Exam Review for Families in Canada Course

Affective nurturance

To meet the emotional needs of a family - love

Arranged marriages

Planned marriages by the parents/guardians of the people to be wed

Blended family

A family with children from previous relationships.

Conjugal relationship

A committed, intimate, passionate relationship

Cottage industry

Pre-industrial work - it was businesses run out of people's homes and the whole family would participate in running the business

Dual-income family

Both partners make money for the household.

Extended family

A family that includes relatives beyond nuclear family (2 parents, and children).

Hordes

First family grouping in history. They came together because the human brain takes time to develop - at least 5 years - so these groups raised children together

Monogamy

One spouse

Nuclear family

Two parents and children living together

Patriarchy

A structure where men dominate and make the important decisions in a household. Women and children are considered chattel or their property.

Polygamy

Having multiple spouses or partners

Transitional family

Family where one or more parents temporarily live/work away from home

Functions of the family

Socialization, reproduction, economic contribution, physical care, discipline, love and affective nurturance.

Anthropology

The study of human behaviour in societies with an emphasis on the cultural factors - including the arts, beliefs, habits, institutions, and other endeavors - that are characteristic of a specific community, society or nation.

Psychology

The study of human behaviour based on mental processes.

Sociology

A social science that explains the behaviour of individuals as they interact in social groups such as families and other socially organized settings.

Conflict Theory

Examines how societies are held together by power, not individuals and groups needing and depending on one another; conflict exists because of inequalities in power.

Power

The ability to control another person's behaviour.

Exchange Theory

States that individuals make decisions by weighing costs and benefits.

Symbolic Interactionism

Examines how individuals behave based on their own interpretations of an event; meaning that people attach to their experiences of the world matters.

Functionalism

Examines how society is organized to perform its required functions effectively; everything has a function in society.

Feminist Theory

Looks at the impact of sex and gender on behavior and from the specific point of view of 'women'.

Life Course Approach

Looks at behaviour demonstrated by individuals or families at various stages in their lives; describes predictable changes in behaviour as they progress through various stages.

Developmental tasks

Challenges that force individuals to adapt as they grow up and expectations change.

Feminism

The radical notion that women are people; fights for equality across intersectionalities and experiences.

Macro approach

A perspective that examines large-scale social processes.

Micro approach

A perspective that focuses on small-scale interactions between individuals.

Example of Conflict Theory

Men worked outside and were paid; women worked in the home and were not paid, leading to exploitation/oppression.

Example of Exchange Theory

Divorce occurs when costs are greater than the rewards.

Example of Symbolic Interactionism

A child stealing because she is hungry; understanding behavior requires understanding the person's point of view.

Example of Functionalism

Families are institutions that serve specific functions in society, and family members are expected to fill prescribed roles.

Different arms of feminism

Radical, liberal, socialist, intersectionalist.

Feminism and Conflict Theory

Feminism shares roots with Conflict Theory and considers the balance of power between people.

Predictable changes in behaviour

Assumes that families have life courses that are predictable.

Systems Theory

Suggests that individuals cannot be understood in isolation from one another, but rather as a part of their family.

Adolescence

Period between childhood and adulthood.

Credentialism

Value placed on educational qualifications.

Emerging adulthood

18-34 age range of identity exploration and transition to adulthood.

Adulthood in Canada

In most provinces, once you are 18 you are an adult, which comes with more responsibilities like voting.

Self-Reliant

Expected state of individuals achieving adult status in North America, implying complete independence and self-sufficiency.

Adult roles and independence

Traditional markers of adulthood such as finishing school, getting a job, or moving out no longer guarantee full independence financially, socially, or emotionally.

Key components of emerging adulthood

Leaving home, finding jobs, completing school, and finding relationships, influenced by social, cultural, and economic factors.

Post-secondary diploma attainment

Women tend to get post-secondary diplomas more frequently than men.

Reasons for leaving home - Past

Mostly marriage, then jobs, then school, then independence.

Reasons for leaving home - Present

Independence, school, jobs, marriage.

Family factors for leaving home later

1) Intact, 2 parent families or widowed parents; 2) Parents who were born in Asia or Latin America; 3) Parent who left home later themselves; 4) Living in a single parent house; 5) Living in an urban environment.

Family factors for leaving home earlier

1) Living in Rural Communities; 2) Living in Smaller Home; 3) Many siblings; 4) Demanding Parents.

Reasons for staying home

Saving for own place, looking for jobs, liked living with their mother because it was more convenient.

Traditionally, women leaving home

Women left home earlier than men due to earlier marriage and gender norms emphasizing domestic roles.

