SYO3100 Notes for Exam 1 1 14 14 Family Patterns See chart on The Family ppt Nuclear family the norm the mode the most common 67 of families formed by mom dad children both parents work o A few generations ago the percentage was much higher Extended family parents children uncles aunts grandparents etc Blended family stepfamilies blended families are growing today Traditional families same as nuclear family except one parent is the breadwinner usually the man and one is the homemaker usually the woman Single parent family one adult who is responsible for the kids By Authority Descent Marriage o Matrilineal names descended from mother in very few societies o Bilenial names descended from both parents some ethnic groups have two last names o Patrilineal names descended from father majority Monogamy social norm married to one person Serial monogamy married same person multiple times Polygamy historically most common form of family Endogamy marrying within same group in terms of class race religion lifestyle Exogamy marrying outside of group i e same sex marriage contour universal commonality in all society Variations in Family Patterns Religion Culture and time Class Race Ethnicity Age back to Religion Family orientation family in which you were born Family problems o Social conditions deemed seriously problematic affecting large number of families in need of immediate attention and solution o Myths about the American family It s natural to marry Fact the percentage of single people varies across spaces and over time almost 1 3 of Americans have never married 1 3 of births involve non married women who may or may not live with a partner Fact records of home sexuality exist since ancient times It s natural to create a family of their own 1 16 14 Facts 1 3 women age 40 44 are childless families without children Facts abortion health problems incest rape etc Nature vs nurture debate Nature culture dictates Marriage Parenthood Are nature based processes normal Is normal culturally accepted Is culture nature Yes from a sociological point of view We cannot exist outside of society Families were better off in the good ole days Facts The good ole days never existed Social change and family change are reciprocally related The historical record shows the following factors affecting Technological development Industrialization family change Urbanization Wars Immigration Laws and government policies The family is a self sufficient unit Today we all get a lot of subsidy from the government 2 5 kids in the US live in poor families Families with dual earners don t have significant disposable income Family is a small sized group as size increases possibilities of goal accomplishment increases pay close attention to policies in chapter 14 Pre 1500 1776 Colonial Years 1st American families Native American o Native American family definition group of people who reside together and care for each other s survival through reciprocal defense and economic cooperation See BB for additional notes on different type of American families Theoretical Perspectives and the questions they pose 1 21 14 Structural functionalism Family is an institution family s members function to maintain the family and ensue a society s continuity What are the structures Blended Single parent etc How do they contribute to social stability Conflict theory unit in society that produces inequality Some families have resources some families don t family is a world of inequality family must compete for limited resources o Asks o o o Asks o Asks o Asks stages o Asks o Asks Which families benefit Which families suffer when resources are scarce How do families protect their privileges through voting living in safer gated neighborhoods Feminism subgroup of conflict theory gender makes a difference in the way families raise their kids o Members learn socially constructed expectations based on gender roles social class race age sexual orientation and marital status How does family life reflect economic and patriarchal arrangements Do men and women experience the family in different ways Symbolic interaction o A group whose interactions are governed by the symbolic communication of knowledge beliefs attitudes values and roles How are right and wrong defined How do family members perceive reality Family life course development o Group whose members accomplish specific developmental tasks in a series of What are the tasks a family must perform to survive What are the stages Family systems it goes through o System whose daily functioning and survival depends on the interactions of its members with each other and the larger society Do families have functional or dysfunctional relationships How can the relationships be improved Which institution is the backbone of society Why Include in your answer reference to what a social institution is and the functions it serves The family is the backbone of society because it meets the standard needs of society The family essentially governs the behaviors of individuals in a community which is what a social institution is Distinguish between a family the family and The family a social institution a cultural universal a primary group and in charge of bearing and raising children and caring for dependent members A family more generic it is 2 or more people who are related by blood adoption and or marriage a family typically lives in a common residence and cared for each other Is the perception of what a family is held by the public the same as the official definition of the family Census US Courts and legislation No The official definition of family adheres to the needs of dependents and fulfills a public good service or expense The private family offers affective and emotional support in varying intimate and lasting relationships among members Both types of families face different issues as well the private family s concerns are boundary ambiguities while the public family s concern is if everyone can contribute or if there are many free riders Is there a typical American family Yes or no Why No there is not a typical American family because there are various forms of American families see American Families and American History document on BB