Families in Canada - Unit 3 Test

Types of family structures: historically, current families, Disney representation of families. → Historically families were used to help populate the town, not used for love – talk about how industrialization is an example of historic family

Historically, families were presented and discussed in one way by the media. Usually, a white, nuclear family consists of a mother and father with their unmarried children. However, in our current life, families are represented and discussed in many different ways as the idea of family has changed over time. Now we have families like single-parent families, blended families, same-sex parents, and more! An example of how far we have come in media is Disney. In 1950, the movie Cinderella depicted primarily white characters. But it also depicts Cinderella’s mother dying and her father, a widow, remarries but dies shortly after. Cinderella was raised by her stepmom. Today, Disney showcases different ethnic backgrounds and cultures. An example is the movie Coco. It focuses on the Mexican culture and a whole different family structure, like an extended family. Another example is Modern Family which depicts nuclear, blended, and same-sex family structures. Overall, the idea of family has completely changed over the centuries, with society being more open to different cultures and family structures.

The Vanier Institue

The Vanier Institute defines family as any combination of two or more persons who are bound together over time by ties of mutual consent, birth, and/or adoption or placement. Together they assume responsibility for some of the following: physical maintenance and care of group members, addition of new members through procreation or adoption, socialization of children, social control of members, production, consumption, and distribution of goods and services, and effective nurturance.

Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology, Ethnocentrism

Anthropology – the study of human behaviour in societies, there, the study of the arts, beliefs, habits, institutions, and other endeavours that are characteristic of a specific community.

Psychology – The study of behaviour based on mental processes, focusing on how the individual thinks.

Sociology – Social science that explains the behaviour of individuals as they interact in social groups

Ethnocentrism – (The tendency to evaluate behaviour from the point of view of one’s own culture) – leading cause of discrimination.

Different types of families (same-sex, nuclear, blended, single-parent)

Same-sex - The couple is of the same sex (two women, or two men) and they have children.

Nuclear - Composed of two parents and their unmarried children living in the same household.

Blended - A union where, in addition to one or both parents bringing children to a situation, the new couple has at least one child together.

Single-parent - A family with only one parent, male or female.

A common law family – an unmarried couple, regardless of gender, with or without children.

A step-family – is any committed relationship where at least one of the partners has children from a previous relationship in the past.

Extended family – a group that consists of parents children, and other close relatives often nearby and often spanning three or more generations.

Shirley Zimmermann – Functions of the family

There six functions of the family,that Shirley Zimmerman has summarized that if fulfilled will fulfill the necessary roles in society.however if society no longer motivates individuals to carry out these responsibilities,neither the society or the institution of family will survive.

Addition of new members through procreation or adoption

Physical maintenance and care of group members

Socialization of children

Social control of members

Affective nurturance-love

Production, consumption, and distribution of goods and services

The history of the family (horde, hunter-gatherers, agricultural, pre-industrial, urban industrial, industrialization, consumer, contemporary Canadian.)

Horde – The first family groupings, such as our primate relatives.

Hunter-gatherers – Men were usually the hunters and toolmakers while women were gathers. They gathered fruits, nuts, grains, herbs, even small prey. They also nurtured the young children. Children observe and learn from their parents.

Agricultural – Men were leaders and made decisions while women cared for children and handled domestic work, along with labour in the family fields. Children were economic assets and they also worked on the field. Supported their parents as they got older.

Pre – before industrialization, the stage of adolescence did not exist. By the ages of 7-8 children were expected to be old enough to do some kind of work, after the age of 8, they were considered youths until they got married and lived independently. Families produced many children to increase the chance of having a son, and to take care of them in their old age.

Urban industrial – men were money earners who worked to provide for their wives and children. Women were nurturers who worked at home and were supported financially by their husbands. Children attended school.

Consumer family – Men were head of the household and expected to fund the family, make decisions and discipline children. Women’s role was to be a wife, mother, and housekeeper for the family. They were also responsible for emotionally nurturing the children. Children were disciplined but protected by laws of education and labour.

Industrialized – Shifted the role of youths and adults in the 19th century as families began to migrate to cities to work and youths were able to gain an income without leaving home. Fathers took their children to work instead of being shipped away to work and earn an income. Females were educated as well.

Theoretical perspectives (theory, functionalism, feminism, conflict theory, social exchange, symbolic interactionism, systems theory)

A theoretical perspective is a point of view based on a specific theory in the social sciences.

Theory – A framework for organizing and explaining evidence

Functionalism – A framework that sees society as a complex system, whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. It’s the role of individuals.

