The Family- Exam #1

v What Are Families?

-The U.S. Census Bureau defines a family as two or more people living together who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption. -We use a broader and more inclusive definition than that taken from the Census Bureau. Families are defined here as relationships by blood, marriage, or affection, in which members may cooperate economically, may care for any children, and may consider their identity to be intimately connected to the larger group. - fictive kin, who are nonrelatives whose bonds are strong and intimate -However, in many parts of the world, only one side is recognized as kin: either those on the father's side (patrilineal) or those on the mother's side (matrilineal).

v Theory Helps Us Make Sense of the World o Social Exchange Theory o Developmental Theory o Family Systems Theory

Theory- which is a general framework, explanation, or tool used to understand and describe the real world. Social Exchange Theory- assumes that individuals are rational beings, and their behavior reflects decisions evaluated on the basis of costs and benefits Developmental Theory- families (and individual family members) go through distinct stages over time, with each stage having its own set of tasks, roles, and responsibilities. The developmental changes within development theory include (1) married couple; (2) childbearing; (3) preschool age; (4) school age; (5) teenage; (6) launching center; (7) middle-aged parents; and (8) aging family members Family Systems Theory- a family system—the family members and the roles they play—is larger than the sum of its individual members -rules of transformation so that families function smoothly and members know what to expect from each other

v Table 01-01 Six Research Methods: A Summary

look at table in book