Chapter 1: Sociology of the Family

The Breadwinner-Homemaker Model

- The dominant family structure in American family life in the 1950s. - Talcott Parsons [and other structural functionalists] interpreted this as the essential way the family should be. - The role of husband as breadwinner and wife as homemaker were complementary and in "harmony." - Maintaining the balance of these roles was crucial to safeguarding the institution of the family. - The family in this configuration provided society with stability, harmony, and cooperation. - The men and women performed complementary roles that were separate, but equally necessary. - Structural functionalism used the nuclear breadwinner-homemaker family as both a model and an ideal.

Classical Theories

1. Functionalism 2. Conflict 3. Exchange 4. Symbolic Interactionism

Legal Family

A group of individuals related by birth, marriage, or adoption. Examples: - The personal family is based on a personal understanding of the concept of being related. - Allows for the inclusion of stepchildren, stepparents, informal and formal adoptions, etc. How individuals define their own families The family forms the basis for formal and informal social obligations.

Bourgeoisie

A group people (a small group) rich, high class and is in control, also has ownership, ceos, politicians.

Institutional Arena

A social space in which relations between people in common positions are governed by accepted rules of interaction. Examples: - not a physical space with physical boundaries, but rather, a social place where interactions occur - Rules may be different from one place to another and may be informal; rules in this arena evolve over time; people occupy certain positions/roles.

Contemporary Theory: Postmodern Theory

Current society is extremely diverse, and cannot be restricted to a single "appropriate" life course; ever-changing norms and standards lead to individual interpretations and personal choices. Examples: - Many different family forms. - Gender roles, expectations, divisions of labor vary for each individual family. - There is NO standard. - Breadwinner-Homemaker Model is accepted as one of MANY appropriate/ 'natural' options for family life.

Proletariat

Doing the work that makes the money for the bourgeoisie and can be oppressed (the majority)/ working class, lower class, middle class.

Classical Theory: Functionalism

Each part of the system serves a specific function; society functions like a living organism; focus on stability, cooperation. Examples to how it applies to the family: - Each member performs its specific function within the family. - Man performs 'instrumental roles' (work, finance); woman performs 'expressive roles' (nurturing, maintaining home). Breadwinner-Homemaker Model (ideal); seen as "natural".

Contemporary Theories

Feminism Modern/Postmodern

Contemporary Theory: Feminist Theory

Focus on gender and how it defines social roles and cultural characteristics; gender roles have no biological basis and are a social construct. Examples: - Traditional family arrangements are not fair to women; prescribed social roles are restrictive and oppressive. - Critical of Breadwinner-Homemaker Model as oppressive to women

Classical Theory: Conflict Theory (including Marxism)

Focus on inequality, power, social change; elite oppress those without power; small upper class dominates and exploits large working class. Examples: - Men use power and resources to dominate women. - Capitalism exploits poor families. - Extremely critical of Breadwinner-Homemaker Model.

Census Definition of Family

Household: A group of people that live and eat together from other separately from other groups. - What is a Census Family? - The Census Bureau uses the legal definition of family, but also includes the stipulation that the family must live within one household only. - This is different than the personal or legal definition of the family - One person can actually be the member of many families, according to all the definitions. - The census definition is very specific, and each person can only be counted in one place.

Classical Theory: Symbolic Interactionism

Humans do not relate to actions, but rather to shared interpretation of those actions; shared understanding of symbolic meanings of certain behaviors. Examples: - Social roles act as shared understanding of "appropriate behaviors"; people have pre conditioned ideas about what roles men, women, and children should have in a family. - Understands the Breadwinner-Homemaker Model, but does not see it as "natural".

Classical Theory: Exchange Theory

Social relations based upon rational choices; behaviors based on weighing potential benefits vs. potential risks; behaviors are based on feedback we receive from others in society. Examples: - Women exchange homemaker/childcare responsibilities for financial security from men; men are able to work outside the home because women cover domestic life. - Breadwinner-Homemaker Model seen as a rational choice; a possible exchange.

Institutional Arena: Market

The institutional arena where labor for pay, economic exchange, and wealth accumulation take place. Examples: The market provides these services (e.g., day care, private schools, latchkey services) - Parents must make decisions about who will take care of their children when they are at work and how much they will spend to procure this service.

Institutional Arenas: Family

The institutional arena where people practice intimacy, childbearing, socialization, and caring work.

Institutional Arenas: State

The institutional arena where, through political means, behavior is legally regulated, violence is controlled, and resources are redistributed. Examples: - Marriage License

Personal Family

The people to whom we feel related and who we expect to define us as members of their family as well.