Chapter 9 Family and Household

Chapter Outline What is the family? What is the difference between family and household? What are some of the challenges of family and household organization?

Family In 1950, 60% of all U.S. households conformed to the nuclear family model. Today, only 26% of U.S. households conform to the independent nuclear family ideal. In the U.S. 28% of women have experienced domestic violence, and 10 are killed by their batterers every day.

Diagram: Independent Nuclear Family

Functions of the Family Nurturance of children. Economic cooperation. Provide child with models from whom they can learn gender appropriate roles.

Definition of the Family A group composed of a woman and her dependent children, with at least one adult man joined through marriage or blood relationship. In most societies, families constitute households or households are built around families.

Households Basic residential units that implement: Economic production Consumption Inheritance Child rearing Shelter

Five Basic Residence Patterns Patrilocal Matrilocal Ambilocal Neolocal Avunculocal

Diagram: Patrilocal Extended Family

Diagram: Avunculocal Residence

Family Organization and Problems Polygamous families - potential conflict among spouses of the individual to whom they are married. Polyandrous families - older husbands are apt to dominate the younger ones.

Family Organization and Problems Extended families - decisions are made by an older individual whose views may not coincide with those of the younger family members. Nuclear families - husbands and wives must work out their own solutions to the problems of living together and having children.

Female-Headed Households 45% households were nuclear families. 4.7% households were single parent families. 1998 26% households were nuclear families. 18.2% households were single parent families.