Conflict/feminism – Looks at how societies are held together by power and explains that conflict arises when there are inequalities of power present. There is an ability to control others and unequal power.

Symbolic interactionism – Explains how individuals perceive things in society based on experiences and expectations. There is perception.

Systems theory – Looks for the interactions among systems such as family members.

Exchange theory – explains how individuals make choices by weighing cost and benefit. To maximize the benefits and minimize the cost.

Explain the difference between different types of matriarchal family structures and provide examples.

Matrilineal systems refer to a situation where kinship is inherited through the mother’s family line. Many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities were matrilineal before colonization and remained matrilineal post-contact. Khasi people are one of the very few remaining matriarchal communities in India. Even though the children receive their mother’s surname, men play a role in their upbringing. The married couple doesn’t have to live with the bride’s parents unless

she is the youngest daughter.

6 functions of the family.

Addition of new family members – families have children through birth or adoption and may also use the help of fertility clinics

Physical care of members – bathing children, feeding family, taking care of elders

Socialization of children – teaching children language, taking them to school, helping with homework, taking children to cultural activities.

Social control of members – decision of how members of the family function outside of the home – career-wise, school, etc.

Affective nurturance – maintaining the morale of members; family comforts children when crying

Producing and consuming goods and services – parents or guardians earn money through work/careers, chores, paying bills, and providing shelter.

Describe the signs of a dysfunctional family

Addiction
Perfectionism
Abuse
Unpredictability and fear
Conditional love
Lack of boundaries
Lack of intimacy
Poor communication

Describe the difference between pre-industrial families and industrialized families

What is the consumer family?

In the 1940s-1950s, Canadians expected and wanted to live as industrial nuclear families, post WWII, the Canadian economy expanded rapidly because Canadians could afford to have larger families. Women averaged 4 children per family.

What role has immigration played in the family

Cultural groups that have migrated to Canada brought with them their diverse family systems, such as Arranged marriage. Arranged marriage is when the bride and groom are selected by individuals other than the couple themselves, usually by parents. In some cultures, a professional matchmaker may be used to find a spouse for a young person. Cultures that have been known to arrange marriages are places like India, China, Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq.

Explain the role the media plays in shaping our understanding of family.

Historically, families were presented in certain ways by movies and TV shows (nuclear white families), however, in our current life, families are represented in many different ways. In movies and TV shows (gender, race, culture) – We as a whole are consumers of media and when certain things are shown, it causes us to believe that the things shown are how things are supposed to be. For example, through media, shows how families are supposed to be “happy” all the time, but this is just not true. This may lead to unrealistic expectations about how a family is supposed to be or how a family should interact with one another.

Describe the challenges same-sex couples face when trying to create a family

Couples before 2012 most likely were not allowed to adopt children because it was only legal in 14 countries in 2012. Another challenge could be surrogacy as it costs a lot of money or having a donor donate sperm and that specific sperm being placed in one parent to carry the child. However, to carry a child in same-sex relationships is very costly so that is a major challenge.

(expand on stigma) – Many individuals hold negative ideas towards the idea of same-sex couples and their choice in creating a family. They think that their child may, over time, develop psychological issues or develop differently because they have same-sex parents, however, it has been proven by the Canadian Psychological Association that children of same-sex parents do not differ from the children of heterosexual parents in terms of their psychosocial development, their gender development, and their gender identity.

Define adulthood and explain how this idea has changed over time.

Adulthood is the state or condition of being fully grown or mature – the emerging adulthood phase of life follows childhood and adolescence and allows one to become a full-fledged adult. It begins when the adolescence period ends. The idea of adulthood has shifted throughout history, in the 20th century, a period of change in the roles of families began to occur. Children had to attend school until the age of 16 and the term of adolescence was introduced for children who reached puberty but were still not in the workforce. In the 21st century, there was a transition from childhood to adulthood becoming more of an extended period of adolescence, meaning that many people remained emotionally and financially dependent on their parents until their late 20’s.

Why do people leave home?

People may leave home due to relationships with their family as family conflict encourages independence which may lead to an individual leaving their home sooner than others. In contrast, a comfortable family environment encourages children to stay. However, aside from conflict, a child may choose to leave home as they develop as an adult. They may choose to move on independently.

