Family Short Question Cards

Bean Pole Family

A family structure that has many generations but not many members within each generation.

Warm Bath Theory

A concept coined by sociologist Talcott Parsons, suggesting that the family provides emotional support and stress relief.

Toxic Childhood

A term used to describe a childhood negatively affected by factors such as junk food, technology, and lack of parental engagement.

Sociology of Personal Life

A perspective associated with Carol Smart that focuses on the meanings individuals attach to relationships.

Postman's view on Childhood

Argues that childhood is disappearing due to the blurring of boundaries between children and adults.

Children's Act

A government policy from the last 40 years that has impacted family structure.

Study of Housewives and Housework

Conducted by sociologist Anne Oakley.

Triple Shift

The combination of emotional support, paid work, and domestic labor often taken on by women.

Matrifocal Family

A family type where the mother is in charge.

New Right Perspective

A viewpoint that believes the traditional family structure is disintegrating, leading to the collapse of society.

Birth Trend Since 1900

A general decline in the number of births.

Divorce Reform Act

A legislation that contributed to the rise in divorce rates.

Social Norm

An unwritten rule of behavior that is accepted within a society.

Infant Mortality Rate

The number of infant deaths before their first birthday per thousand live births per year.

Arranged vs. Forced Marriage

An arranged marriage allows choice, while a forced marriage does not and is illegal.

UK Census Frequency

Conducted every 10 years.

Migration

The movement from one country to another.

Polygyny

A family structure where there are multiple wives.

Symmetrical Family

A family structure where there is equality between partners in domestic labor and decision-making.

Fertility Rate

The average number of children a woman will have during her childbearing years (15–45).

Expressive Role

The emotional support and caring role often attributed to women in the family.

Toxic Childhood Sociologist

Sue Palmer is associated with the study of toxic childhood.

Cushioning Effect

A concept associated with sociologist Zaretsky.

Dark Side of the Family

Refers to abuse and violence within family structures.

Neo-Conventional Family

A dual-earning family that retains traditional roles.

Types of Diversity

According to the Rapoports, the five types are cultural, life course, organizational, generational, and social class diversity.

Rise in Cohabitation Reason

Secularization and less stigma attached to living together without marriage.

Main Functionalist Thinkers

Murdock and Parsons discuss family structures and functions.

Murdock's Family Functions

Economic, reproduction, socialization, stabilisation of sex drive.

Death Rate Definition

The number of deaths per year per 1000 of the population.

Feminism Types

Three types of feminism include radical, liberal, and Marxist.

Postmodernist View of Family

Suggests that families are created to suit individual needs at a given time.

Joint Conjugal Roles

Partners share domestic labor and leisure time equally.

Child-Centered Family

A family structure that prioritizes the needs of the children.

Definition of Family

A group of people bonded by blood or legal means.

Divorce Rate

The number of divorces per 1000 married couples per year.

Negotiated Family Sociologist

Associated with Beck's individualization theory.

Marriage Trend Over 50 Years

There has been a decline in marriage rates.

Children vs. Adults Inequality

Children often experience neglect, abuse, and limited control over their own lives.

Changing Position of Children

Due to legislation such as compulsory schooling and children's rights.

Pure Relationship Definition

A relationship based on choice and love rather than tradition or social norms.

Symmetrical Family Rise Reason

Evolving role of women, geographical mobility, and new technology.

Age Patriarchy Definition

The dominance of adults over children in society.

Childhood Changes Argument

Opie argued that childhood is not disappearing but is changing.

Difference Between Immigration and Emigration

Emigration refers to leaving a country; immigration means entering a country.

Historical Differences in Childhood

Investigated by Aries.

Information Hierarchy Definition

The division between adults who can read and children who cannot.

Money Control in Family

Pahl and Volger identified pooling and allowance as methods of controlling finances.

Dependency Ratio Definition

The ratio between the working population and non-working or dependent populations.

Fictive Kin Definition

Friends treated as family members.

Domestic Violence Cause Theorist

Dobash and Dobash suggested it is rooted in patriarchy.

