Chapter 1 The meaning of marriage and family

Why we live in families

1. Continuity as a result of emotional attachments, rights, and obligation. 2. Close proximity 3. Intimate awareness 4. Economic benefits

Family

A group of two or more persons related by birth, marriage, or adoption, and residing together in a household

Marriage

A legally recognized union between two people. Generally a man and a woman, in which they are united sexually, cooperate economically, and may give birth to, adopt, or rear children. In western cultures, the only legal form is monogomy As simple as such a definition may make it seem, it differs among cultures and has changed considerably in our society.

Family of procreation

Common term for the family formed through marriage and childbearing

Ideological positions (Not absolute)

Conservatives:Pessimistic Liberals: Optimistic Centrists: Blend of both

Shared features of a marriage

Despite cultural and historical variation the following characteristic seem to be shared: Gender, sexuality, relationships with kin and in-laws, legitimacy of children Establishment of specific roles within the wider community Transferr of wealth and property Assignment of responsibility for caring for and socializing children or thier relatives

Family of cohabitation

Family formed through living or cohabiting with another person, whether they are married or unmarried

Conjugal relationships

Family relationships created through marriage

Clan

Group of related families

Families are dynamic

If one family member does an action-it affects the entire family

Traditional gender roles

Male: Instrumental Rationality Aggression Goal-orientation Competitiveness Female: Expressive Nurturance Peacemaking Emotional expression

Traditional Family

Middle class version of the nuclear family

Nuclear Family

Mother, father, and children

Families are diverse

Not all families react the same way

Household

One or more people-everyone living in a housing unit

Notes

Our attitudes and beliefs affect and distort views... Experience vs expertise Ongoing social controversy

Outside influences

Outside forces shape family experiences

4 functions of family

Provision of intimacy Formation of a cooperative economic unit Reproduction and socialization Assignment of social roles and status

Centrist perspective

Share aspects of both liberal and conservative positions

Liberal perspective

The changes in family patterns are just that- changes, not signs of familial decline

The family of orientation

The family in which we grew up

Social institution

The patterned regular ways in which a society has organized to meet its basic need

Monogomy

The practice of having only one spouse at a time

Serial Monogomy

The practice of having only one spouse at a time over and over again.

Polyandry

The practice of having two or more husbands Very rare

Polygamy

The practice of having two or more spouses at a time. The preferred marital arrangement worldwide.

Polygyny

The practice of having two or more wives.

Kinship system

The social organization of the family

Myths

Universal Nuclear family Self reliant traditional family

Consanguineous relationships

created through biological ties. (through birth)

Conservative Perspective

cultural values have shifted from individual self sacrifice toward personal self-fulfillment

Socialization

the shaping of individual behavior to conform to social or cultural norms

Affiliated Kin

unrelated individuals who feel and are treated as if they were relatives