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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 13, 1983)
‘Family’ gets new meaning Prof, says it isn’t just Mom, Pop and kids By Joan Herman Of th* Emerald The traditional view of “The Family" as a rigid, unchanging institution with a primary function of procreation not only limits living alternatives, but also has serious economic consequences for women, said a Michigan State University sociology professor Tuesday night. Two words — The Family — imply a singular entity, with housewife Mom, breadwin ner Pop, Dick, Jane, Puff and Spot. Yet only 16 percent of all families fit this traditional conception, said Barrie Thorne, who left her Michigan post to become a visiting sociology and feminism professor at Stanford University this year. Thorne’s lecture is sponsored by the Center for the Study of Women in Society. She speaks today on a similar topic, “Girls and Boys Together But Mostly Apart: Gender Ar rangements in Elementary Schools,” at 3:30 p.m. in Room 204 Condon. The family crises differ, depending on who’s talking. President Reagan often says he works in "defense of the family," Thorne said. "But what does that mean?" For the Phyllis Schafleys, it means protec ting the family “against feminism, lesbian and gay rights, woman’s employment and daycare.” Their notion of family crisis developed from a “yearning for qualities they’re afraid will be gone forever if we continue like we are,” she said. Yet the actual family crises, such as work overload for employed mothers and im poverishment for families headed by single women, are ignored by the New Right, Thorne said. In fact, the New Right contributes to these crises by supporting the illegalization of abor tion and the denial of contraception to Barrie Thorne teenagers. “Built into the economy’s organization is the belief most women have husbands who support them,” Thorne said. “This belief justified paying women less, often by giving them lower-paying service work.” The consequences of this economic ine quality are more impoverished women than men. Today more than two-thirds of families headed by single women are considered im poverished. If these trends continue, women will comprise virtually all the impoverished by the year 2000, Thorne said. The feminist movement’s efforts to redefine the family may eventually alleviate some of the problems nourished by traditional thinking, she said. “Feminists don’t presume there is only one type of family,” Thorne told the predominantly female audience. “They offer a pluralistic vision of looking at the family.” Like all other institutions in society, the family evolves. This variation is not new, Thorne said. “I’m not wedded to the idea we should all live in only one way.” Headline mistake misleads readers Due to a copy editor’s error, a headline that appeared in Tuesday’s Emerald was misleading. The headline “University quality ‘poor’ ” did not reflect the content of the article, nor did it express the views of anyone quoted in the article. The article’s emphasis was that while University fun ding has been “poor,” the University has been able to maintain a very high-quality level, with top national rank ings in molecular biology, psychology and biochemistry. University Pres. Paul Olum, to whom the headline was attributed, has consistently praised the quality of the University’s academic programs. The Emerald regrets any confusion or misrepresenta tion the headline may have caused. Ladies' Night FREE Champagne for all ladies 7:00 - midnight this Thursday new cook • new menu now serving dinners I Sand 30th (across from LCC) 746-8308 COLOR ANALYSIS SENSATION! The Key to An Image • Skin, eye and hair color determine your season • Personal color season swatch packets and booklets • Make-up artistry for you • Personalized skin care treatment • Wardrobe coordination Personal and Group Appointments Now! FOCGS ON COLOR. . . focus on you Professional Color Consultants 343-2058 V ACTION, COMPETENCE, & INNOVATION mmmmm r l71*KAary Hotchkiss 0'Kevin Kouns ''SPA is the best representative for Women's issues on campus." Holly Hutton, Co-Director; Women's Referral Service Charlotte Jenkins, Director, Women in Transition "SPA has a sincere committment to the needs of minority students." Tess Brasser. Director, Minority Student Law Assoc. "SPA is a strong voice for students committed to environmental issues and concerned about the threat of nuclear (Numbers indicate ballot position) (I) William Odegarrd (3) Steve Pacheco (6) Beverly Penz (10) Mary-Alice Holmes (II) Lois Day (18) Tess Brasser (Numbers indicate ballot position) (5) Dan Cohen (7) Steve Pesante (8) Bill Snyder ■■ (7) Karin Keutzer war. n Jack Kapascinsky, Director, Survival Center Primary April 13 & 14 General Election April 20 & 21 STUDENTS FOR A PROGRESSIVE AGENDA Ad paid by: Students for a Progressive Agenda, Kirk Lambert, Treas., 2880 Mill St., Eugene, Oregon 97405
