Chapter 2 The Family

homogamy

marriage between two people of the same sex

matriarchal

a family system in which power in wielded by women in the family

patriarchal

a family system in which power is wielded by men in the family

patrilineal

a family system in which wealth and power are transmitted from fathers to their sons

matrilineal

a family system in which wealth and power are transmitted from mothers to their daughters

coverture

a legal doctrine that lasted until the late nineteenth century, under which wives were incorporated into their husbands' citizenship

patrilocal

a living arrangement in which a young married couple lives in or near the husband's family home

matrilocal

a living arrangement in which a young married couple lives in or near the wife's family home

polygamy

a marriage in which one person has several spouses- the most prevalent form of marriage in human history

nuclear family

a married, monogamous couple living with their own (usually biological) children and no extended family members

conjugal family

a nuclear family that is also functionally independent of extended family members

companionship family

an ideal type of family characterized by the mutual affection, equality and comradeship of its members

heterogamy

marriage between a man and a woman

patriarchy

the system of men's control over property and fathers' authority over all family members

four historical trends

1. most people today live much longer than people did in the past 2. people today have fewer children than people did in the past 3. family members perform fewer functional tasks at home 4. families have become more diverse in recent decades

extended families

family households in which relatives beyond parents and children live together

stem family

the household formed by one grown child remaining in the family home with his or her parents

monogamy

the marriage of one person to one other person

courtship

the mate selection process in which couples begin in a relationship with supervised contact in public, then proceed to additional dates in the woman's home, and then, if the parents approve, to marriage

dating

the mate selection process in which young adults spend time with a variety of partners before making a long-term commitment

baby boom

the period of high birth rates in the United States between 1946 and 1964