Family 2-4 definitions

Patriarchy

The system of men's control over property and father's authority over all family members.

Matriarchy

Rule by women; the opposite of patriarchy.

Matrilineal descent

A family system in which family lineage is transmitted from mothers to their children.

Patrilineal descent

Family lineage is transmitted from fathers to their children.

Courtship

The mate selection process in which couples begin a relationship with supervised contact in public, then proceed to additional dates in the woman’s home and then to marriage if the parents approve.

One-drop rule

The notion that one drop of African blood makes a person black.

Race

A group of people believed to share common descent, based on perceived innate physical similarities.

Ethnicity

A group of people with a common cultural identification, based on a combination of language, religion, ancestral origin, or traditional practices.

Racial ethnicity

An ethnic group perceived to share physical characteristics.

Endogamy

Marriage and reproduction within a distinct group.

Exogamy

Marriage and reproduction outside of one’s distinct group.

Minority group

A racial or ethnic group that occupies a subordinate status in society.

Acculturation

An acquisition of a new culture and language.

Consonant

When parents and children together gradually transition away from their home culture and language.

Dissonant

When children develop English ability more quickly than their parents.

Assimilation

The gradual reduction of ethnic distinction between immigrants and the mainstream society.

Division of labor

The social process of determining who does what work and for what rewards.

Consensus theorists

Assume that inequality serves as an essential function in society.

Conflict perspective

Takes the division of labor as the crucial element in defining the class system.

Exploitation (economic)

The process by which the labor of some produces wealth controlled by others.

Life chances

The practical opportunity to achieve desired material conditions and personal experiences.

Social capital

The access to resources one has by virtue of relationships and connections within a social network.

Progressive taxation

Federal government uses income categories to set tax rates, so that rich families usually pay higher tax rates than poor families.

Poverty line

The level of income below which the federal government defines a family or individuals as poor.

Social mobility

The movement, up or down, between social classes.