Erik Erikson and stages of adulthood

Erik Erikson: Believed that there were several stages of development which he called the psychosocial stages of development

Stage 1: Infancy: Trust vs Mistrust (HOPE)

Stage 2: Early childhood: Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt (WILL)

Stage 3: Pre-school: Initiative vs Guilt (PURPOSE)

Stage 4: School age: Industry vs Inferiority (COMPETENCY)

Stage 5: Adolescence: Identity vs Role Confusion (FIDELITY)

Stage 6: Young adulthood: Intimacy vs Isolation (LOVE)

Stage 7: Middle Adulthood: Generativity vs Stagnation (CARE)

Stage 8: Maturity: Ego integrity vs Despair (WISDOM)

Leonard Pearlin and stages of adulthood

Levinson believes that early adulthood lasts 25 years, beginning at the age of 17 and ending in your mid-20s. During the ages of 22-28, he believes that people are entering the adult world.

Early adulthood is a time for building the structure of your life and 4 major tasks occur in this period:

1. Forming a dream and giving it a place in your life structure.

2. Forming mentor relationships.

3. Forming an occupation.

4. Forming love relationships, marriage and family.

During the ages of 28-33, the transition occurs around the age of 30. People reevaluate their life structures that they formed in their early 20s, to determine whether they are living out their dreams or not. People might decide they want to get married, divorce, have children, or change careers. This is the time to “get real” and start to settle down.

Daniel Levinson and stages of adulthood

Early adulthood is considered a time for building structure for your life and 4 major tasks occur in this period which include

forming a dream and giving it a place in your life structure.

forming mentor relationships

forming an occupation

forming love relationships, marriage and family

Daniel Levinson

Levinson believes that early adulthood lasts 25 years beginning at the age of 17 and ending in your mid-20s. During the ages of 22-28, he believes that people are entering the adult world. Early adulthood is considered a time for building structure for your life and 4 major tasks occur in this period which include

1. forming a dream and giving it a place in your life structure.

2. forming mentor relationships

3. forming an occupation

4. forming love relationships, marriage and family

Stages

- During the ages of 28-33, the transition occurs around the age of 30.

- people reevaluate their life structures that they formed in their early 20s, to determine whether they are living out their dreams or not.

- people might decide they want to get married, divorced, have children, or change careers.

- this is the time to "get real" and start to settle down

Gender Roles in Society

Boomerang Kids

Boomerang Kids – a young adult who returns to live with their parents after a period of living away from home.

Boomerang generation – They are so named for the percentage of those who choose to share a home with their parents after previously living on their own – thus boomeranging back to their parent’s residence.

Mate Selection Theories (Evolutionary, Social homogamy, ideal mate, social exchange, developmental theory, conflict theory)

Evolutionary Psychology/Natural Selection

Anthropology and Psychology

Desire based on mate is most likely to ensure that children are born and survive to adulthood to reproduce.

Natural selection

Women look for men who can provide for a family; men look for women who can bear and raise children

Social Homogony (Functionalist Theory)

Sociology

People pick a mate who is similar in age, race, ethnic background, religion, and socio-economic status.

Attracted to people of similar physical appearance.

Ideal Mate Theory

Psychology and Sociology (also known as symbolic interactionism)

Attraction is based on a person’s unconscious image of the ideal mate formed by positive and negative experiences

The relationship is based on romantic love, “love at first sight”, which leads to marriage.

Social Exchange Theory

Psychology and Sociology

Everyone finds a mate because people are attracted to different people.

People judge their personal characteristics and resources by considering who will be attracted as a possible mate

Attraction is based on reality more than fantasy

Developmental Theory

Psychology

People must understand who they are and what their roles are before being able to relate to someone else.

People must be in adulthood to have a serious relationship.

The challenge of intimate relationships is gaining intimacy without losing yourself

This can explain why women marry older men for security.

Conflict/Feminist Theory

Sociology

Explains why in most cultures and societies men are older than women in marriages.

This ensures that men have greater resources and that women will need men’s resources to improve their lifestyle.

The age difference between men and women is needed so men can have a “dominant status” in the marriage.

3 stages of marriage

Stage 1 – relationships are romantic, warm, and respectful. There is a focus on exploration, sexual attraction, and individuals bauild self-esteem as they develop into the relationship they want.

Stage 2: Conflict arises as individuals become more demanding to meet their own needs. This results in instability in the relationship and requires both to change their behaviour. This allows to the marriage to feel less rewarding.

Stage 3: Couples compromise and negotiate a relationship that meets their needs as well as possible. The relationship becomes more realistic, mature, and stable.

The basic functions of marriage

Biological Determinism- The idea that most human characteristics, physical and mental, are determined by hereditary factors.

