Families and households

Define Family

Group of people related by blood, marriage, civil partnership or adoption

Define Household

One person living alone or a group of people living in the same address

Define Nuclear Family

Traditional family which consists of a husband and wife and 2 children living together

Define Extended Family

Includes relatives all living under the same roof

Define Beanpole Family

Families with multiple generations of older people living in the same house. Often found in South Asian households

Define Same-sex Family

Where the couple is in a homosexual relationship, living together.

Define Patriarchal Family

Family that is dominated by the man

Define Matriarchal Family

Family that is dominated by the woman

Define Blended Family

Define Symmetrical Family

Define Lone Parent Family

Define Monogamy

Marriage between 2 people. Mostly in Europe, USA & Christian culture

Define Serial Monogamy

A series of monogamous marriages. Mostly in high rates of divorce and remarriage societies

Define Polygamy

Marriage to more than one partner at the same time

Define Polygyny

Marriage between one husband and 2 or more wives

Define Polyandry

Marriage between one wife and 2 or more husbands

Define Arranged Marriage

Marriage arranged by the parents to match their children up with partners of similar backgrounds & status. Found in Indian & Hindu ethics groups

Define Civil Partnership

Provides legal recognition and equal treatment to same-sex couples. 

Define domestic division of labour

Roles that men and women play in relation to household chores, childcare and paid work

What did functionalist Parsons say about division of labour