Obama's Victory: A Triumph Over Social Stereotypes
Like the rest of the world, I am full of hope for Barack Obama and thrilled to think that there will soon be two little black girls skipping round the White House, chasing their puppy. For people of colour, the significance of Obama's victory cannot be overstated. With Obama as president, every black and mixed race person stands that little bit taller. There's a chance, too, that we might see a reversal of the hawkish neo-con agenda that has driven global politics since George Bush got his hands on the reins of power. How good that feels.
A Progressive Social Victory
But Obama's election also represents a quieter victory of a progressive social kind that transcends colour or creed; a victory against the tyranny of the nuclear family. If you listen to idealogues of the right such as David Cameron, Barack Obama should never have been successful - in fact, he should have been a mess. "I think it's time we recognised that family breakdown is the central factor in the social breakdown we see in our country today," Cameron has said. "Broken Britain", one of his pet concepts, shorthand for high crime rates, drug abuse, gang warfare and spiralling teenage pregnancies, can be attributed to the breakdown of marriage as an institution. Unless you come from a standard mummy, daddy and two kids family straight out of an Enid Blyton story, the inference is that you are irreparably disadvantaged, born to fail, doomed to be a knife-toting hoodie thief and ne'er-do-well at the age of 15, a junkie by your twenties and in jail. Or, in the US, on death row come your thirties.
Obama's Family History: Breaking Social Stereotypes
Dip into Obama's family history and you've got the sort of material that fills bulging social work case note files. A prevailing theme is the unreliability of the male line. Let's begin with his paternal grandfather, a cook for the British army in Kenya and servant who had four wives, eight children and who drunk himself into an early grave. It continues with the president-elect's dad, Obama senior. Leaving a son and pregnant wife in Kenya, he went to study in Hawaii, where he met Barack's 18-year-old white mother. Soon married and pregnant, the relationship broke down. Obama Sr then went back to Africa, where he had two more marriages and seven other children. By the time Barack was two, his father had gone, returning only once to visit him for a month when he was 10 years old. Never did a character better fit the Cameron model of an "errant father", the sort that the shadow PM wants to "feel the full force of shame".
Then we pick up the maternal line with his mother, an anthropologist who superficially fits the reactionary stereotype of the white girl from a respectable family who is an impressionable bleeding-heart liberal. Once her son's father is out the picture, she remarries exotically, this time to an Indonesian geologist, taking her son with her to Indonesia. Sent back to Hawaii at the age of 10 to attend American school, his stalwart maternal grandmother "Toot" enters the frame as his mother (later to divorce again) opts to remain in Indonesia. So now we have the cast of a depressing soap opera; a little boy, an absentee father, a distant mother and one coping grandmother left to be the rock of stability. This is a set-up that would have red warning lights flashing in Cameron's world.
Yet one of the brilliant things about Obama is that he shows how individuals can transcend all the negative stereotypes that are heaped upon them. From his story, we can see that a far from conventional upbringing outside the conservative nuclear family can produce exceptional people. We might infer that one inspirational granny can make up for any parental deficit. We can underscore how a middle-class background, with a respect for learning, can matter more than the conventionality - or otherwise - of any family's configuration. We can note how class and money influences children's life prospects much more than social convention. We can also begin to appreciate the benefits of those complicated, reconfigurated, unconventional families we increasingly see around us. President-elect Obama has six half-siblings and a doting step-grandmother in Kenya, and a half-sister who is the daughter of his Indonesian step-father. "Michelle will tell you that when we get together for Christmas or Thanksgiving, it's like a little mini-United Nations," he jokes. "I've got relatives who look like Bernie Mac (a US stand-up comedian) and I've got relatives who look like Margaret Thatcher."
One of the few redeeming features of globalisation is that communities the world over are less homogenous and much more permeable than they ever used to be. More of us are now part of a larger, non-traditional family that cuts across all the previous assumptions about colour and social convention. There is no turning the tide back. For years now, our divorce rate has been running at 40%. It only dipped recently because fewer people are getting married in the first place. David Cameron and the self-appointed moral majority might as well give up. They are flogging a dead horse.
Hotels and the Importance of Family-Friendly Accommodations
The Changing Face of Family
In today's society, the definition of family has evolved. Traditional nuclear families are no longer the only arrangement that we see. The complexities of modern life have given rise to different family configurations such as single-parent households, same-sex couples, cohabiting partners, and blended families. As families become increasingly diverse, there is a growing need for accommodations that cater to these various dynamics.
Catering to Families
Hotels, recognizing the changing face of family, are adapting to meet the needs of their guests. Family-friendly accommodations have become an important focus for hotels around the world. These establishments now offer a range of amenities and services that cater to families of all types, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay for everyone.
Facilities and Activities
Family-friendly hotels prioritize the provision of facilities and activities suitable for children and family bonding. Some common amenities include spacious family rooms or suites, children's play areas, swimming pools, and on-site restaurants with child-friendly menus. Many hotels also organize various activities and entertainment options specifically designed for families, such as movie nights, arts and crafts workshops, and outdoor sports.
Inclusive Policies
In addition to physical facilities, inclusive policies are also crucial for family-friendly hotels. These policies promote equality and celebrate diversity, ensuring that all guests feel welcome and respected regardless of their family structure. This includes recognizing and acknowledging the different needs of families, such as providing baby equipment, accommodating dietary restrictions, and offering flexible check-in and check-out options.
Making Memories
Family vacations are an opportunity to create lasting memories. By prioritizing family-friendly accommodations, hotels contribute to the overall travel experience, making it more enjoyable and stress-free for families. When families feel valued and their needs are met, they can focus on creating beautiful moments together, strengthening the bonds within their unique family units.
Embracing the New Normal
The embrace of family-friendly accommodations by hotels reflects a shift in societal attitudes towards family structures. As more families diverge from the traditional nuclear model, it is essential for society to acknowledge and support the diverse ways in which families are formed and nurtured. By doing so, we can foster inclusivity and create a more accepting and harmonious world for all.
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