Social Studies Chapter 5: Sociology of the Family

What is meant by the family

• A group of individuals related in some way.

• Usually live together

• Responsible for rearing children

• Act as economic unit

The extended family

• One or more parents and their children

• As well as other relatives

• Family members living together or close by

• Two or more generations

• Parents, son and his wife

• Independent social and economic unit

• The basic social unit in tradition and pre-industrial societies

• Heavily influenced by religion

• Referred to as the ‘stem’ family

The nuclear family

• most common in industrialised societies

• two adults living together with their children

• seperate unit from wider family

• independent decision-making unit

• may accept help from others and government welfare agencies

• includes one-parent families

The reconstructed or step-family

• also known as the blended family

• two people with children from previous relationships.

• married or living together

• each bring new children to live together

Polygny

One man and more than one woman

Polyandry

One woman and more than man

Monogamy

One man and one woman

Exogamy

Permits individuals to marry outside of the group they belong to

Endogamy

Prohibits marriage outside of the individuals social group

Functionalist Persepctive on Family

Socialisation - teaches the child values and norms. helps child develop a personality

Regulation of sexual activity - forbidding sexual activity between family members. forces people to marry outside the family