Chapter 11 Families and Intimate Relationships Families in Global Perspective Theoretical Perspectives on Families Developing Intimate Relationships and Establishing Families Child-Related Family Issues and Parenting Transition and Problems in Families Family Issues in the Future

What Is A Family? Relationships in which people live together with commitment, form an economic unit and care for any young. Families regulate sexual activity, socialize children, and provide affection and companionship for family members.

Marriage A legally recognized arrangement between two or more individuals that carries certain rights and obligations. Monogamy is the only form of marriage sanctioned by law in the United States. Establishes a system of descent so that kinship can be determined.

Functionalist Perspective Four key functions of families: 1. Sexual regulation 2. Socialization 3. Economic and psychological support for members 4. Provision of social status and reputation.

Conflict Perspective Families in capitalist economies are similar to workers in a factory: Women are dominated at home the same way workers are dominated in factories. Reproduction of children and care for family members at home reinforce the subordination of women through unpaid labor.

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective How family problems are perceived and defined depends on: Patterns of communication. The meanings people give to roles and events. Individual interpretations of family interactions.

Postmodern Perspective Families are diverse and fragmented. Boundaries between workplace and home are blurred. Family problems are related to cyberspace and consumerism in an age characterized by high- tech “haves’ and “have-nots.”

Why People Get Married Being "in love." Desiring companionship and sex. Wanting to have children. Social pressure. Attempting to escape from their parents' home. Believing they will have greater resources.

Deciding to Have Children The desire not to have children conflicts with society's bias, which assumes having children is the norm. About 6.4 million women become pregnant each year in the United States. 44% of pregnancies are intended while 56% are unintended.

Teen Pregnancies Many sexually active teenagers do not use contraceptives. Some teen males believe that females should be responsible for contraception. Some teens see pregnancy as a way to gain adult status.

Single Parenting About 42% of white children and 86% of African American children will spend part of their childhood in a single parent household. Lesbian and gay parents are often counted in studies as single parents, however many share parenting with partner.

Two-Parent Households Parenthood in the United States is idealized, especially for women. Children in two-parent families are not guaranteed a happy childhood simply because both parents reside in the same household.

Remaining Single Men: About 42% of African American, 36% of Latinos, and 24% of whites over 18 have never married. Women: About 37% of African Americans, 24% of Latinas and 17% of whites over 18 have never married.

The Contemporary Life Course Infancy and Childhood Adolescence Young adulthood (to age 39) Middle Adulthood (40-65)

The Contemporary Life Course Late adulthood generally begins at age 65. Young-old (65-74) Old-old (75-85) Oldest-old (over 85)

Family Violence Spouse abuse refers to physical, emotional, or sexual acts that causes injury to a spouse. Studies have found that physical violence is more common among family members than in any other groups of people.

Characteristics of Those Likely to Get Divorced Marriage at an early age. A short acquaintanceship before marriage. Disapproval of the marriage by relatives and friends. Limited economic resources.

Characteristics of Those Likely to Get Divorced Having a high-school education or less. Parents who are divorced or have unhappy marriages. The presence of children at the beginning of the marriage.

Remarriage 1/2 of all persons who divorce before age 35 will remarry within three years. At all ages, more men than women remarry and often relatively soon after divorce. Women with a college degree and without children are less likely to remarry.