditional concepts of family in New Zealand. Attendees were encouraged to challenge the conventional notion of the nuclear family, which consists of a married couple and their children. This model is now in the minority, with various family structures like single-parent families, blended families, adoptive families, and extended families becoming increasingly common. The forum specifically raised questions about families without children, noting that approximately 10 per cent of domestic units in New Zealand belong to this category. In her opening address, sociologist Jan Cameron highlighted the strong societal ideology that prioritises parenthood, suggesting that those who do not become parents are often viewed through a lens of moral or psychological deficiency. This ideology complicates the acceptance of couples who choose to remain childless, as well as for those struggling with infertility who feel pressured to explore every possible option for childbearing. Cameron emphasized the need to distinguish between biological parenthood and social relationships, asserting that reproduction is a physiological act whereas family formation is a social construct. Cameron posed significant questions regarding the nature of parenthood and the definition of family. For instance, she queried whether the purpose of reproduction is merely to have a child or to establish a family, and whether a child's family includes their birth mother in cases of adoption or surrogacy. The forum also considered who qualifies as a parent, raising the possibility of recognising homosexual couples as potential parents. The remainder of the forum involved workshops tackling issues related to family dynamics, such as single-parent families, new reproductive technologies, and domestic violence. These sessions were led mostly by individuals with personal experiences related to the topics, rather than solely professionals, thereby fostering an inclusive environment. Heather Foster from the Christchurch Marriage Guidance Council explained that the workshop format aimed to meet the diverse needs of participants and encouraged engagement among professional and lay attendees. Although some participants expressed disappointment at the absence of conventional experts, others found great value in reflecting on their personal feelings and experiences regarding family. The forum, the first of its kind in the South Island, successfully attracted a mix of 56 individuals working within various family contexts, demonstrating that collaboration and shared learning among professionals and community members can be beneficial. The organisers were pleased with the interaction, dispelling the myth that professionals alone possess all the answers in navigating family-related challenges.

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