Introduction to the Sociology of the Family Chapter 1: Relationships, Marriages, and Families Today

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Main Learning Objectives 1. Examine choices in relationships: Agency vs. Structure 2. Discuss elements and types of marriage 3. Define family: does it matter? 4. Answer the question: How and why are marriage and family changing? 5. Discuss theoretical perspectives on M & F

What influences the relationship choices that you make? What influences the relationship choices that you have made and will make in future? – Whether to marry? Who to marry? Whether to have children? When to have children? Whether to have pre-marital sex? Whether to use birth control? Whether to cheat or to divorce? Who to hook up with?

Agency vs. Structure – What determines an individuals behavior? Agency-making individual choices based on free- will Structure-cultural and structural influences operate in the decision making process – How society is organized – Society is patterned

Social forces and Choices Global, structural, cultural, and media influence relationship choices – Globalization Global economic, political and religious factors

Social Structure: How a society is organized – Institutions – Social groups – Statuses – Roles

Institutions The largest elements of society are social institutions. These include: – Family – Economy – Education – Religion – Politics Others include media, medicine, military, and technology. How does religion influence ones relationship choices? How about technology?

Social Groups Two or more people who have a common identity, interact, and form a social relationship. Social groups may be categorized as primary or secondary. – Primary groups are characterized by interaction that is intimate and informal. – Secondary groups are characterized by interaction that is impersonal and formal. What social groups are most important to the choices you make in relationships and mate selection? Do your parents exercise influence in who you might date? How about friends?

Statuses The status we occupy largely define our social identity. The statuses in a family may consist of mother, father, child, sibling, stepparent, and so on.

Roles Every status is associated with many roles, or sets of rights, obligations, and expectations associated with a status. – Social statuses identify who we are; roles identify what we are expected to do. Roles guide our behavior and allow us to predict the behavior of others.

Culture – Beliefs – Values Individualism, collectivism, familism What value system are Americans often identified with?

Media – TV, Internet, Movies, print How does media influence choices we make in relationships. – Mate selection, gender roles, ideas about same sex relationships, staying single, etc. – Is media really that powerful?

The Sociological Imagination The connection between the individual and wider society – Emphasizes how powerful social structure and culture are in influencing personal decisions making I.E: age at first marriage I.E- interracial dating and marriage – What are structural and cultural factors?

Types of Families Family: – Family of Origin – Family of Procreation – Nuclear Family – Extended Family Are pets part of the family?

Elements of Marriage Marriage – Legal Contract – Emotional Relationship – Sexual Monogamy – Legal Responsibility for Children – Announcement /Ceremony

Types of Marriage Polygyny – 1 husband and 2+ wives Polyandry – 1 wife and 2+ husbands Pantogamy – Group marriage Polyamory – Two lovers do not forbid one another from having other lovers

The Changing Family How did families function prior to the industrial revolution? How have families changed since the 1950’s? – Size, gender roles, etc? Are these changes a result of personal choices or structural/cultural factors?

The Industrial Revolution and Family Change Dual-income family Urbanization The demise of familism and the rise of individualism

Changes in the Last Half Century (1950- today) More people staying single for longer Gender roles High rates of Divorce Familism versus individualism Homosexuality High rates of single parent families High rates of cohabitation

Are the changes that have occurred in the family since the 1950’s positive or negative? – Do certain political or religious groups voice their opinions on this topic? Gay marriage? Rise in singlehood? Dual earner families? Gender roles? Divorce rates? Cohabitation?

Differing Perspectives on the Changing family Marriage resilience perspective- the view that changes in the institution of marriage are not indicative of a decline and do not have negative effects.

Theory A theory is a set of statements that explains why a particular phenomena happens – Theories can be viewed as tools or lenses through which individuals view society and, in this case, the family. – Theories differ

Theoretical Frameworks for Marriage and the Family Structural-Functional – Views the family as an institution with values, norms, and activities meant to provide stability for the larger society. What functions does the family perform?

Theoretical Frameworks for Marriage and the Family Conflict – Recognizes that family members have different goals and values that result in conflict.

Conflict theory sees family problems as problems stemming from the larger society rather than from individual shortcomings. It looks at structures in society and how those structures support people in society unequally. Social Class and Power – For conflict theorists, families perpetuate social stratification. High-income families have greater wealth and power that they can pass on to the next generation. – Conflict theorists see society not as cooperative, but as a system of inequality in which different groups are vying for resources. – Conflict theory specifically brings to light the plight of the poor in society.

Theoretical Frameworks for Marriage and the Family Social Exchange – Individuals seek to maximize their benefits and minimize their costs.

Theoretical Frameworks for Marriage and the Family Feminist – Women and men will experience life differently because there are different expectations for the respective genders. Are you a feminist?

There are several types of feminism. Any person, male or female, who believes that both sexes should have equal political, educational, economic, and other rights is a feminist. Whether they want to be labeled as such is up to the individual. At the core of feminist perspective is the issue of gender inequality, both at home and in the workplace. The emphasis for feminists is social change.

Theoretical Frameworks for Marriage and the Family Symbolic Interaction – The process of interpersonal interaction. Why do many children develop a negative self concept of themselves?