American and Russian families

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AMERICAN FAMILY TRADITIONS
VS RUSSIAN FAMILY
TRADITIONS

2. Family traditions and rituals, typically passed down through generations, play an
important role in family life. Traditions and rituals help to define family values, such
as importance of family. For instance, a family which has the tradition of always
gathering for dinner on the holidays demonstrates the value of togetherness.
Through helping to shape a family's values, traditions and rituals work to give
families identities which family members can feel a sense of belonging to.

3. As for Russian family traditions, we can say, that they are much older.
Russians believe that the family has to have a defined head of the family. One
third believes this necessarily has to be a male. The tradition of taking a
husband's surname by a woman is supported by half of the respondents.
Traditionally the household duties are totally in charge of a woman and a man
has to make a bigger financial investment in the family which illustrates the
firm patriarchal traditions among Russians.

4. Examples of family
traditions and rituals
include weddings,
anniversaries, family
dinners and holiday
celebrations.
In the USA many holiday rituals
are based on a family's religion,
for example, fasting on Yom Kippur
(Judaism) or exchanging gifts on
Christmas (Christianity). Some
holidays, however, like Halloween
and Thanksgiving, transcend
religious boundaries and are
celebrated by American families
of different faiths.
There are a lot of official public holidays recognized by the Government
of Russia. On these days, people do not work, they celebrate. They are:
New Year's Day, Christmas, Defender of the Fatherland Day,
International Women's Day, Spring and Labour Day, Victory Day.
Russian holidays are important cultural events that bring visitors and
locals together. They provide an excuse to celebrate! There are also
religious holidays which are not celebrated by everybody.

5. There are a few things that all U.S.
weddings have in common. To begin
with, U.S. wedding ceremonies may be
either religious or civil. Most brides
prefer a large and rather elaborate
ceremony if it is their first wedding.
Marriages are not “arranged.” A
typical U.S. wedding
takes place between
two people who have
sought out a partner
and have found
someone whom they
believe they can share
their life with.
The same situation is in
Russia. Nowadays many
young couples have both civil
and religious ceremonies as
well. Marriages are not
“arranged.” But Civil unions
have been gaining popularity
in Russia lately. The main
reason is the housing
problem which is quite
sharp.
One of the most important
family traditions is wedding.

6. Many children in family make it poor in the majority of cases. Single-parent
families (usually it is a Russian woman) that represent nearly a quarter of all
Russian households have to survive, and to raise their children in economic
stress, and uncertainty. Families with disabled children are usually doomed to
coping with their financial and social problems on their own. The average
Russian family has one, or rarely two children.
The demographic rate
in Russia is dramatic.
Despite the state
support of young
families and
favourable terms for
home loans, this help
is quite limited and
insufficient, especially
when it comes to
larger families.
Traditionally there are
two or three children in
any American family.
There are many
governmental
programmes supporting
families with children.
There are all facilities
for disabled ones.

7. Russian separation has its
peculiarities. It is of more
psychological nature than
physical. The housing
shortage makes it a true
challenge. Separated Russian
spouses quite often have to
share the same apartment
and continue living together
in stress-provoking
conditions.
Besides, there is no legal
basis or social norm and
stereotypes of interaction
of the divorced spouses.
Their cooperation and mutual
participation in bringing up
common children totally
depends on them and may be
affected by the relatives
and the environment.
The divorce rate in America is
more than 50%. Why it is so
high. What is the real reason for
them to divorce? The answer is
the American belief. Freedom is
one of the most important beliefs
for America and nothing can
replace it besides love. When
Americans married, they don’t
run for long love. If they think
the love and family can’t offer
them happiness and safety, they
would choose to divorce. They
wouldn’t think more about the
family or the children because
they take themselves as the
center. Their dreams are running
for their own blessedness.

8. C
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Family is forever. Family is comfortable. Family
is fun. Families are loyal. This is the one place
on earth where forgiveness and understanding
must be abundant. It means the family stands
with any family member as he or she takes
responsibility for his or her actions. Love,
support, tolerance and caring must be the basis
for the relationship. These things must always be
there and never held back or withdrawn. They
must be unconditional. Family life today is more
challenging than ever.
"Love will see us through"