The Family
Family/Kinship - people related by marriage, blood, or adoption
Nuclear Family - parents and their children; initially, is one’s family of orientation, then family of procreation
Family of Orientation - born or adopted into it
Family of Procreation - spouses and children
Extended Family - 2 or more generations of relatives; including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Marriage and Kindship - see page 263 (graphic)
Explanations/Perspectives of the Family
Functionalist Perspective - the functions of the family are: Regulate sexual activity, Reproduction, Socialize Children, Emotional Security, Economic Security
Regulate Sexual Activity - monogamy/ incest rules
Reproduction - taboo to have children out of wedlock in the old days
Socialize Children - family values and modeling behavior
Economic Security - a consumption-based economy needs money/ some adult kids relying on parents
Conflict Perspective - focuses on dysfunctions: Subordination of Women, Violence/Abuse, Perpetuates Stratification / Cycle of Poverty, Delegitimizes Variant Lifestyles
1.2% of all - marriages are same sex
5% of new marriages in Indiana - a same sex
Interactionist Perspective - focuses on interaction with family: Children socialized by their parents, roles defined over time
Courtship and Marriage
Courtship and Marriage - less parental control; males are reluctant to date those considered “smarter”; majority of Americans marry at least once; based on love, relatively new concept; homogamy still the norm; dual-earner families more common; family violence more likely to be reported now
Majority of Americans marrying at least once is - changing
Based on Love, Relatively New Concept - used to be based on money and religion
Homogamy still the Norm - similar social characteristics
Dual-Earner Families are more Common - Family and Medical Leave Act (maternity leave = 12 weeks)
15-20% of marriages are - mulitracial/ multiethnic
Average cost of a wedding nationally and in Indiana - $33,000 and $23,000
Most marriages take place in - Vegas and New York
Nevada (1), Hawaii (2), and Montana (3) are - the states with the most weddings
Divorce
Divorce rate has - declined
40-45% of marriages - end in divorce
2/3 of second marriages - also end in divorce
Divorce is impacted by - Age, Education, No-Fault Div. Laws, Dual Earners, less Stigma, and Religion
Consequences of Divorce - blended families, single parents, child support, father’s rights, problem children, latchkey children; economic issues
Latchkey children - come home to an empty home
Average cost of Divorce - $11,000
Average Length of Marriage that ends in Divorce - 7 years
States with the highest and lowest divorce rate - high = Alaska; lowest = Vermont
Recent Trends
delay marriage - Average age for Men is 30.2; Average age for Women is 28.5
smaller families - Average household size is 2.5; Average something is 3.13
Delayed childbearing contributes to - sandwich generation issues
childlessness - 71% of adults are living without kids
One-parent households - more common among African American households; more financial stress
latchkey kids
daycare - on average people spend $10,000 on day care in Indiana
Decline of traditional household
remarriage - Blended families
boomerang kids - Adult children coming back to live with parents
same-sex partners
cohabitation
Remaining Single - increasing; 29% of people in the U.S. live alone
Adults 15 and older - 50 % are married; 34% never married; 10% are divorced; 6%are widowed
DINK - Dual Income No Kids
FROM QUIZLET
incest taboo - A cultural norm prohibiting sexual relations or marriage between closely related individuals.
free-range parent - A parent who allows their child a high degree of freedom and independence.
helicopter parent - A parent who is overly involved in the life of their child, often attempting to solve problems for them.
lawnmower parent - A parent who removes obstacles or difficulties from their child's path, 'mowing down' any challenges.
residential patterns - The ways in which families choose to live geographically, such as in single-family homes, apartments, or communal living.
kinship patterns - The social relationships and roles that define the family unit, including blood relations, marriage, and adoption.
marriage patterns - The ways in which individuals in a society form and structure their marital relationships.
3 perspectives of Sociology applied to families - Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Symbolic Interactionism are three sociological perspectives used to analyze families.
no-fault divorce law - Legislation that allows for divorce without the need to prove fault or marital misconduct.
prenuptial agreement - A legal contract signed before marriage that outlines how assets will be divided in the event of divorce.
Obergefell vs. Hodges - A landmark Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage in the United States.
cohabitation - Living together in a romantic relationship without being married.
sandwich generation - Middle-aged adults who are simultaneously caring for their children and aging parents.
blended family - A family unit consisting of a couple and their children from current and previous relationships.