Dual Burden Definition

The expectation of women to manage both domestic labor and emotional support.

Perspective on Rising Divorce Rates

Postmodernism views increasing divorce rates as a sign of greater choice.

Instrumental Role Definition

Typically associated with the male as the breadwinner and disciplinarian.

Social Construct Definition

A social phenomenon that varies from society to society.

Decline in Birth Rate Reason

Changing role of women and the introduction of contraception.

Rise of Lone Parent Families Reason

Changing role of women and the rise in divorce rates.

Cultural Explanation for Domestic Division of Labour

Associated with Gurshuny, Man Yee Kan, and Dunne.

Information Hierarchy Reiteration

The division between adults who can read and children who cannot.

Investigated Tikopia Tribe

Firth studied the Tikopia tribe concerning children's roles.

Decline in Death Rate Reasons

Improved nutrition, medical advancements, and better public health measures.

Life Expectancy Definition

The average lifespan of a person.

Net Migration Definition

The difference between the number of people leaving and entering a country.

Offer a Critique of Postman's Argument

Opie argued against Postman, asserting that childhood is evolving rather than disappearing.

Marxist View of Family Capitalism Support

Families support capitalism by managing wealth inheritance and reproducing labor.

Impact of Aging Population

Higher dependency ratios and increased demand for social services.

Main New Right Thinker

Charles Murray is considered the principal thinker in the New Right perspective.

Sociological Cage Definition

The constraints imposed by class, age, gender, and ethnicity on individuals.

Functional Fit by Parsons

The idea that familial structures adapt to the needs of society.

LAT Meaning

Living apart together relationship model.

Reconstituted Family Definition

A family created when partners bring children from previous relationships together.

Extended Family Definition

A family structure that includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Patriarchy Meaning

A social system where males hold primary power.

Pre-Industrial Family Type

The extended family was most prominent before industrialization.

Household Type in 2011

Single-person households accounted for 11% of all households.

Neo-Conventional Family Sociologist

Chester is associated with the neo-conventional family concept.

Empty Nest Family Definition

A family where the children have grown up and left home.

Adult Control Over Children Methods

Managing children's space, time, resources, and bodies.

Endogamous Marriage Definition

A marriage between partners from the same ethnic group, social class, or religion.

Household Definition

A group of people who live together and share resources.

Refugee vs. Asylum Seeker Difference

A refugee is someone who has requested asylum but has not yet been processed.

Child-Centered Family Reason

The phenomenon where families are becoming more focused on children's needs.

Types of Marital Breakdown

Includes divorce, separation, annulment, and empty shell relationships.

Serial Monogamy Definition

Having one exclusive sexual partner at a time, but following relationships one after another.

Sandwich Generation Definition

Adults who care for both their children and their elderly parents.

Postman's Argument for Disappearing Childhood

Cited the information hierarchy, blurred responsibilities, and sexualization of children.

Parsons' Definition of Social Institution Change

Structural differentiation refers to how institutions adapt to society.

Political Lesbianism Definition

Radical feminists emphasize political lesbianism as a rejection of sexual politics.

Confluent Love Definition

A romantic relationship that lasts only as long as it is mutual and meets expectations.

Aries' Investigation Methods

Used paintings and photographs to explore historical childhood.

Parsons' Role Terms

The 'instrumental role' is the term for the primary breadwinner and disciplinarian.

Domestic Violence Reporting Issues

Fear of reporting, belief that victims deserve it, and lack of awareness of victimization.

Matrifocal Single Parent Families Ethnic Group

Most common in the Afro-Caribbean community.

Polygamy Definition

A marriage involving more than two partners.

Ascribed Status Definition

A status one is born into.

Difference Between Empty Nest and Empty Shell Marriage

An empty nest means children have left; an empty shell indicates a lack of marital love.

Divorce Reasons Before Divorce Reform Act

Could include abuse, abandonment, or adultery.

Extended Family Definition In Detail

A family where three or more generations live in close proximity to each other.

Main Causes of Domestic Violence

Husband's expectations regarding domestic work, possessiveness, and allocation of family resources.