2: Family Theories
- Page ID
- 308789
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 2.1: Family Structures
- This page discusses the evolution of family structures in the U.S. from the early 1900s to today, highlighting a shift from multi-generational households to nuclear and blended families. It defines nuclear families as comprising parents and children, while blended families arise from remarriage. Census data from 2008 indicates that 52% of families are married, with single never marrieds at 30%, showcasing a decline in traditional family forms.
- 2.2: Family Functions
- This page explores the vital functions of families worldwide, including economic and emotional support and socialization. It highlights the regulation of sexuality and reproduction and notes the rise of unwed births. Additionally, it discusses the challenges of managing multiple roles and statuses, defining role strain and role conflict, with an example illustrating a student balancing conflicting responsibilities across various roles.
- 2.3: Groups
- This page discusses sociology's focus on groups as the primary unit of measure, emphasizing their defined nature involving interaction and shared identity. It differentiates between sociological groups and general aggregates of people, highlights the importance of family groups, and addresses how group dynamics change with size through dyads and triads.
- 2.4: Sociological Imagination
- This page emphasizes the limitations of individual perspectives in grasping complex societal issues, highlighting C. Wright Mills' concept of sociological imagination. It differentiates between personal troubles and public issues, illustrating how societal structures influence individual experiences through social facts. Examples include college dropout rates and shifting family dynamics since the Industrial Revolution.
- 2.5: Family Research
- This page discusses the American Sociological Association (ASA) as the largest global sociology organization, focusing on family studies and issues such as teenage childbearing and domestic violence. It highlights the role of the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) in promoting family knowledge and well-being.
- 2.6: Family Culture
- This page discusses how families have both common cultural traits and unique identities, influenced by shared traditions. Successful marriages often require blending these family cultures. It contrasts ethnocentrism, which fosters negative judgments of other cultures, with cultural relativism, which promotes appreciation and understanding of cultural differences, encouraging respect for diversity rather than viewing it as inferior.
- 2.7: Opportunity
- This page explores social class and its effects on life chances, referencing Max Weber's ideas. It emphasizes the role of family background in determining economic status and access to opportunities, using examples like college funding disparities. It suggests that while family history can influence personal challenges, individuals are not bound to repeat these patterns. Recognizing these trends can foster greater awareness of personal circumstances.
- 2.8: Demography
- This page discusses the influence of demographic changes, particularly from the post-World War II Baby Boom, on U.S. family structures. It highlights increased marriage and birth rates, along with rising divorce rates during this period. The Baby Boom Generation, impacting nearly 78 million Americans, has shaped societal norms and family dynamics affecting later generations.