Relationships, Marriage, and Family Dynamics

Cohabitation

Couple sharing a residence without marriage

Monogamy

Being married to only one person

Polygamy

Being married to more than one person

Bigamy

Entering marriage while still married

Marriage

Legally recognized contract between individuals in a sexual relationship

Family

Socially recognized group connected by blood, marriage, or adoption

Family of Orientation

Family one is born into

Family of Procreation

Family formed through marriage

Bilateral Descent

Tracing kinship through both parents' lines

Kinship

Person's traceable ancestry through blood, marriage, or adoption

Unilateral Descent

Tracing kinship through one parent only

Patrilineal Descent

Unilateral descent following the father's line

Matrilineal Descent

Unilateral descent following the mother's line

Ambilineal

Unilateral descent following either parent's side

Patrilocal Residence

Custom for wife to live with husband's family

Matrilocal Residence

Custom for husband to live with wife's family

Family Life Cycle

Predictable steps and patterns families experience

Family Life Course

Model viewing family events as fluid

Nuclear Family

Two parents and children in one household

Extended Family

Household with parents, children, and relatives

Single-parent Family

One parent living with children

Blended Family

Family with children from previous relationships

Foster Care

Children living with non-biological guardians

Same-Sex Couples

Households with partners of the same gender

Functionalism

Views families as stabilizing society

Conflict Theory

Highlights power struggles in family life

Divorce Rates

Varied rates across regions and reasons

Intimate Partner Violence

Includes physical, sexual, emotional abuse

Child Abuse

Forms include neglect, physical, sexual, psychological maltreatment