1. Families and Intimate Relationships Chapter 9 1

2. The big issues What do sociologists mean by family? What have families looked like across time and space? What are current trend in families in the United States and around the world? What are alternatives to traditional families? 2

3. What is “the family”? The family is a critical social institution that functions as part of society. The family is also a distinct social group with its own roles, patterns, and behaviors. Family is a cultural universal, though its structure varies across time and space. A family is two or more people who consider themselves related by blood, marriage, or adoption 3

4. Family concepts Kinship Marriage Nuclear versus extended family: When we think about nuclear and extended families, we are talking about with whom we actually live. A nuclear family is made up an adult and or adult couple, and their children. An extended family is one that goes beyond those two generations or that includes, aunts, uncles, cousins, and so on. Family of orientation versus procreation Monogamy versus polygamy 4

5. Family concepts Family of orientation versus procreation Family of orientation is the nuclear family we are born into, our parents and siblings. Family of procreation is the family we create by marrying and becoming partners. Monogamy versus polygamy (polygamy: in which a man may be married to more than one woman at the same time, and polyandry: in which a woman may have two or more husbands simultaneously). 5

6. Patrilineal children taking the surname of the father. matrilineal surnames, and often property, pass down the female line. 6

7. matrilocal - the newly weds settle in an area close to where the bride's parents live Patrilocal - the couple lives near or with the groom's parents 7

8. Changes in families worldwide The spread of Western culture appears to be affecting families around the globe. – Example: increased attention to romantic love In some countries there have been systematic efforts by governments to alter family size and structure. Rural-urban migration has led to a change in family structure. Worldwide shift toward the nuclear family model 8

9. Seven important global trends 1.Declining influence of clans and kin groups 2.Increasing freedom of mate selection 3.Expanding rights for women 4.Fewer kin marriages 9

10. Seven important global trends 5. Increasing degree of sexual freedom 6. Declining birthrates 7. Increasing room for children’s rights 10

11. Trends in U.S. families today Rising age at first marriage Increasing numbers of people living alone Sharp rise in cohabitation Increasing numbers of single-parent and stepparent families Ongoing high rate of divorce Sharp rise in dual-earner families 11

12. Families in poverty Poor families, especially poor black families (USA), adapt by creating extensive kin and quasi-kin networks. For poor, young women there is typically high value placed on having and raising children. 12

13. After divorce Women and children often experience a significant decline in economic status. Men often experience an improved financial situation. The majority of divorced individuals will remarry. 13

14. Effects on children There is disagreement on this topic among scholars of divorce and family. Some research—which is mostly psychological in nature—suggests that a period of initial trauma followed by adjustment is the norm. 14

15. Effects on children Other research suggests that there continue to be deficits in some outcomes. – Education – Occupation – Future marital success The cause of these differences appears to be economic and social. 15

16. Why so much divorce? Perhaps just as many people were in unhappy, difficult, and maybe even violent marriages before that time, but the barriers to divorce were too high. As divorce became easier to obtain and more common, it also lost a great deal of the social stigma once attached to it. Declining stigma Less connection to extended family obligations or to property between families Women’s economic independence Unrealistic expectations plus an easy escape hatch 16

17. Risk factors for divorce Which of these increase one’s risk of divorce? Which decrease risk? 1.Married at a young age (under age 21) 2.Have divorced parents 3.Lived with your romantic partner prior to marrying 4.Have been divorced at least once 5.Had a child prior to marrying 6.Have a childless marriage 7.Knew your partner for a short time prior to marrying 8.Experience fi nancial hardship 9.Have less than a college degree 10.You and your partner are similar with respect to social class background, age, and religion 11.You or your partner is depressed 12.You or your partner frequently drinks alcoholic beverages 13.You fear disapproval from family and friends 14.You believe married people should stay together “for the sake of the kids” 17

18. Risk factors for divorce IF YOU CHECKED YES: Married at a young age (under age 21)Increase risk Have divorced parentsIncrease risk Lived with your romantic partner prior to marryingIncrease risk Have been divorced at least onceIncrease risk Had a child prior to marryingIncrease risk Have a childless marriageIncrease risk Knew your partner for a short time prior to marryingIncrease risk Experience financial hardshipIncrease risk Have less than a college degreeIncrease risk You and your partner are similar with respect to Social class background, age, and religionDecrease risk You or your partner is depressedIncrease risk You or your partner frequently drinks alcoholic BeveragesIncrease risk You fear disapproval from family and friends Decrease risk You believe married people should stay together “for the sake of the kids”Decrease risk 18

19. Figure 11.5 Number of Single-Parent Families, in Millions Essentials Of Sociology, 3rd Edition Copyright © 2011 W.W. Norton & Company

20. Single-parent families Approximately half of children in the United States spend of part of childhood in single-parent families. These families are nearly always headed by women. For most, though, single parenting is related to divorce or factors related to poverty and deprivation. 20

21. Figure 11.6 Increases in Cohabitation Essentials Of Sociology, 3rd Edition Copyright © 2011 W.W. Norton & Company

22. Cohabitation About 50 percent of you will cohabit prior to marriage (USA). Cohabitation is now understood as a stage in the relationship process preceding marriage. The main reason people give for cohabitation is to ensure future compatibility. Interestingly, statistics show that those who cohabit prior to marriage are more likely t o divorce. 22

23. Gay-parent families Despite ongoing dissent, there is slow movement toward acceptance of gay marriage and gay parenting. This shift is taking place globally: the Netherlands, Norway, Canada, Uruguay, the United Kingdom, and others have already legalized either civil unions or gay marriages. In the United States, only Florida prevents gay couples from adopting children. 23