Sociology Lesson 14

Differentiate between patrilineal and matrilineal descent, and identify which method is more common.

Descent refers to the manner in which members of a society trace their kinship across generations. Patrilineal descent is the practice of tracing kinship through men. Characteristic of preindustrial societies' inheritance typically passed from father to sons Matrilineal descent is the same except for women- mother to daughter. Jewishness is a heritage that is passed down though matrilineal ties

Identify what combination of factors most commonly results in divorce.

Divorce is most common among young spouses with little money who were married after a brief courtship. Divorce is also more common when both partners have careers, as well as among people who have previously been married and divorced.

What is divorce? What factors increase the likelihood of divorce?

Divorce is the process of dissolving a marriage. Several factors contribute to this failure. often, romantic love (and even sexual attraction) diminishes after marriage. Some choose to pursue the excitement of a new relationship over a relationship in which the initial excitement of romantic love has diminished. Divorce is also more common because the stigma once attached to divorce has lessened. The cultural emphasis in the US on individualism also serves to undermine marriage by encouraging people to focus on their needs rather than the needs of their partner. The pressures, strains, and conflicts that accompany dual income marriages - both spouses work outside the home - have also contributed to the frequency of divorce. Working outside the home leaves less time and energy for family life. Working outside the home also reduces female dependence upon her male spouse for economic support, thereby reducing the need to remain in unsatisfying marriages. Divorce is currently most common among younger couples who married after a brief courtship and who experience economic hardship. It is also more common among dual career families and among people who have divorced previously.

kinship

a social network of people linked by marriage, adoption, or common ancestry

Compare and contrast families in preindustrial and industrial societies

Preindustrial families were characterized by extended family configurations that were patriarchal and practiced patrilineal descent. Patriarchal families are those in which authority resides in the eldest male (usually the father) who holds power over other family members. Patrilineal descent is the practice of tracing kinship and passing along inheritance through men. Families in industrial societies are more likely to be nuclear families that are more egalitarian (those in which both partners share authority and power equally) and practice bilateral descent (the practice of tracing kinship and passing along inheritance through both men and women). Nuclear families are smaller than extended families in that they contain only one or two parents and their dependent children.

family of orientation

on that you are born into

family of procreation

one that forms often with another adult by adopting of having children

Explain how dual income marriages could lead to divorce

the continuing trend toward dual income marriages when both spouses are employed contributes to stress within the marriage. Today over 50% of all marriages in the US are dual income. Working outside the home leaves less time and energy for family life and lessens women's dependency on husbands for a source of financial support. This economic independence makes it easier for women to terminate an unsatisfactory marriage.

descent

the manner in which members of a society trace their kinship across generations

polygyny

the marriage of one man to two or more women

polyandry

the marriage on one woman to two or more men

divorce

the practice of dissolving a marriage

patrilocality

the practice of living with or near the husband's parents

matrilocality

the practice of living with or near the wife's parents

homogamy

the practice of marrying people with whom one shares similar characteristics or interests, such as age, education, race or ethnicity and or social class

patrilineal descent

the practice of tracing kinship and passing along inheritance through men

exogamy

marriage outside the group

endogamy

marriage within the group or social category

In a matriarchal society, what patterns of residence, authority and kinship would exist?

A matriarchal society is a form of social organization in which women dominate men as a result of their control of key social institutions. In a matriarchal society, one would expect to find patterns of residence where the family lives near the wife's parents (matrilocality). Authority and power would be concentrated in the eldest female in the family, usually the mother. This is termed a matriarchal family. Finally, descent would likely be traced matrilineallly (tracing kinship through women. )

Identify recent trends leading away from the patriarchal family as the most common type of household.

A patriarchal family is a family in which authority resides in the eldest male (usually the father) who holds power over others in the family. As usual, less common is a matriarchal family, where authority resides in the eldest female (usually the mother) who holds power over other family members. As the prevalence of female-headed households continues to increase in the US, matriarchal families are becoming more common. There is also a growing trend towards egalitarian families, where both partners share power and authority equally. However even in egalitarian families there is often a division of labor based on gender.

In a patriarchal society, what patterns of residence, authority, and kinship would exist?

