The Sociology of the Family Adam Isaiah Green Introduction to Sociology Winter 2013

 nuclear family: is composed of a cohabiting man and woman who maintain a socially approved sexual relationship and have at least one child.  traditional nuclear family: the wife performs free domestic labor while the husband works outside the home for money. This family form is based on a gendered division of labour.

Heteronormativity A set of interrelated ideas about the traditional nuclear family, including: a)the idea that heterosexuality is normal and morally superior to homosexuality b)that heterosexual monogamous marriage is normal and morally superior to any other kind of family arrangement c)that a woman’s natural role in life is to bear children in marriage and do the domestic labor of the household; a man’s natural role is to provide for and protect his family

The Traditional Nuclear Family and New Alternatives legally married  never married singlehood, nonmarital cohabitation with children  voluntary childlessness two-parent  single-parent permanent  divorce, remarriage male primary provider,  egalitarian (dual-career) ultimate authority sexually exclusive  extramarital relationships heterosexual  same-sex relationships, households

The Growing Diversity of Canadian Families,

The Growing Diversity of Canadian Families, (in percent)

FUNCTIONALISM: The Five Functions of Families  Sexual regulation  Economic cooperation  Reproduction  Socialization  Emotional support

Crude Divorce Rate, Canada, Divorces per 1,000 population Year The crude divorce rate is the number of divorces that occur in a year for every 1,000 people in the population.

Crude Marriage Rate, Canada, Marriages per 1,000 population The crude marriage rate is the number of marriages that occur in a year for every 1,000 people in the population.

Rosie “the riveter”

MODE OF PRODUCTION OF HUMAN FAMILIES HUNTING GATHERING SOCIETIES AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES; DOMESTICATION OF ANIMALS

MONOGAMY IS LOVE?

 Marxists assert the primacy of class inequality, especially under capitalism, in creating gender inequality in the family: Class inequality Problem of wealth transmission Economic control Sexual control  But feminists assert the priority of patriarchy over class inequality because patriarchy existed in pre-capitalist and communist societies.

Total Divorce Rate, Canada, Divorces per 1,000 marriages by 30 th anniversary Year

The Five Bases of Marital Satisfaction  Economic forces  Divorce laws  The family life cycle  Housework and childcare  Sex

Family Satisfaction and the Family Life Cycle Family satisfaction (scale 1-5) Men Women

Three Factors Account for Emotional Distress among Children of Divorce  High level of parental conflict  Decline in living standards  Absence of a parent

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE