Families in Canada Notes

Anthropology

The study of human behaviors in societies and culture, including arts, beliefs, habits, and institutions.

Psychology

The study of behavior based on mental processes, focusing on individual thinking.

Sociology

Explains individual behavior in social groups, families, and society, including Macrosociology and Microsociology.

Nuclear Families

Composed of two parents and their biological or adopted children.

Extended Families

Composed of parents, children, aunts, uncles, grandparents and other blood relations

Blended Families

Composed of parents who have divorced their first spouses, or widowed and remarried, forming a new family that includes children from their previous marriage

Childless Families

Composed of two people in a legal relationship (marriage)

Lone Parent Families

Composed of a single parent and their children

Cohabitating Couples or Common-Law Marriages

Composed of couples living together in some form but not legally married 

Same-sex Families

Composed of a same-sex couple and their children

The Census Family

A Census Family is a group of two or more people who are related by blood, marriage, common-law, adoption, or a foster relationship, and who are living in the same dwelling.

George Murdoch 1949

A family is a social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction … includes adults of both sexes, at least two whom maintain a sexually approved sexual relationship, and one or more children, own or adopted of the sexually cohabited adults. 

Emily Nett 1980

Any group of people considered to be related to each other by blood or marriage 

Anne-Marie Amber

A family is a social group, an institution, and an intergenerational group of individuals related to each other by blood, adoption, or marriage/cohabitation. 

O.Nash

A family is where, when you go there, they have to take you in

Mesosystem

Emerging adults are socialized in unique ways by their families and peers. Therefore, individuals develop unique identities, worldviews, and life structures.

Exosystem

Development pace determined by socio-economic environment's educational requirements and job opportunities.

Macrosystem

The socio-cultural environment -- limits development within the society's beliefs.

Gender

Socially defined roles appropriate for men and women, encompassing traits, attitudes, and behaviors.

Sternberg’s Love Triangle

Passion, Intimacy, and Commitment in relationships, with Limerence as a blissful emotional state.

Arranged Marriages

Marriages arranged by families or others, not based on romantic love.

Social Homogamy Theory

Individuals are attracted to people of similar background (e.g. age, race, ethnic background, religion, socioeconomic statue, political views)

Ideal Mate Theory

Love is Blind. Attraction is based on an individual’s unconscious image of the “ideal mate” formed from his or her perceptions of certain characteristics.

Social Exchange Theory

Attraction based on assessing resources and seeking the best possible mate for mutual attraction.