The Family in Cross-Cultural Perspective

Social Institution A social institution is a system of statuses, roles, values, and norms organized to satisfy one or more of the society’s basic needs. What are some examples of other institutions? The most universal social institution is the family; all societies organize their members into families. Family structure varies from culture to culture.

What is a family? A family is a group of people who are related by marriage, blood, or adoption and who often live together and share economic resources.

Family Systems The family you are born into or adopted. Family of orientation Family of procreation The family you are born into or adopted. When an individual gets married and has children.

Family Systems Extended Family: Consists of 2 or more generations. Includes grandparents, parents, children, uncles, aunts, and cousins. Kinship: people who are related by marriage, birth, or adoption.

Marriage & Kinship Patterns Monogamy Polygamy Is the marriage of one man to one woman and vice versa. Marriage with multiple partners.

The Functions of the Family 1. Regulation of sexual activity: All societies do this to some degree. At a minimum, we enforce some kind of incest taboo. 2. Reproduction: To survive, societies need to keep replacing individuals, in society, the family is the approved social unit for reproduction.

Functions continued… 3. Socialization: Children are taught the ways of society and what is expected of them in society via their families. Economic and Emotional Security: Labor and tasks are divided up in the family, some tasks fall to males, some to females. Tasks are also divided within the family based on age.

How common do you think this type of family was in the 1950s? The American Family How common do you think this type of family was in the 1950s?

The American Family How do American Families begin and what disruptions do they face? 2. What are trends in American family life currently being examined by sociologists?

Courtship & Marriage The majority of American adults marry at least once. As of 2000, 56% of men, and 52% of women over the age of 15 were married. Marriage rates are declining, especially among people ages 25-34.

Who do people get married? Marriage, like family, is an institution…it refers to the set of norms that establishes and characterizes the relationship between married individuals. People in the U.S. (and elsewhere) marry because they’re emotionally and physically attracted to one another. The overwhelming majority of Americans marry individuals who have social characteristics—age, socioeconomic status, religion, and race—similar to their own. This kind of marriage is called homogamy.

Who do we marry? In general, Americans marry individuals who are close to them in age, with the husband slightly older than the wife. Most Americans tend to marry someone who is in the same socioeconomic class. Marriage and religion: how common do you think it is for Catholics to marry non-Catholics, or Jews to marry non- Jews?

Homogamy and race Only 2.4% of all marriages are between individuals who are black and white. Interracial marriages are becoming more common. Heterogamy: is marriage between individuals who have different social characteristics.

Family Disruptions Family violence: some sociologists argue that this is the the most-devastating family disruption. Stats: 1 million violent crimes committed each year against an intimate partner. 11 percent of all murders committed are by intimate partners 3.5 million cases of neglect or physical child abuse each year Over 1,500 children die each year due to abuse

Divorce About half of all marriages end in divorce. Effects of divorce: women usually suffer financially, men usually suffer emotionally. Reasons divorces occurs: Laws have made it easier to get Increase in # of dual-earner families Society has become more tolerant of divorce

Family disruptions later in life Empty Nest Death of a spouse

Assignment With a partner (preferably one of the opposite gender) you will create a “Recipe for a successful marriage.” You and your partner must sign and agree to this contract. You must create a list of 5 norms for each of the following categories: Household responsibilities, money, emotional and social needs, family celebrations, raising children, and transportation. You may add any other norms or expectations you may have. Norms: specific rules of conduct that tell people how to act in specific situations.