SOCI 200: Family Definitions and Sociological Theories

What is the definition of a family according to Murdock?

A social group characterized by a common residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction, including adults of both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one or more children.

Why do definitions of family matter?

They impact values, dreams, hopes, identity, legal rights, tax policy, child support guidelines, and social assistance eligibility.

What is the census definition of a family in Canada?

A married or common-law couple (opposite or same sex) with or without children, or a lone parent living with at least one child.

What types of families does the census family definition include?

Married or common-law couples with or without children, and lone parents with at least one child.

What is a household definition of families?

A group of people who share a common residence without necessarily having biological, sexual, or reproductive connections.

What are some examples of households?

Roommates, boarders, group-home residents, nuclear families, extended families.

What is the preferred UN definition of families?

Defining families by what they do, emphasizing socio-economic functions and emotional, financial, and material support.

What are New Reproductive Technologies (NRT)?

Methods such as surrogacy, co-parenting, and platonic parenting that redefine family structures.

What are some types of intimate relationships?

Dating, cohabiting, marriage, living apart together (LAT), polyamorous relationships, casual sexual relationships.

What is kinship?

A relationship shared through blood or marriage that influences residence, marriage, and opportunities.

What are the main sociological theories of the family?

Structural Functionalism, Symbolic Interactionism, Marxist Theory, Feminist Theories, Marxist Feminist Theory, Post Modern Theory, Life Course.

What does Structural Functionalism focus on in the context of family?

It examines how family members fit together and the purposes families serve within society.

What functions do families serve according to Talcott Parsons?

Regulating sexual activity, economic cooperation, reproduction, socialization, and emotional support.

What criticism is often leveled against Structural Functionalism?

It is criticized for being idealistic and narrow, focusing primarily on the heterosexual nuclear family.

How does Structural Functionalism view gender roles in families?

It presumes men are specialized in paid work and women in domesticity.

What is the significance of the male breadwinner model in family studies?

It highlights reliance on one income source, which can be problematic in diverse family structures.

What is the concept of 'living apart together' (LAT)?

A relationship where partners maintain separate residences while being committed to each other.

What is the impact of definitions of family on same-sex couples?

Historically, definitions have excluded same-sex couples from benefits like pensions and parental rights.

What is the role of kin-keepers in families?

Individuals who maintain family contact and relationships within kinship networks.

What is the difference between 'family' and 'household' in sociological terms?

Family refers to biological or legal connections, while household refers to shared living arrangements regardless of those connections.

What is a major criticism of structural functionalism?

It focuses primarily on the heterosexual nuclear family and does not address other family structures.

What does structural functionalism emphasize regarding family roles?

It emphasizes the male breadwinner model, which is criticized for relying on one person's income.

What does symbolic interactionism focus on in the context of family?

It focuses on how family members interact and the meanings they create through symbols and rituals.

How does subjectivity influence social interaction according to symbolic interactionism?

Subjectivity shapes social interaction, and vice versa, affecting how relationships are understood.

What is the Marxist perspective on the family?

The family exists in relation to economic systems and reflects worker alienation in capitalist societies.

What did Friedrich Engels argue about early foraging societies?

He argued that they were focused on communal life rather than the nuclear family, with children parented by the community.

What is the focus of Marxist feminist theory?

It examines women's unpaid labor in the home and argues that capitalism relies on this labor.

What is a criticism of Marxist feminist theory?

It often overlooks the experiences of marginalized groups, such as women of color and those with disabilities.

What do feminist theories examine in relation to families?

They examine gender inequalities in intimate relations and advocate for changes in social policy.

What is the 'second shift' as described by Hochschild?

It refers to the additional unpaid labor women often perform at home after their paid work.

What do liberal feminists advocate for?

They advocate for equality of opportunity and address unequal treatment in education and the labor market.

What do radical feminists blame for gender inequality?

They blame patriarchy as the source of inequality in intimate relations and family structures.

What does postmodernist theory reject?

It rejects grand theories and narratives, asserting that no single variable or truth can fully explain social phenomena.

How does postmodernist theory view truth?

Truth reflects power relations and ideology, shaped by those in power.

What are the five principles of life course theory?

1. Human development is lifelong. 2. People construct their own life courses. 3. History shapes lives. 4. Timing of events matters. 5. Lives are linked.

What is a criticism of life course theory?

It does not fully explain the context or factors that lead to different outcomes from similar events.

What factors are causing changes in family definitions today?

Industrialization, urbanization, contraceptive technology, labor force participation rates, and global socio-economic shifts.

What shift is occurring in the definition of family?

There is a shift away from structural-based definitions to function-based definitions of family.

What do all sociological theories of family have in common?

They offer different explanations of families but all have limitations.