Sociology of Family, Education, Economy, Power, and Gender

Social Institution

A structured system that meets society's needs (family, education, religion, economy, government).

Family

U.S. Census definition: People related by blood, marriage, or adoption living together.

Nuclear Family

Parents + children.

Extended Family

Includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins.

Antimiscegenation Laws

Laws banning interracial marriage (struck down in Loving v. Virginia, 1967).

Exogamy

Marrying outside one's social group.

Endogamy

Marrying within one's social group.

Family Functions

Emotional support, Economic support, Socialization of children.

Resource Distribution

Who controls money, labor, and decision-making within families.

Gender Roles

Societal expectations based on gender.

Structural Functionalism

Society is a system where all parts work together for stability.

Conflict Theory

Society is shaped by inequality, competition, and power struggles.

Symbolic Interactionism

Focuses on daily interactions and meanings people assign.

Social Constructionism

Social realities are created by society/culture.

Essentialist Approach

Belief that differences are biologically natural.

Socialization

Learning norms, values, and behaviors.

Formal Education

Structured schooling.

Informal Education

Learning outside school (family, peers, media).

Hidden Curriculum

Unspoken lessons in schools (obedience, gender norms, punctuality).

Charter Schools

Publicly funded but independently run.

Voucher Systems

Government money used for private school tuition.

Capitalism

Private ownership, profit-based economy.

Socialism

Shared/public ownership with government regulation.

Communism

Classless system with communal ownership.

Means of Production

Factories, tools, resources used to create goods.

Alienation (Karl Marx)

Workers feel disconnected from labor under capitalism.

Information Revolution

Shift to technology-based economy.

Microchip Development

Major technological advancement driving globalization.

Sweatshops

Low-wage factories with poor conditions.

Working Conditions

Labor environment, wages, safety.

Power

Ability to control others.

Authority

Legitimate power.

Power Elite (C. Wright Mills)

Small group controlling politics, military, economy.

Special Interest Groups

Organizations influencing policy for specific causes.

Sociology of Religion

Study of religion's role in society.

Extrinsic Religiosity

Religion for external benefits (status, community).

Intrinsic Religiosity

Religion as genuine belief.

Fundamentalism

Strict adherence to religious doctrine.

Religious Institutions

Organized systems of belief/practice.

Sex

Biological traits.

Gender

Socially constructed roles.

Gender Identity

Personal understanding of one's gender.

Essentialism

Gender differences are biological.

Constructionism

Gender is socially created.

First-Wave Feminism

Voting rights.

Second-Wave Feminism

Workplace, reproductive rights, equality.

Intersectionality

How race, class, gender overlap in oppression.

Men's Rights Movement

Focuses on male disadvantages.

Male Liberation Movement

Challenges restrictive masculinity.