A patriarchy is a form of social organization in which men dominate women through control of key social institutions, such as the economy, politics and education. In patriarchal societies, one would expect to find patriarchal families in which authority resides in the eldest male (usually the father) who holds power over other family members. These families would practice patrilineal descent, which is the tracing of kinship and the passing along of inheritance through men. One might also expect to find patterns of residence where the family lives near the husband's parents (patrilocality)

According to the functionalist perspective, what functions does the family serve?

According to the functionalist perspective, the family performs four functions necessary for social stability and survival. 1. Socialization 2. Sexual Regulation 3. Social Placement - the confer upon children statuses (positions) in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, social class and gender 4. Emotional Support, Economic Support and Care to their members

Explain the difference between endogamy, exogamy and homogamy.

Cultural norms identify acceptable and unacceptable potential marriage partners. Endogamy is the practice of marriage within a group or social category. Endogamy directs the selection of marriage partners to the particular social groups, such as religion, social class, or race and ethnicity, of which one is a member. Sometimes, endogamy is codified into law. During the Jim Crow era, many southern states had legal statutes prohibiting the marriage of a white person to a black person. In contrast, exogamy is the practice of marriage outside the group. Most commonly exogamy directs people, through cultural expectations ( as well as legal codes in some cases) to look outside their immediate kinship group. Most people in the US practice homogamy. This is the practice of marrying someone who shares similar characteristics and interests, such as age, social class, education, race and ethnicity, and or religious and political views. For example, in the US people of great wealth do not usually marry someone who is very poor.

What is the difference between endogamy and exogamy? Give and example of each.

Exogamy is the practice of marriage outside of a group or social category. Most commonly, this means marrying someone outside one's immediate family of kinship network. Endogamy is the practice of marriage within a group or social category. Frequently, this means marrying someone of the same religion, social class, or racial or ethnic group.

In an egalitarian society, what patterns of residence, authority, and kinship might one find?

In an egalitarian society (where men and women are treated equally), bilateral descent and egalitarian families would be expected. Bilateral descent is the practice of tracing kinship though both men and women. Egalitarian families are those in which both partners share authority and power equally.

How does the conflict perspective assess the roles of the family in society?

The conflict perspective on the family views the family as a social institution fundamental to the perpetuation of social inequality. Patriarchy and patrilineal descent are seen as contributing to the subordination of women, limiting their authority and access to economic resources. Endogamy directs people to marry within their social class and race or ethnic group. Endogamy directs people to marry within their social class and race or ethnic group. Endogamy is thus seen as serving to perpetuate the racial and ethnic hierarchy, as well as to perpetuate the class hierarchy. The class hierarchy is also maintained by the practice of handing down wealth and property within the family.

Explain the differences between a family of orientations and a family of procreation

The family of orientations is the family into which one is born or adopted and socialized. The family of procreation is a family that on forms, often with another adult, by having or adopted children. One may not choose one's family of orientation, but can usually choose their family of procreation.

Explain how the institution of family constructs a reality for its members according to the symbolic-interactionist perspective.

This micro-level view focuses on family dynamics and relationships. In recent times, this view has focused on the relationship between children and parents, including step-parents. Because families are negotiated relationships, members develop a shared reality though communication with each other. This reality consists of a set of subjective meanings regarding the family and family life. For example newlyweds bring separate identities to the new marriage. Over a period of time they (hopefully) construct a shared understanding of that the responsibilities, obligations, and rights of each party are. The negotiation of this understanding might include housework duties, the desirability and timing of childbirth, and finances among others.

family

a cooperative arrangement in which people live together with commitment, form an economic unit, and care for any newborns and children

patriarchal family

a family in which authority resides int he eldest male who holds power over other family members

egalitarian family

a family in which both partners share power and authority equally

nuclear family

a family made of one or two parents and their dependent children

marriage

a legally recognized and or socially approved relationship that involves two or more people, carries with it certain rights and obligations, and usually involves sexual activity

polygamy

a marriage that unites three or more people

monogamy

a marriage uniting tow people in a sexually exclusive relationship

extended family

family units that include parents, children, and other kin, such as grandparents, aunts and uncles

matriarchal family

family where authority is in the eldest female

bilateral descent

the tracing of kinship and passing along of inheritance through both men and women

matrilineal descent

tracing kinship and passing along inheritance through women