FAMILY A family is a social institution that oversees the bearing and raising of children. Is a kinship group that consists of two or more people who consider themselves related by blood, marriage, or adoption. Family of orientation -- family into which a person is born. Family of procreation -- family in which people have or adopt children of their own.

Marriage -- Legally recognized union between two or more people that involves sexual and economic rights and duties and is expected be enduring. Aspects of marriage –Legal –Economic –emotional –sexual –Political

Marriage Patterns Endogamy -- marriage between people of the same social category Exogamy -- marriage between people of different social groups. Monogamy -- marriage form that involves two partners. Hypergamy-- marrying into a higher class

Polygamy -- marriage uniting three or more peoples. Further divided into two: a) Polygyn --marriage uniting one male and two or more females. b) Polyandry -- marriage uniting one female with two or more males. Sweden has the most egalitarian marriage system. There is equality between spouses

Arranged marriages are prevalent where: a) newly weds become part of the extended family b) where wealth is exchanged c) where elders have lots of power

Families of affinity -- people with or without legal or blood relation who feel they belong together and define themselves as family. Extended family -- includes parents, children, also other kin. Also known as consanguine family. Nuclear family-- one or two parents and their children.

Residential Patterns Patrilocality -- married couple live with or near their husbands family Matrilocal --married couple live with or near their wife’s family Neolocal -- married couple lives apart from both spouses families.

Descent -- system of tracing kinship over generations. Patrilineal descent -- trace kinship through males Matrilineal descent -- trace kinship through females. Bilateral descent -- trace kinship through both females and males. All families in the world are patriarchal.

Theoretical Analysis of the Family Structural Functional Analysis The institution of the family performs certain functions: Socialization Regulation of sexual activity through incest taboos. Social placement Material and emotional security

Social Conflict Analysis Family structure promotes inequality through: Property inheritance – perpetuate class inequality Family is generally patriarchal – enhances gender inequality. Endogamous marriages perpetuates racial and ethnic inequality

Social Exchange Theory People enter into social relationships in which they exchange rewards.

Divorce GROUP WORK Discuss the reasons why divorce rate is high in the U.S. Who are the greatest losers in a divorce situations? Why?