Marriage and Family Trends - Exam 1

Flashcards covering marriage trends, definitions of family, historical context of labor and societal roles, shifts in marriage and love, classism in childrearing, different parenting styles, the Afrocentric ideology of motherhood, challenges faced by fathers, and the impact of economic and policy changes on family structures. Based on Unit 1 lecture notes and readings.

How can 'family' be defined according to the lecture notes?

Family can be defined as blood related (mother, father, cousins) or 'found family' (friends, coworkers, community).

What are some pros and cons of blood-related family as outlined in the notes?

Pros include lifelong protection, while cons can include unwanted ties and potential abuse of legal protections.

What factors have contributed to the modern definition of 'found family' gaining prominence?

Growing individualism among people, less importance on familial tasks, increased focus on individual careers, and the isolating and connecting aspects of social media.

How has social media had a dual impact on family connections and individualism?

It can isolate people, leading to a loss of in-person social skills, but it also allows individuals to find communities and support networks they wouldn't normally find in the 'real world'.

During the Victorian era, what was common for working-class girls regarding the workforce?

Irish and German girls often entered the workforce by 12 years old, and Black, Jewish, or Italian girls were also exploited in labor.

When did middle and upper-class Victorian families begin withdrawing their children from the workforce?

By 1951, followed later by other classes.

What is a significant shift observed in the importance of marriage in modern society?

Marriage is less important and less of a focus than in the past, with more births outside marriage and cohabitation, and it's no longer an inevitable feature of adulthood.

What influence did the legalization of same-sex marriage have on marriage rates?

It led to a spike in marriages as couples previously living together got married.

Beyond the right to marry, what legal issues persist for same-sex couples, according to the notes?

Legal issues persist regarding parenting rights for non-biological parents, creating a false sense of security about their rights in medical or educational decisions.

How does marriage play a role in maintaining inequality according to the notes?

People tend to marry others like themselves in terms of income, education, and occupation, which can reinforce existing social stratification.

What is 'cultural capital' in the context of families?

Familiarity with tastes, preferences, and behaviors that are normative in a given setting, which can influence success but isn't always enough to overcome racial or gender barriers.

Describe the 'intensive parenting' style discussed in the notes.

It's the dominant ideology, involving significant emotional labor, large time commitments, cultivating children's talents through organized play and expert guidance, and applies mainly to middle-class white families.

What is 'inventive parenting' and why do mothers engage in it?

It involves creative labor to earn money or acquire resources (like sourcing diapers) due to mothers wanting to engage in intensive parenting but lacking the time or financial means.

What is a direct correlation mentioned in the notes regarding education and income?

There is a direct correlation between education and the amount of money an individual makes.

How does a felony record impact job opportunities for low-income men?

It makes it nearly impossible to get even a low-wage job.

According to Patricia Hill Collins, what is the core argument about dominant ideas of 'motherhood'?

Dominant ideas of 'motherhood' are premised on the beliefs and practices of white women and are not always applicable to the experiences of mothers of color.

What are three ways Black mothering differs from white mothering according to the notes?

It's not restricted to the nuclear family (shared endeavor), sex-role segregation is less common, and 'good mothering' is not associated with staying home (financial dependence on the father).

What are the two Eurocentric views of Black Mothers discussed in the notes?

The 'Mammy' (faithful, devoted servant) and the 'Strong Matriarch' (head of the family, raising strong daughters and weak sons, leading to false policy implications about poverty).

What is the 'Afrocentric Ideology of Motherhood' characterized by?

A tension between raising kids to fit into dominant society and encouraging them to identify themselves, develop their own thoughts, ensure self-love, and foster self-sufficiency.

How does funding for public education contribute to disparity?

Money for public schools comes from property taxes, meaning rich neighborhoods have better public education, leading to disparities in resources and access to advanced courses.

According to Kevin Shafer, what prevents men from being the dads they want to be?

Public policy and social institutions, stemming from patriarchal gender ideology, power dynamics, and gendered roles, create structural and cultural barriers.

What specific structural barriers are mentioned as preventing men from being involved fathers?

Exclusion from prenatal care and childbirth courses, lack of acknowledgment for postpartum depression in dads, and the absence of guaranteed paid paternity leave in the US.

What is the 'parenting premium' and how does it affect mothers and fathers differently?

Involved dads gain status and are seen as more attractive employees, while mothers being parents often makes them seem undesirable or unreliable to employers.

What policies are suggested to support fathers and promote more equitable parenting?

Inclusive parenting classes, inclusive prenatal care, paid paternity leave, equal pay for men and women, and a cultural shift to redefine masculinity.

What economic factors since the 1970s have impacted men's experience of fatherhood?

Wage decline (especially for men with less education), increased inflation, and economic recessions, leading some men to become stay-at-home dads out of necessity rather than choice.

How did changes in the US economy affect traditional male manufacturing jobs after the 1970s?

Reagan-era policies attacked labor unions, US manufacturing moved overseas due to cheaper labor elsewhere, undermining the industry and causing job losses for uneducated men.

What happened to the 'social safety net' in the US starting in the 1970s?

It began to shrink, with programs like 'welfare' (TANF) being reformed in 1996 to emphasize self-sufficiency, leaving more poor people without government support.

What is the 'spatial mismatch' phenomenon?

Manufacturing companies (and wealthy people) left old cities, moving to suburbs or growth areas, leaving concentrations of poor people in cities without job opportunities or adequate transportation.

How does being born into a low-income family shape future opportunities and wealth transfer?

It's difficult to escape because children have fewer opportunities, less wealth is passed on, and expensive public/private education creates debt, hindering social mobility.

What role did the GI Bill play in social mobility after WWII?

It provided free college tuition and allowed people to buy houses, enabling wealth accumulation that could later be passed onto their children, fostering social mobility.