The Family
Describe the norms that influence the ways in
which marriage patterns are organized around
the world.
 Identify the basic societal needs that the
institution of the family satisfies.
 Explain how American families begin & describe
some of the disruptions they might face.
 Analyze some of the trends in American family
life currently being examined by sociologists.
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a group of people who
are related by
marriage, blood or
adoption & who often
live together and
share economic
resources

consists of 1 or more
parents & their children
 Family of Orientation:
nuclear family into which
one is born or adopted
 Family of Procreation:
nuclear family consisting
of an individual, his or her
spouse & their children

consists of 2 or more generations
▪ grandparents, parents, children, uncles, aunts & cousins may
all live together

a network of
people who are
related by
marriage, birth,
or adoption
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Monogamy: marriage of 2 partners only
Polygamy: marriage with multiple partners
Patrilineal Descent: kinship traced
through father’s family
 Matrilineal Descent: kinship traced
through mother’s family
 Bilateral Descent: kinship traced
through both parents

▪ important in matters of property ownership &
inheritance.
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Patrilocality: newly married couple expected
to live with or near husband’s parents
Matrilocality: newly married couple expected
to live with or near wife’s parents
Bilocality: newly married couple allowed to
choose
Neolocality: newly married couple free to
choose their own locality
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Patriarchy: system in
which men are
dominant over women
Matriarchy: system in
which women are
dominant over men
Egalitarian: a family in
which the man &
woman share power

regulation of sexual
activity
 Incest: taboo

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reproduction
socialization
economic & emotional
security

marriage between
individuals who have
similar social
characteristics

marriage between individuals who have
different social characteristics
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delayed marriage
childlessness
dual-earner marriages
delayed childbearing
remarriage
1-parent families
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Pg 304: #2-3
Pg 317: #2-3
Pg 318: #1-10 Identifying People & Ideas
Pg 318: #1-5 Understanding Main Ideas
Pg 319: #1-4 Building Social Studies Skills
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Please turn in your books to Pg 298.
Read the following study on changing family
life & answer the “Think About It” questions
in your journals.