soc problem ch.5
describe children at highest risk for victimization, the characteristics of the perpetrators of child abuse, and the physical, psychological, and social effects of child abuse.
Adults who were abused as children have an increased risk of a number of problems, including depression, smoking, alcohol and drug abuse. Sexual abuse of young girls and boys is associated with decreased self-esteem, depression. having witnessed or been a victim of abuse as a child, past violent or aggressive behavior, lack of employment and other stressful life events or circumstances, and drug and alcohol use. Alcohol use is involved in 50% to 75%
Describe global diversity in forms of marriage, the role of women in the family, and social norms relating to childbearing and same-sex relationships.
In some countries, homosexuality is punishable by imprisonment or even death. In a handful of countries, and in some U.S. states, same-sex couples are granted legal rights to marry. In less developed societies, where social expectations for women to have children are strong, women on average have four to five children in their lifetime, and begin having them at an early age, with more than a third of women getting married by age 18. Norms about childbirth out of wedlock also vary across the globe. In the United States, 4 in 10 births in 2009 were to unmarried women.
Describe the prevalence of divorce in the United States compared to other nations and explain the social causes of divorce and the consequences of divorce.
United States has the highest divorce rate among Western nations. Divorce is considered problematic because of the negative effects it has on children as well as the difficulties it causes for adults. Changing function of marriage. Increased economic autonomy of women. Increased work demands and economic stress. Inequality in marital division of labor. Liberalized divorce laws. Increased Individualism Weak social ties. Increased life expectancy. divorced individuals have more health problems and a higher risk of mortality. also experience lower levels of psychological well-being, including more unhappiness, depression, anxiety. women's income and a slight drop in men's income. close relationship with their father compared with children whose parents are together
Explain the structural-functionalist perspective of the family and how family problems can be influenced by social institutions and dysfunctional family programs.
views the family as a social institution that performs important functions for society, including producing and socializing new members, regulating sexual activity and procreation, and providing physical and emotional care for family members. traditional gender roles contribute to family functioning: Women perform the "expressive" role. men perform the "instrumental" role
Explain the conflict and feminist perspectives of how capitalism, social class, and power contribute to family problems.
Feminist theory is concerned with how gender inequalities influence and are influenced by marriages and families. Patriarchy implies that wives and children are the property of husbands and fathers.
Define intimate partner violence, describe its prevalence, patterns, and effects globally and in the United States, and explain why some abused adults stay in abusive relationships.
United States, women are more than four times more likely to be victims of IPV than are men. Johnson and Ferraro (2003) identified the following four patterns of partner violence: Common couple violence Intimate terrorism Violent resistance Mutual violent control Intimate partner abuse also takes the form of sexual aggression, which refers to sexual interaction that occurs against one's will three types of male abusers: The psychopathic abuser The hostile/controlling abuser The borderline/dependent abuser Multiple compelling reasons to stay: including economic dependency emotional attachment commitment to the relationship hope that things will get better the view that violence is legitimate because they "deserve" it guilt fear
Describe changing patterns in U.S. families and households that have occurred over the last several decades.
Increased singlehood and older age at first marriage. Increased heterosexual and same-sex cohabitation. The percentage of people who cohabited with their spouses before marriage more than doubled Some states, cities, counties, and employers allow unmarried partners (same-sex and/or heterosexual partners) to apply for a domestic partnership A new family form: Living apart together: jobs require them to live apart. Increased births to unmarried women: Increased divorce and blended families: Increased employment of mothers
Describe strategies to strengthen families, including marriage education, covenant marriage, divorce law reform, and workplace and economic supports for families.
Marriage education, also known as family life education. teach relationship skills, communication, and problem solving; (2) convey the idea that sustaining healthy marriages requires effort; (3) convey the importance of having realistic expectations of marriage, commitment, and a willingness to make personal sacrifices
Explain how the sociological definition of family compares to the U.S. Census definition.
The U.S. Census Bureau defines family as a group of two or more people related by blood, marriage, or adoption. Sociology offers a broader definition of family: A family is a kinship system of all relatives living together family, or recognized as a social unit, including adopted people.
