Sociology Flashcards

Nuclear Family:

• Definition: A two-generation family unit consisting of a father, mother, and their dependent children.

Theorist - Talcott Parsons:

• Theory: Functional Fit Theory

• Description: Argued that the nuclear family best fits the needs of modern industrial societies.

Contemporary Examples:

• TV Shows: "The Simpsons" or "Modern Family" portray typical nuclear family dynamics.

Extended Family:

• Definition: A family that extends beyond the nuclear family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Theorists - Willmott and Young:

• Theory: The Symmetrical Family

• Description: Suggested that family roles are becoming more equal.

Contemporary Examples:

• Cultural Variations: Extended families common in many Asian cultures.

Family Diversity:

• Recognition: Acknowledgment of various family types beyond the nuclear and extended family.

Theorist - Charles Murray:

• Theory: The Underclass Theory

• Description: Argued that certain family types lead to poverty and social problems.

Contemporary Examples:

• Types: Same-sex families, single-parent families, blended families, cohabiting couples.

Functions of the Family:

• Roles: Reproduction, socialization, economic support, emotional support.

Theorist - George Murdock:

• Theory: Four essential functions of the family: sexual, reproductive, educational, economic.

Contemporary Examples:

• Support: Families providing emotional support during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Roles in the Family:

• Divisions: Instrumental (providing) and expressive (nurturing) roles.

Theorist - Ann Oakley:

• Critique: Criticized Parsons for overlooking the importance of women's roles.

Contemporary Examples:

• Shifts: Changes in gender roles, more men taking on caregiving responsibilities.

Personal Life Perspective:

• Focus: Emphasizes individuals' subjective experiences within families.

Theorist - Carol Smart:

• Perspective: Studying families from the perspective of individual experiences.

Contemporary Examples:

• Studies: Impact of divorce on children's emotional well-being.

Postmodernism and the Family:

• View: Family structures as diverse, fragmented, and fluid.

Theorist - Zygmunt Bauman:

• Concept: "Liquid Modernity," discussing unstable social institutions like families.

Contemporary Examples:

• Trend: Rising rates of cohabitation without marriage, challenging traditional structures.

Theories:

Functionalism:

• View: Society as a system of interrelated parts maintaining stability.

Theorist - Talcott Parsons:

• Emphasis: Structural Functionalism, family's role in socialization.

Contemporary Examples:

• Observation: Family's role in reproducing cultural values, norms.

Marxism:

• View: Family as maintaining inequality, serving ruling class interests.

Theorist - Friedrich Engels:

• Concept: Origin of the Family, Private Property, State, linking family to private property.

Contemporary Examples:

• Critique: Nuclear family seen as perpetuating capitalism, consumerism.

Feminism:

• Focus: Unequal power relations between men and women in family, society.

Theorist - Kate Millett:

• Critique: Patriarchal nature of family in "Sexual Politics."

Contemporary Examples:

• Studies: Gender pay gap impact on family dynamics.

These flashcards cover key concepts, theorists, contemporary examples, and theories related to "Families & Households." You can use them for studying and reviewing the topic. Let me know if you need more or if there's anything else I can help with!

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My apologies for that oversight! Here are the remaining flashcards based on your study list for "Families & Households":

New Right:

• Emphasis: Traditional family structures for social stability.

Theorist - Charles Murray:

• Advocacy: Traditional family values, critique of welfare policies.

Contemporary Examples:

• Debate: Government policies supporting or not supporting traditional family structures.

Changing Patterns:

Changes in Marriage and Divorce:

• Trends: Reasons, impact on family life, society.

Theorist - Anthony Giddens:

• Work: The Transformation of Intimacy, changing personal relationships.

Contemporary Examples:

• Shift: Rising rates of cohabitation before marriage, changing attitudes toward divorce.

Birth Rates and Fertility:

• Trends: Reasons for changes.

Theorist - Sarah Harper:

• Research: Impact of changing birth rates on aging population.

Contemporary Examples:

• Factors: Decline in birth rates in developed countries due to economic factors, social norms.

Childhood:

• Construction: Social construction of childhood, changes in experience.

Theorist - Philippe Ariès:

• Work: "Centuries of Childhood," historical changes in perception.

Contemporary Examples:

• Debates: Children's rights, impact of technology on childhood experiences.

Aging Population:

• Impact: On family structures, social policies for elderly.

