Chapter 12
Family
Chapter Outline







Using the Sociological Imagination
Marriage and Family Defined
Cross-Cultural Analysis of Family and
Marriage
Theoretical Perspectives and the Family
Family and Marriage in the United States
Lifestyle Variations
Looking Forward
Marriage and Family
Defined
Marriage is a legal union based on
mutual rights and obligations.
 A family is a group of people related
by marriage, blood, or adoption.

Family of Orientation
Provides children with a name, an
identity, and a heritage.
 Gives the child an ascribed status in
the community.
 “Orients” children to their
neighborhood, community, and
society.

Family of Procreation
Established upon marriage.
 Marriage ceremony signifies that it is
legal for a couple give their children
a family name.
 The family of procreation becomes
the family of orientation for the
children created from that marriage.

Economy and Family
Structure
Economy and Family
Structure



The nature of family structure varies with
the type of economy.
Agricultural societies promote the
extended family because of the need for
labor.
The nuclear family is more compatible
with hunting and gathering societies and
modern societies.
Rise in Heterogamous
Marriages in the U.S.: Factors
America has become more racially
and ethnically integrated.
 Class lines are crossed more
frequently because more Americans
of all social classes are attending
college together.
 Norms separating age-groups have
weakened.

Types of Marriage
Monogamy- Marriage of one man to
only one woman at a time.
 Polygamy- Marriage to multiple
partners of the other sex.
 Polygyny - Marriage of a man to 2
or more women.
 Polyandry - Marriage of a woman
to 2 or more men.

Characteristics of Extended
and Nuclear Families
Characteristics
Extended Nuclear
family
family
Family structure
Extended
Basis of family bond Blood
Descent and
inheritance
Nuclear
Marriage
Patrilineal
Bilateral
Matrilineal
Characteristics of Extended
and Nuclear Families
Characteristics
Extended
family
Nuclear
family
Patriarchal
Locus of control
Democratic
Matriarchal
Patrilocal
Place of residence
Neolocal
Matrilocal
Monogamy
Marriage
Polygamy
Monogamy
structure
Group
Functionalist Theory of
Families

1.
2.
3.
Functions of the Family
Provide the initial learning
experiences that make people
human.
Fulfill basic social and emotional
needs.
Serve as the only legitimate source
of reproduction for a society.
Functionalist Theory of
Families

4.
5.
6.
Functions of the Family
Regulate sexual activity.
Place people in a social class at birth.
Serve an important economic function.
Marriage and Divorce Rates,
1940-2001
Theoretical Perspectives:
Perspectives on the Family
Functionalism
Topic
Sex norms
Example
Children are taught that sex
should be reserved for
married couples.
Theoretical Perspectives:
Perspectives on the Family
Conflict Theory
Topic
Male dominance
Example
Husbands use economic
power to control how money
is spent.
Theoretical Perspectives:
Perspectives on the Family
Symbolic Interactionism
Topic
Developing self-esteem
Example
A child abused by her
parents learns to dislike
herself.
U.S. Marriage Rates
Factors in the Divorce Rate:
Individual Level
1.
2.
3.
The earlier one marries, the greater the
likelihood of divorce.
The longer a couple has been married,
the lower the probability that their
marriage will end in divorce.
The more respect and flexibility between
partners, the lower the chance of
divorce.
Factors in the Divorce Rate:
Societal Level
1.
2.
3.
4.
Rates increase during economic
prosperity, decrease during economic
recession.
Baby boomers are more forgiving of
divorce than earlier generations.
Women are more economically
independent and less hesitant to
dissolve a bad marriage.
Stigma once associated with divorce is
much weaker today.
Median Age at First
Marriage
Major Socioeconomic
Factors Influencing Divorce
1.
2.
3.
Increasing prosperity
Religion
Patriarchal power structure.
•
The more patriarchal a
society,the lower its divorce rate.
Domestic Violence Against
Women in Selected Countries
Canada
% of Women
Assaulted by
Partner
29%
United States
28%
United Kingdom
25%
Switzerland
21%
Norway
18%
Country
Domestic Violence Against
Women in Selected Countries
Country
% of Women
Assaulted by
Partner
Korea
38%
Thailand
20%
India
19%
Egypt
34%
Israel
32%
Abuse Against Women
As many as 1/2 of married women
in the U.S. are victims of spousal
violence.
 At least 4 million women are
battered by their husbands annually.
 4,000 women each year are beaten
to death.

Abuse Against Women

14% of married women are sexually
attacked by their husbands every year.

3/4 of spousal violence occurs during
separation or after divorce.
Husband Abuse



Husbands and wives assault each other at
about the same rate.
Much of the violence on the part of
women involves self-protection or
retaliation.
Women are more likely to suffer greater
injury because the average man is bigger,
stronger, and more physically aggressive.
Factors Promoting Family
Resiliency
1.
Individual characteristics such as:
•
self-esteem
•
autonomy
•
sense of humor
•
problem-solving skills.
Factors Promoting Family
Resiliency
2.
Family characteristics such as:
•
emotional support
•
commitment
•
warmth
•
affection
•
cohesion.
Factors Promoting Family
Resiliency
3.
4.
Community characteristics such as:
•
opportunities for participation in
community life
•
emphasis on helping others
•
avenues for communication with
friends and adults
•
availability of youth activities.
Family-friendly public policy.
Reasons for Instability in
Blended Families
Financial difficulties
 Stepchildren’s antagonism
 Unclear roles

Percentage of Single-Parent
Families: 1970–2000
Single-parent Families
24% of children in single-parent
families live with their mother, 4%
are in a male-headed household.
 % of single parent families in 2000:
 63% of African American families
 36% of Latino families
 26% of white families

Parental and Maternity
Leave Policies
Country
Duration
(weeks)
% Pay
/Weeks
Canada
17–41
60%/15
Italy
22–48
80%/22
Sweden
12–52
90%/38
Austria
16–52
100%/20
Chile
18
100%/18
U.S.
12
0
Cohabitation



The number of American adults
cohabiting increased from 439,000 to
nearly 5 million between 1960 and 2000.
1/3 of American women age 15 to 44
report that they have cohabited at some
time in their lives.
For women age 25 to 29, the figure is
45%.
Adult Children Returning
Home



Young adults (18-34) have a much higher
probability of living in their parents’ home
than they did 30 years ago.
Adults aged 18 to 24 living at home
increased from 43% in 1960 to 57% in
2000.
26% of adults 18-34 years old now live
with their parents.
Families in the Labor Force:
1940–2000