TA Issue analysis

Topic: Bilingual marriages

Potential WATCOs

WATCO bilingual marriage on social involvement in democracy?
(Exploring the idea that "diversity" and "social involvement" are often opposing forces in sociology. Still not entirely comfortable with the idea and arguments, so moving on.)

WATCO bilingual upbringing on education of children in bilingual families?

Claim: Bringing up children bilingual will be worth your efforts.

Arguments Pro (BF = Bilingual Fluency):
BF is an asset in workforce.
BF connects children to both sides of the family,
BF preserves their heritage and culture.
Effort will improve communications between spouses: studying and teaching non-native language will make parents more fluent as well.

Arguments Con:
Requires constant effort on part of parents.
May require special schooling.
May require money to pay for resources.
May require moving between countries on a regular basis.
Knowing only the dominant language wil often be enough.
Knowing two languages (in US at least) may separate child from other children.
Bringing up a child bilingual from birth can have undesirable consequences (inability to distinguish between languages initially; only those who know both can then communicate with the child. Have seen one or two instances of this.)


WATCO spouses speaking different native languages on marital success and satisfaction?

Pro:
More effort put into communication may force better communication and patience between the two.
Know some good examples of couples where have worked successfully, despite a still present language barrier even after forty years.

Con:
Friction due to cultural misunderstandings can lead to problems, divorce.