Question:
Is the male program to be a provider also a dysfunctional program?
The Seer:
A very good example of how a couple in charge of the welfare of a family can have integrated responsibility, can be found in observing the family life of the Aboriginals of Australia. They have managed to survive global catastrophes and attacks on their way of life for more than 40,000 years.
Such success depended on:
- Complete fluidity — they hunted when they had to live inland, they fished when lands flooded, and they moved when life in the habitat became unsustainable.
- The cohesive strength of the family unit — due in part on every family member knowing their responsibility and contributing to the family. Children gathered bird's eggs, wove baskets, gathered material for making fires, and helped tan animal hides. Men hunted what they could and made tools, hunting implements, and canoes if needed. Women fished and gathered products the tide brought in. They cleaned fish, plucked fowl, and cleaned small game that had been hunted; they prepared food and older boys made the fire.
The example set by a people that have survived for millennia, tells us that it's important that responsibilities are shared and that everyone does what they can.
Dhani says
Yes, sometimes the baby of the family stays the baby too long and doesn't pull their weight until a crisis is reached.
Robin says
Thank you!
Vanessa Power says
Agreed!