HOW FAMILY’S ARE

INFLUENCED

By Gender, Sex, Communication, Society

DEFINITIONS

Family: In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-

residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children.

Gender: The behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one

sex

COMMUNICATION IN &

ABOUT FAMILY

Communication that occurs in family settings influences a person’s

understandings of gender and family

How family’s communicate norms?

• Identity Ingredients

• Gender/sex

• Sexual orientation

IDEAL NUCLEAR FAMILY

Organized by Gender

• Female mother

• Male father

• Children (sister/brother)

• Grandparents

• Aunts/ Uncles

Family is usually the first source of information about gender and one

of the most influential

• Most people organize family’s in their mind by the typical mom, dad, and children and with that most people take this and pass these gender roles onto their children

FAMILY AS A SOCIAL

INSTITUTION

Each person is a part of a family, and family, in turn, becomes a central part of a person’s identity.

Our society has labeled family “the nuclear family”, giving an appearance of who (gender) and what (family) should

look like. This has only become popular because it can define and give gender roles.

In all reality each family is different in gender, size, and who plays what roles.

Mom, Son, Uncle Single Parent: Dad, Daughter, Son

Grandparents, Daughter, Grandchild

THE DIFFERENCE

What is a family?

• A family that exists functions together and does for one another

What is not?

• The notion of a nuclear family(mom, dad, children)

• That mom’s do housework and Dad’s go to work

Self-sufficient – Not True

• Rely on/ Influence

• Extended family

• Work

• Religion

• Schools

• Social Services

• Media

• Law

NUCLEAR FAMILY MYTHS

Mom is the home caregiver/ does not work

• Not true, most moms do both

Dad just works/ does not help at home

• Not true, most dads do help

Heterosexuality is the only style of

family – Not True

• The notion of a nuclear family leaves out:

• Homosexual

• Bisexual

• Transgendered *Family*

• Single parents

• Grandparents

• Aunts & Uncles

That only one legitimate way

of loving and one legitimate

form of family is possible

ASSUMPTIONS

That heterosexual romantic

love should be the basis of a

marriage is a core U.S value

FAMILY/ GENDER ROLES

Household chores and duties usually is the example and base of social

learning for young children in the home

• Most children learn gender/sex roles through observation and interaction, not by what they are told

Many families try to use choices that will steer their children in the gendered

and sexually oriented ways they would prefer

• Gender is not a natural thing that should occur

• If a certain sex show traits of the opposite sex, it could lower their social status (Ex: Male showing female traits, sensitivity)

MARRIAGE

Heteronormativity: The cultural assumption that everyone is

heterosexual and wants to be married

Regardless of race, class, or sexual orientation, people are socialized to

want marriage

This popular notion of a “white wedding” is feed by the U.S notion

that this is of the norm

Marriage has become a way for a legal bond and a way for women,

especially white women to raise their socioeconomic status

FAMILIES THAT TEACH

They provide a safe place where members feel loved, accepted, and are

able to grow to their fullest potential

Just as we teach racial tolerance, we need to teach gender tolerance

More flexible gender roles and teaching gender tolerance can help

families be more adaptable to cultural and individual needs

A family is one that accepts you for who you are no matter the style or

way you present your gender or take on your roles

Family is Love, Life, and Being Together