1. Chapter 15 The Family

2. The Family as a System
Family Systems Theory
A “whole” consisting of interrelated parts
Each affects and is affected by the others
Nuclear family: mother, father, children
Extended family household
Ecological systems approach
Family as system within a system
Family as a changing system

3. Figure A model of the relationship among family economic stress, patterns of parenting, and adolescent adjustment.
Figure 15.2

4. More Family Diversity
More single adults, empty nesters included
Postponed marriage
Decline in child-bearing
More divorce, remarriages
Reconstituted families
More single-parent families, child poverty
More multigenerational (beanpole) families
Fewer caregivers for aging adults

5. Trends
Decline of marriage and family
Negative effects
Divorce, single parent family, poverty
Purpose of marriage debate
Meet emotional needs of adults?
Raise children?
Postponed marriage improves success rate
More equality of sexes in family roles

6. Infancy: Relationships
Fathers are capable of sensitive parenting
A more playful parent role
Mothers spend more time with them
Divorce means less fathering
Fathers warmth and affection promotes
Social competence, achievement
Fewer psychological disorders
Indirect effects: how parents get along

7. Parenting Styles
Two dimensions of parenting
Acceptance/Responsiveness (AC)
Demandingness/Control (DC)
Baumrind’s parenting types
Authoritarian: AC=high, DC=low
Authoritative: AC=high, DC=high
Permissive: AC=low, DC=high
Neglectful: AC=low, DC=low

8. Figure The acceptance/responsiveness and demandingness/control dimensions of parenting. Which combination best describes your parents’ approach?
Figure 15.1

9. Outcomes of Parenting Styles
Children of authoritative parents
Adjusted, responsible, high achievement
Children of authoritarian parents
Moody, unhappy, aimless
Children of permissive parents
Low: self-control, independence, achievers
Children of neglectful/uninvolved parents
Behavior problems, antisocial

11. Effects of Social Class
Lower-class parents
Stress obedience to authority
Restrictive and authoritarian
Use reasoning less
Show less warmth/affection
Middle-class parents
Stress individual initiative, achievement

12. Models of Influence on Family
Parent effects model
Parental influence and style important
Child effects model
Nature of child stressed
Transactional model
Reciprocal influences

13. Sibling Relationships
Firstborn stress at new sibling
Temporary behavior problems
Sibling rivalry
Less conflict by adolescence
Typically ambivalent about sibling
Overall, mostly positive effects of having a sibling
Emotional support, teacher to younger

14. The Adolescent
Close relationships with parents
Conflicts mostly over minor issues
Change in balance of power
Authoritative parent most effective
Autonomy, independence achieved

15. Establishing Marriage and Family
90% of adults choose to marry in the US
Honeymoon: happy but short
Problems: Loss of enthusiasm
Usually exist beforehand
Negativity common
New parenthood
Stressful, joyful
Coping skills, resources important

16. Child Rearing and Launching
A heavier workload
More stress
Marital happiness declines
Best if both parents share home workload
The empty nest
Marital happiness increases after the children leave home

17. Grandparenthood
Average age: 47
Grand-parenting styles
Remote (29%): distant
Companionate (55%): frequent enjoyable visits
Involved (16%): child care, advise, like substitute parents
Most find it gratifying
Parent/grandparent relationship important

18. Marriage Relationships
Marriage brings stability
Happier, healthier, than nonmarrieds
Lonelier if divorced or widowed
Better off financially
Widowhood: by age 65
73% men still living with their wives
59% women widowed or living alone

19. Sibling and Parent-Child Relationships
Siblings: longest lasting relationship we have
If close in childhood, also when adult
Not close in childhood, not close as adults
Parent-child remain close
Modified extended family
Caring for aging parents
“Middle generation squeeze”
Filial responsibility common

21. Diversity in Family Life
Cohabitation: on the rise
Higher divorce rate
Childless married couples
Marital satisfaction higher
Dual-career families: spillover effects
Both positive and negative
Gay and lesbian families: more egalitarian
Children generally well adjusted

22. Divorce
High-risk couples
married 7 years
Teen-age marriages, short courtship
Pregnant before marriage
Low SES
Post-divorce crisis
1-2 years
At risk for depression

23. Children of Divorce
Often angry, fearful, depressed, or guilty
Custodial mother overwhelmed
Behavior problems
Peer relationships suffer/change
Sometimes negative effects are lasting
1-2 year adjustment

24. Family Violence
Child abuse: much unreported
Sexual abuse
Spouse abuse
Most common worldwide
Elder abuse and neglect
Cognitive impairment a risk factor

25. The Abuser
Typical child abuser
Young, single, poor, unemployed mother
Cycle of abuse
Often a battered woman
Low self-esteem
Unrealistic expectations

26. The Abused
Target child
Hyperactive, difficult
Often disabled or sickly
Parent feels powerless
Parent feels threatened

27. The Context of Abuse
Life changes
Poverty
A violent society
Lack of social support

28. Effects of Family Violence
Physical damage to abused
Brain damage – shaken baby syndrome
Child behavior problems common
Social and cognitive skills deficient
Academic problems common
Lack of normal empathy – young children
Emotional development disturbed
Problematic for normal development