CHAPTER 1 FAMILY COMMITMENTS Defining the term family A family is any sexually expressive parent child or other kin relationship in which people usually related by ancestry marriage or adoption form an economic unit 1 2 care for the young 3 consider their identity to be carefully attached to the group 4 commit to maintaining that group over time 5 share close emotional ties How does the Law and Science define family People related by blood marriage or adoption How does the U S Census Bureau define family Two or more persons who share a household and are related by blood marriage or adoption Primary group any group in which there is a close face to face relationship example a close friendship Secondary group characterized by more distant practical and unemotional relationships example business association nuclear family husband wife and children in an independent household today only 7 of families fit this model extended family aunts uncles adult sibling stepsiblings grandparents household broader than the concept of family as it includes nonfamilial living arrangements Most common household type today is married couples without children Families are changing the divorce rate is almost 50 the total fertility rate dropped from 3 6 children woman in 1957 to 1 7 children woman in 1976 The outcome of more non married people living together 1 higher rate of break up 2 higher rate of cheating on each other 3 women are more likely to be depressed Children with parents in troubled relationships 1 more at risk for social behavioral and school problems 2 child abuse rates increase 3 not all children of single parents will have problems Making Choices structural constraints economic and social forces that limit personal choices our personal decision and attitudes are products of our environment choosing by default choice made when not aware of other alternatives is the path of least resistance choosing the easiest thing to do someone else choosing for you choosing knowledgably recognizing as many options or alternatives as possible understanding societal social pressures considering consequences and re checking decisions are not neutral they affect other people Family Status Self concept an individual s idea about his or her worth and about what sort of person he or she is Individualistic self fulfillment values encourage people to think in terms of personal happiness and goals and the development of distinct individual identity Familistic Communal Values the virtual sacrifice of the individual family member s needs or goals for the sake of the extended family There are THREE perspectives on FAMILY STATUS 1 Family in Decline perspective includes these things high divorce rates children born out of wedlock latchkey children children at home part of the day without supervision decline in marriage rate rise in single parents decline in parental authority this perspective is characterized by a self indulgent baby boom generation wanting to make themselves happy 2 Family in Transition perspective includes these things families are better than they were in the past because there are less in poverty less child labor there was a higher rate of non marital pregnancies in the 1950 s than there are today women have more choices this perspective argues that there have always been single parents and divorce and that families have changed to meet changing environmental conditions 3 Family is stronger than ever perspective believes families are happier than they were in the past because increase in multigenerational relationships more equitable roles more tolerance of diversity in the family the pace of family life has changed not the time with the parents people still want to marry and have children ask lauren about the facts about families sections in the text book CHAPTER 2 AMERICAN FAMILIES IN SOCIAL CONTEXT Age Structure There are THREE changes in age structure and the social context of age 1 Longevity people are living longer because of new medical technology and health care reform marriage has the potential to span over a longer period of time and must adapt to changes in the relationship and partners financial burdens because people are outliving retirement funds 2 Approach to aging has changed pressure to maintain youth and physical appearance difficulty 3 Changing Demography much larger percentage of senior citizens because of baby boomer Implications aging generation Implications increasing age Next generation will have difficulty taking care of parents because of their own May have to care for parents and grandparents Delay in having children could have to care for 3 generations at once Race and Ethnicity Race implies a biologically distinct group differences are primarily socially constructed because in reality there is not much difference in biological make up Ethnicity no biological connotations but refers to cultural distinctions based on language religion foodways and history Racism irrational hate or fear of people of other races involving discrimination and violent acts White privilege At a basic level has to do with all of the advantages that a majority culture has that go unnoticed to them Also perception that the majority culture s way of doing things is the normal way everything else is different The Economy and Social Class Life chances the opportunities one has for education and work Whether one can afford to marry schools that children attend and a family s health care all depend on a family s economic resources Globalization the outsourcing of many American jobs to other countries Household having the highest incomes in descending order 1 married couple households 2 male headed households 3 female headed households POVERTY RATES and INCOME show the same pattern in having long term improvement but increased disadvantage in the short term What are some affects on family interaction and involvement in society income 1 2 social class 3 race 4 ethnicity White Collar Family Views Less emphasis on traditional gender roles Companionship and communication Blue Collar Family Views Traditional gender role distribution of household responsibilities Marriage focused on household and parenting Facilitate creativity curiosity and independence in children More access to technology and recreational activities could result in overscheduled life Parenting is more authoritarian Kids have more contact with extended family on a regular basis CHAPTER 3 OUR GENDERED IDENTITIES Differentiate between
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