Evolutionary Advantage. The idea that attraction is based on any inherited trait that provides the individual with an increased chance of survival and reproductive success.

Social Determinism -The theory that social interactions and constructs alone determine individual behavior.

Reproductive Capacity- The idea that attraction is an expression of the capacity of a species to reproduce itself under optimal conditions.

Cohabitation

Cohabitation is when two people live together as husband and wife without being legally married. In Ontario, Canada, two people are considered common-law partners if they have been continuously living together in a conjugal relationship for at least three years. To be considered common law is 1 year with a child and three years without a child.

Social exchange theory and marriage

Psychology and sociology

Everyone finds a mate because people are attracted to different people

People judge their personal characters and resources by considering who will be attracted as a possible mate

Attracted is based on reality more than fantasy

Ideal mate theory and marriage

Psychology and sociology are also known as symbolic interactionism

Attraction is based on a person's unconscious image formed by positive and negative experiences
The relationship is based on romantic love ‘ LOVE at first sight leads to marriage

Free mate selection and marriage

When individuals are attracted to each other, fall in love, And decide to marry.

Martin Whyte

He defined a successful marriage as having similar values, enjoying similar activities, sharing incomes, sharing power/decision-making, having friends in common, having an active social life together.

Child marriages

Refers to any formal marriage or informal union between a child under the age of 18 and an adult or another child.

Why do marriages end

top 5 reasons marriages end

Infidelity
different values and interests
Substance and alcohol abuse
Experienced abuse; physical, emotional, sexual, or financially

Career-related conflict

Requirements to get married in Ontario

To be legally married in Ontario you must be at least 18

In Ontario, a couple must be living together for three years to get most of the same legal rights as a married couple.

Heterosexual and homosexual couples have the same rights

The automatic equal division of property does not apply when a common-law relationship ends.

You and your spouse can draw up your own marriage contract, but you must sign it and have it witnessed by two people. It’s not a requirement but it’s a good idea to have a lawyer check it before you sign it to be sure it is okay.

A cohabitation agreement can serve the same purpose as a marriage contract but it applies to a couple that lives together but is not legally married.

Divorce (laws in Canada, places where divorce is illegal)

Review the theoretical frameworks and discuss how each views parenting

Structural Functionalism: They view parenthood often through the use of structure and roles in which the families have distinct roles to function better. They believe once these roles are established, the family will be maintained, organized, and able to function.

Symbolic Interactionism: Their view of parenthood is the importance of values and customs being taught within the family. They believe the members of the family contribute to the children’s learning and instill acceptable social roles. They also instill traditional values in their children which is usually done by parents or grandparents.

Conflict Theory: Their view on parenthood looks at how society places values on different family structures. This means that certain families will be valued the most in society while other family structures will be underlooked in society. So they question why society places these values on different family structures instead of viewing them as a whole.

Feminist theory: their view on parenthood is through challenging gender bias and pushing for change. They realize that families assert the idea of gender roles in their household so they would question this idea of gender roles and societal norms of male and female roles.

The impact of the baby bonus on Canadian society.

The decision to become a parent was more common in the 1950s in North America. The 1950s was the high point for fertility rates with the baby boom coming in. As WWII ended and times were better, plenty of people decided to have children. However, it was not the war alone which influenced individuals to have children, but also with the help of the baby bonus. During the baby boom, society encouraged women to have children. The baby bonus paid each woman $5 for each child under the age of 16.

Gender roles of the 1950’s

Women were pressured by society to have specific gender roles. Women were expected to be mothers, wives and homemakers. After the end of World War II in 1945, women were encouraged to leave the jobs they may have held during the war so that returning soldiers could have work. Nonetheless, about a quarter of married women worked outside the home, either full-time or part-time. Women at this time were expected by mainstream society to marry early and have children soon after marriage. The man was expected to find a job that would provide for his wife and family. The woman was expected to be a full-time mom.

The role of reproductive technology in parenthood (IVF, IUI)

Assisted human reproduction (also known as reproductive technology) is the use of medical technology such as drug therapies, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and embryo implantation to help achieve parenthood. This means that the role of reproductive technology is to help infertile couples achieve parenthood, with the use of reproductive technologies.

The evolution of birth control

Throughout history, women were not given a choice to become parents as they had no way to control their fertility or abort their babies. However, Margaret Sanger started a movement that educated women about birth control and abortion. This movement also provided health services for both men and women. Her contributions led to the numerous options for birth control and reproductive technologies since the 1960s.