Theorist - Peter Laslett:

• Research: Changing roles of elderly in society.

Contemporary Examples:

• Focus: Sustainability of pension systems in aging societies.

Social Policies:

Policies Supporting Families:

• Inclusions: Child benefits, parental leave, family tax credits.

Contemporary Examples:

• Program: UK's Tax-Free Childcare scheme for working families.

Policies Supporting Children:

• Involvement: Education policies, child protection laws.

Contemporary Examples:

• Initiative: Child protection services safeguarding from abuse, neglect.

Policies Supporting the Elderly:

• Inclusions: Pension schemes, healthcare policies.

Contemporary Examples:

• Implementation: Japan's Long-Term Care Insurance system for aging population.

Critiques of Policies:

• Evaluation: Effectiveness, unintended consequences, inequalities.

Contemporary Examples:

• Debate: Critiques of austerity measures impacting welfare support.

Beliefs in Society:

Definitions:

Religion:

• Definition: System of beliefs, symbols, practices addressing the sacred.

Theorist - Emile Durkheim:

• Definition: Religion as unified system of beliefs, practices.

Contemporary Examples:

• Variety: Global religious practices such as Buddhism, Islam, Christianity.

Secularization:

• Definition: Decline in significance, influence of religion in society.

Theorist - Steve Bruce:

• Defense: "Secularization: In Defence of an Unfashionable Theory."

Contemporary Examples:

• Evidence: Decline in church attendance, religious affiliation in West.

Cults:

• Description: Small, unconventional religious groups with unique beliefs.

Theorist - Roy Wallis:

• Work: "The Road to Total Freedom," characteristics of cults.

Contemporary Examples:

• Movement: New religious movements like Scientology, Heaven's Gate.

Sects:

• Description: Religious groups breaking away from larger organizations.

Theorist - Ernst Troeltsch:

• Analysis: Origins, characteristics of religious sects.

Contemporary Examples:

• Examples: Amish, Jehovah's Witnesses as Protestant sects.

Theories:

Weber's Protestant Ethic:

• Link: Religious beliefs impacting economic behavior, rise of capitalism.

Theorist - Max Weber:

• Concept: Protestant work ethic, capitalism's origins.

Contemporary Examples:

• Impact: Protestant work ethic influencing economic policies.

Postmodernism:

View:

• Perception: Religion as one of many sources of meaning in diverse society.

Theorist - Jean Baudrillard:

• Concept: "The Gulf War Did Not Take Place," questioning reality.

Contemporary Examples:

• Trend: New Age spiritualities, eclectic beliefs in postmodern world.

Religious Organizations:

Churches:

• Description: Large, established religious organizations with formal hierarchies.

Theorist - Max Weber:

• Discussion: Bureaucratic nature of churches in "The Sociology of Religion."

Contemporary Examples:

• Influence: Catholic Church's global presence, organizational structure.

Denominations:

• Description: Subgroups within larger religious tradition, distinct beliefs.

Theorist - Ernst Troeltsch:

• Differentiation: Churches vs. denominations in "The Social Teachings."

Contemporary Examples:

• Varieties: Protestant denominations like Lutheranism, Methodism.

Methods of Studying Religion:

Quantitative Methods:

• Approach: Surveys, statistical analysis.

Examples:

• Survey: Gallup Polls on religious beliefs, practices.

Qualitative Methods:

• Approach: Participant observation, interviews.

Examples:

• Study: Ethnographic research of religious communities.

Ethical Issues:

• Consideration: Confidentiality, informed consent, researcher bias.

Examples:

• Practice: Ensuring anonymity in religious studies research.

Religion in the UK:

• Trends: Religious affiliation, impact on society, politics.

Contemporary Examples:

• Shifts: Rise of secular humanism, decline in Church of England attendance.

Religion in Developing Countries:

• Influence: On development, social change.

Contemporary Examples:

• Role: Religious charities providing education, healthcare.

Religion in Conflict:

• Examples: Religious conflicts, role in conflict resolution.

Contemporary Examples:

• Case: Israeli-Palestinian conflict, interfaith dialogue efforts.

These flashcards cover the remaining topics from your study list for "Families & Households" as well as "Beliefs in Society." They should help you study and review the concepts, theorists, contemporary examples, and theories related to these topics. Let me know if there's anything else I can assist you with!