Rites of passage

Ceremonies or events marking an individual's transition from one status to another, such as adolescence to adulthood.

Psychological Clock

How we change psychologically over time - maturation

Biological Clock

How we change biologically over time - physical body

Chronological Clock

How we change as certain life events happen or don't happen - based on your age

Social Clock

How we change socially over time - based on how we behave in regards to social norms expected at that age

Erik Erikson's 8 Stages of Life

Emphasizes psychosocial development through distinct stages.

Klaus Riegel's Dimensions of Development

Focuses on the interplay between biological, psychological, and societal factors.

Leonard Pearlin's Theory of Psychological Distress

Explores how life stressors impact mental health.

Jeffrey Arnett's Theory of Emerging Adulthood

Identifies emerging adulthood as a distinct developmental stage.

banns

A public announcement about a couple's intent to marry, traditionally made in church 3 weeks before marriage.

betrothal

A formal agreement to marry, an engagement.

bride price

Money or goods given by the groom's family to the bride's family as part of the marriage agreement.

cohabitation

When a couple lives together without being legally married.

dower rights

Legal rights of a widow to her deceased husband's property.

dowry

Money or goods given by the bride's family to the groom (or couple) at marriage.

egalitarian relationships

Partnerships where both individuals share power and responsibilities equally.

levirate obligation

The duty of a man to marry his deceased brother's widow to support her and carry the family line.

matrilineal

Descent or inheritance traced through the mother's line.

matrilocal

A married couple lives with or near the wife's family.

pair-bond

A strong, lasting connection between two individuals, often involving emotional and sexual attachment.

patrilineal

Descent or inheritance traced through the father's line.

patrilocal

A married couple lives with or near the husband's family.

polyandry

One woman is married to multiple men.

polygyny

One man is married to multiple women.

History of marriage

Marriage was a social and economic alliance in ancient times, arranged for family alliances in the medieval era, with romantic love playing a role from the 16th century onward.

Catholic Church regulation of marriage

Around the 12th century, the Catholic Church began to define marriage as a sacrament.

Timing of marriage

People are marrying later than in previous generations; in Canada, the average age of first marriage is around 31 for women and around 33 for men.

Cohabitation in Canada

The rate of cohabiting couples is increasing; the proportion of people cohabitating vs. getting married is notable.

Cohabitation trend in Canada

It is increasing; in 1981, ~6% of couples were cohabiting, and in 2021, over 23% of all couples were in cohabiting relationships.

Proportion of Cohabitation vs. Marriage

Marriage is still more common, but nearly 1 in 4 couples now cohabit without being married.

Age group most likely to cohabit

Ages 25-34 are the most likely to cohabit.

Reasons for cohabiting

To test compatibility before marriage, financial convenience, delaying marriage but still wanting intimacy, some don't believe in legal marriage, and divorce fears or previous negative experiences.

Inertia Effect

There is a 1.31 times chance that females will get divorced after year 1 if they cohabitate prior to marriage because of the inertia effect.

Common Law Marriage

In Canada, this status applies to someone who has been living with you for 12 continuous months in a conjugal (intimate, romantic) relationship.

Formation of Common Law Marriage

Formed by living together over time.

Legal Marriage

Formed through a legal ceremony and license, with spouses having legal protections around property, pensions, and spousal support.

Benefits of Common-Law

Flexibility, no ceremony costs, and still eligible for certain benefits (tax, child support).

Disadvantages of Common-Law

Less legal protection if the relationship ends and must prove the relationship existed if disputes arise.

Evolutionary Psychology

Humans choose mates based on traits that increase reproductive success; men tend to seek youth and physical attractiveness, while women seek resources, protection, and parental investment.

Social Homogamy

We are attracted to people with similar social backgrounds, such as age, ethnicity, religion, education, and values, which increases compatibility and reduces conflict.

Ideal Mate Theory

People form a 'love map' or image of their ideal partner based on early experiences and fantasy or media influences.

Attraction as Fair Exchange (Exchange Theory)

We look for a partner who gives us equal value in return, and a relationship is satisfying when both feel the exchange is fair.

Sternberg's Love Triangle

A model created by Robert Sternberg that illustrates the components of love.

Triangular Theory of Love

Robert Sternberg's theory proposing that love has 3 components.

Liking

Intimacy only; example: Close friendship.

Infatuation

Passion only; example: A crush or one-night stand.

Empty Love

Commitment only; example: Arranged marriage without love.

Romantic Love

Intimacy + Passion; example: Dating couple without long-term plans.

Companionate Love

Intimacy + Commitment; example: Long-term marriage without passion.

Fatuous Love

Passion + Commitment; example: Quick Vegas wedding with no deep bond.