Feminist theory’s view on contraception and abortion

The decision to become a parent links back to the battle to secure reproductive rights for women so that becoming a parent could be a choice and not an inevitability. This is a choice that still does not exist for many women today. Planned Parenthood, a movement started over 100 years ago by nurse Margaret Sanger to educate people about birth control and abortion, provides essential health services for men and women. Sanger’s own experiences delivering babies and watching women die in childbirth informed her activism. Advancements have spiraled since the 1960s and there are now numerous options for birth control and reproductive technology.

Discuss the different pathways to parenthood

Although the majority of parents have children via childbirth, some persons may decide to become parents using adoption or foster care. Adoption is the legal process that gives a new family to a child whose birth family cannot care for them. It intends to provide the child with permanence, security, and a forever family. Foster care is a means of providing homes for children who cannot live safely with their own families.

Define socialization

Socialization is the process of learning to become a functioning group member in society. Through socialization, children take on standards of social behaviour — the values and beliefs of other group members. Socialization makes it possible for us to form our identity and learn our world's standards, values, and cultures.

Explain six cultures study of socialization by John and Beatrice Whiting

This study was done to look at how parents from different parts of the world socialize with their children. The goal of this study was to examine the early socialization practices of six different societies around the world. – The conclusion from the study includes how people of the same society socialize their children in very similar ways and socialization practices differ quite dramatically from one society to another.

3 main points on socialization and the role of parents

Whether and how parents communicate their love to a child
The disciplinary techniques that the parents use
The parent's behaviour as role models

The role of parents is to socialize their children in ways that are socially acceptable and appropriate for their children to become functioning members of society. They also have to teach them traditional customs and values so that they can be aware of their culture and be able to practice it.

Other than parents, who and where are children socialized

School, peers, community, sports, television, and online technology all play a part in the socialization of children. For example, while students interact with others at school, they are being socialized into the standards of behaviour required at school, as well as the cultural values, beliefs, and habits that are shared by the members of their society as they relate to school. The same can be said of children’s experiences in their neighbourhood, on sports teams and when children consume mass media. Also, children can be socialized by rituals that draw attention to major transitions or changes in life like a rite of passage.

Describe rites of passage

Rites of passage are rituals or ceremonies which is one of the ways that cultures distinguish themselves. Rites of passage often have a religious component. Rites of passage ceremonies are often organized by parents for their children. In this way, parents pass on the values and beliefs of the culture to their family members.

Provide examples of rites of passage in the Anishnaabe and Sikh cultures.

Anishinaabe: the berry fast is an Anishinaabe rite of passage in which a young woman abstains from any kind of berry for one year. The fast begins during puberty, or when an individual goes from childhood to adulthood. During this fast, elders are guiding the young girls through it.

Sikh: between the ages of 14 and 16, young Sikhs are initiated into the Khalsa. Those who wish to be initiated into the Khalsa must have the five Ks; Kesh (uncut hair; a gift of God to be preserved); Kangha (wooden comb; a sign of cleanliness for the hair and the mind); Kirpan (sword; represents honour, self-respect, and self-defence); Kachera (short trousers as an undergarment; sign of high moral character); Kara (steel bracelet; sign of unity in the Khalsa community)

Describe the 3 main parenting styles

Authoritarian – An authoritarian parent attempts to control a child’s behaviour and attitudes, stressing the importance of obedience to authority and discouraging discussion. Parents who use this method often rely upon punishment, which may include spanking.

Authoritative – An authoritative parent operates on the belief that both the child and the parent have certain rights and that the needs are important. An authoritative parent is more likely to control her or his child by setting rules and explaining why these rules are important and why they must be followed.

Permissive – A permissive parent exercises minimal control. Children of permissive parents are allowed to set their boundaries. Permissive parents generally do not demand the same levels of behaviour as authoritarian and authoritative parents. There are two types of permissive parenting; overindulgence and detachment. With overindulgence, parents will excessively pamper and give in to the demands of their children. With detachment, parents are not emotionally present or involved in the lives of their children.

Explain Bowlby’s theory on attachment parenting.

A child who has his or her first relationship with a caring, loving parent is more likely to develop a mental representation of himself or herself as lovable, and attachment figures as responsive and available. When the attachment relationship is harmed by abuse or neglect, the child views the world and the people in it as unpredictable and unreliable. Bowlby's theory emphasizes an emotional attachment between the child and the caregiver, similar to a physical connection. For example, replacing a standard stroller with a baby carrier represents a stronger emotional bond. Bowlby believes that such secure emotional attachments are essential for children's healthy psychological development.