Theoretical Perspectives 1 Structural Functionalism Family is a necessary institution for the survival of the larger society Assumes that society is structured to maintain its stability and cooperation Portrays society as a massive organism with various social institutions working together to keep it alive maintain order and allow individuals to live together relatively harmoniously Says that family serves as an individual s primary source of emotional and practical training in society Supports the status quo by arguing that gendered division of labor allows each member to concentrate on what they do best breadwinner home marker model Structural Functions Performed by Families 1 Traditional family gives means with which a man and a women can replenish the population 2 Control and Regulation of Reproduction up to not encourage reproduction outside the home Most societies are set 3 Socialization Much of this takes place in schools now Process by which individuals learn the values attitudes and behaviors appropriate for them in a given society Provides members with a sense of self identity beliefs attitudes and expectations of what it means to be male female 4 Emotional Support Where one can find safety and protection to escape the stresses of public life provide intimacy warmth trust etc 2 Conflict Perspective Examine society in terms of conflict and struggle provides a pessimistic realistic view of family Examine society in terms of conflict and struggle provides a pessimistic realistic view of family Focuses on how social structure promotes divisions and inequalities within and between groups Social order arises from dominance and coercion Social institutions foster and legitimize the power privilege of some individuals groups at the expense of others Ex s Social class and power influences families A family of a low SES can struggle to advocate on their own behalf How do economic trends falling wages corporate downsizing globalization creates conflict in families How can I go to work to provide for my family but be present enough for my kids Struggles within families such as time support affection etc can be problematic and not easily solved 3 Feminist Theory Assumes men women experience family differently and want different things from their family experiences gender is central Explains women s subordination in families by arguing that men s dominance is part of a wider system of male domination Historically women were forced into domestic slavery while their husbands built power in the marketplace Now women often have to do a second shift of unpaid labor after work Women also entered into formal contracts seen as property by their husbands That cultural ideology contributed to wife battering and still exists today Argues that the way gender is expressed and experienced in families is linked to its definition and expression in the larger society women are more likely to sacrifice work commitments for their children 4 Social Exchange Theory Uses the principles of economics rewards costs to explain family experiences Pays special attention to the way individuals make decisions choices why we make some decisions and not others Assumes people are motivated by a desire to maximize rewards and minimize costs rewards costs are subjective Ex In relationships men often trade outside labor in exchange for domestic work and childcare done by the woman Rewards come from past experiences if our relationship exceeds all others we re happy if it doesn t exceed them we re not If people think a better alternative is available they will leave If there are no options they will stay even if unhappy Assumes people act rationally when it comes to intimate relationships and family experiences 5 Symbolic Interactionism Attempts to understand society social structure by looking at personal day to day interactions of individuals pairs or groups Presents family as a reality that we must negotiate rather than it being a self evident thing Ex One members definition of family is different than the definitions of another member and depends on day to day experiences Assumes that the symbols language gestures and postures are influenced by the larger society to which we belong as meaning become less negative behaviors are more common Family is presented through how members live treat define eachother and resemble one another where they live finances traditions etc Ex When someone in a family or a family gets labeled they must now act according to that label or risk being stigmatized 6 Sociobiology Assumes that some features of family life are the results of a long evolutionary process Evolutionary Psychology Says we are endowed by nature to ensure that our genes are passed on to future generations most important Here biology interacts with culture to create certain family forms all behavior is somehow influenced by biology The dominant family form that exists today is because it is the most effective at ensuring that survival How Is Family Defined Meeting the Official Definition People defined as family are eligible to receive benefits such as housing tax credits inheritances health care coverage travel insurance legitimate community recognition If you fall outside the legal definition your family could be considered illegitimate inappropriate or immoral Households Vs Families Official Household All persons who occupy a dwelling intended to be living quarters not always a family Family A group of two or more people related by blood marriage or adoption residing together one person cannot be a family Nuclear Family Small unit consisting of a married couple with or without children or one parent and his or her children These official definitions exclude extended families grown children who own their own homes and close family friends Families last for a longer period of time than other relationships family is forever The official definition includes family sharing a residence but everyone you live with is not family according to you Family Decline Perspective Regards recent changes in family life as a sign that the importance of family as a social institution is eroding Alarmed by the movement away from traditional families to other non conventional families claiming to be families Individuals today are too autonomous and not committed to marriage family norms and values Recent changes away from marital commitment to single parenthood starting in the 1960 s are serious Support 1 The Fall of Marriage older is