Soc. 101 rw ch. 13.pdf
-
Upload
dolphinlove82 -
Category
Documents
-
view
1.672 -
download
0
Transcript of Soc. 101 rw ch. 13.pdf
Life at HomeChapter 13
OutlineWhat is a family?Diversity in familiesTheoretical perspectivesGender and Family LaborAging in the FamilyAbuse Divorce, Breakups and Blended Families
What is a family?Family-social group whose members are
bound by legal, biological or emotional ties, or some combination of the threeMeaning always changes with social, cultural,
political tide of societyIndustrial Revolution, Women’s Liberation,
divorce rates, gay families, single parents, etc…
Nuclear family-heterosexual couple with one or more children living in a single household
Extended family-large group of relatives (incl. at least 3 generations either in one household or in close proximity
Diversity in FamiliesEndogamy-marriage to someone in one’s social
groupMore common than exogamy
Exogamy-marriage to someone from a different social groupIncreasing, still rare: 5.7% of couples interracial
(2000)Monogamy-marrying only one individual at a timePolygamy-allows people to have more than one
spouse at a timePolygyny-allows men to have multiple wivesPolyandry-allows women to have multiple husbands
Theoretical PerspectivesStructural-functionalism-family is essential
institution that allows modern industrial economy to functionDurkheim-marriage and family decreased
men’s suicide ratesConflict Theory-nuclear family contributes to
oppressive social relationsCompetition over scarce resources (time,
energy, leisure)Gendered social institution (unequal power
between men and women)
Theoretical PerspectivesSymbolic
Interactionism-looks at how family relations are created and maintained in interactionFamily members
actively construct meaning of social bonds and roles
Gender and Family Labor
The Industrial Revolution created different and unequal roles for men and women-men working outside home for wages/women in home taking care of kidsSecond Shift-unpaid labor
inside the home; often expected of women after paid job
Hochschild-“supermom”-women who accept dual roles
Aging in the FamilyAmerican population
is aging-current average life expectancy is 78 years
Retirement-Social Security benefits only source of income for 54% of retired population10% of retired below
poverty line
Abuse in Families*People more likely to be killed, assaulted,
sexually victimized in own homes by family members than anywhere elseRelated to privacy of nuclear family (early
1900s)1 in 3 women will experience violence by
partner at some point in her lifeWomen 5-8 times more likely to be victimized
than menDomestic violence-any physical, verbal,
financial, sexual, or psychological behaviors abusers use to gain and maintain power over victims
Abuse in FamiliesCycle of Violence-common behavior pattern of
abusive relationships1. Begins happily 2. Relationship grows tense3. Violence occurs4. “honeymoon phase”-reason victims stay
Neglect-form of child abuse where caregiver fails to provide adequate nutrition, clothing or shelter
Elders also subject to abuse in form of neglect, abandonment, financial exploitation, etc… Elders and children both at risk because of relative
powerlessness
Divorce, Custody, Child Support2002-55% of U.S. population married/10%
divorcedRates of divorce have been steadily climbing
Most who divorce remarry, but rate lower than in 1960s
Increase in cohabitation-living together as a romantically involved, unmarried couple
Growing acceptance of divorce-less stigma
Divorce, Custody, Child SupportMothers still disproportionately get kids,Trend toward joint custody-physical and
legal responsibility of caring for childrenChildren are more likely to live in poverty
after divorceWomen often experience downward economic
mobility
TrendsBeing single-not just young; gays, long-
distance relationships, communes, widows, and due to choice
Cohabitation-1960-2000 number of cohabitating couples in U.S. increased 1000%Most 25-34 years old
Single parenting-only 10% of single parents fathers
Intentional community-any group who form a communal living arrangement outside marriageFor a common purpose