Marriage and Family Key terms

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from the sociology of marriage and family, suitable for exam preparation.

Modern Family

Any unit of adults and children performing the functions of and considering themselves a family.

Nuclear Family

Basic social unit consisting of married adults and their children.

Extended Family

A family unit consisting of legally and biologically related persons. More than one nuclear unit is represented.

Marriage

A legitimate union of at least one male to one female resulting in the assumption of the cultural roles of husband and wife.

Gay Marriage

The legitimate union of two same sex adults into a legally binding monogamous partnership and entitling them to the cultural benefits of marriage.

Rules of Endogamy

Those rules which specify a person should select a mate from within a particular group.

Rules of Exogamy

Those rules which specify a person should select a mate from outside of a particular group.

Romantic Love

A type of love that is strong, physical, sexual and involves a very emotional attachment.

Companionate Love

A mature type of love based on caring, companionship, communication and friendship.

Homogamy

The practice of selecting marriage partners from groups of people who are similar.

Family of Orientation

The family which gives birth or adopts a child.

Family of Procreation

The family formed when a person gets married and has children.

Complementary Needs

A theory which states spouses select one another on the basis of how well the needs each has are complemented by the needs of the other.

Monogamy

The practice of having one spouse.

Serial Monogamy

The practice of having more than one spouse over a lifetime, but having them in succession rather than concurrently.

Polygamy

The practice of having multiple spouses.

Polygyny

The practice of having multiple wives.

Polyandry

The practice of having multiple husbands.

Group Marriage

A theoretical possibility only where multiple males and multiple females are considered married.

Open Marriage

A type of marriage in which each partner is allowed to date others.

Matrilineal Descent

Children are seen as belonging to the mother.

Patrilineal Descent

Children are seen as belonging to the father.

Bilineal Descent

Children are seen as belonging to both parents.

Matrilocal Residence

When a couple lives in the house or the village of the woman.

Patrialocal Residence

When a couple lives in the house or the village of the male.

Neo Local Residence

When a couple lives alone, away from relatives.

Matriarchal Family

Authority and dominance of the female.

Patriarchal Family

Authority and dominance of the male.

Egalitarian Authority

Male and Female share authority.