1. A Sociology of the Family1
A Sociology of the Family
Laura MacIntyre

2. A Sociology of the Family

3. A Sociology of the Family: Genealogy
Longtime interest in the study of ancestry, family history, and its origins

4. A Sociology of the Family: Genealogy Definition
The study of ancestry and family history
Searching for family links and connections, both genetic and symbolic
Family connections can be very important, even when the genetic link is small or absent.
Even symbolic connections can become important.
Examples of symbolic forms of families (robot dogs, virtual apps, dogs as members of the household, etc.)
Examples of recent stories of DNA technology impacting the meaning of family (picture and story of Vy Higginsen and Marion West, Derrell Teat, etc.)

5. Defining Families
Picture from textbook of Hannah Rocklein and her family
Adopted when as a toddler from a Russian orphanage
Example of a complex, contemporary blended family

6. Defining Families: Families
Definitions of family are varied and complex.
Different criteria used for different reasons and occasions (biological, legal, emotional, etc.)
Different people have different definitions.

7. Defining Families: Families Definition
Groups of related people, bound by connections that are biological, legal, or emotional
There is not a single definition of family
This is the simplest, working definition used by the author of this text
Family connections can be biological or nonbiological, formal or informal, and so on.
Many different varieties and types of families and family connections
Not everyone agrees over which biological, legal, and emotional connections create family ties.
Usually includes a level of expectation of care or commitment between members
Implies a level of caring
Also includes various degrees of power and authority
For example, family members are allowed to use certain degrees of corporal punishment, whereas nonfamily members cannot.

8. Defining Families: Personal Family
The Personal Family
The author uses several types of definitions: the personal family, the legal family, and the family as an institutional arena.
Each definition useful for different circumstances
Combined, each type of definition makes up the sociological approach to families.
Looking at the same phenomenon (the family) from different angles and approaches
The personal family is based on a personal understanding of the concept of related.
Allows for the inclusion of stepchildren, stepparents, informal and formal adoptions, and so on.
Definition encompasses the idea of blended families (Chapter 10) and changes in personal perception of family

9. Defining Families: Personal Family Definition
The Personal Family
Personal Family
The people to whom we feel related and who we expect to define us as members of their family as well
How individuals define their own families
General definition, but not exclusive
This type of definition does not exclude certain family types.
We recognize family members even before we are able to define them as such.
“I can’t define it, but I know it when I see it”
There is no agreement on one, single definition of the family.
Families can vary in size, from large extended compounds to single individuals.
Families do not necessarily have to be biological.
The label family usually includes expectations of care or commitment.
The family forms the basis for formal and informal social obligations.
Family relations contain both formal and informal authority.
This initial definition will be separated into three types by the author in the text: the personal family, the legal family, and the institutional family.

10. Defining Families: The Legal Family
The Personal Family
The Legal Family

11. Defining Families: Legal Family
The Personal Family
The Legal Family
Legal Family
No universal legal definitions, but legal implications vary
Carries with it many rights and responsibilities overseen by the government
Implications for the distribution of resources

12. Defining Families: Legal Family Definition
The Personal Family
The Legal Family
Legal Family
A group of individuals related by birth, marriage, or adoption
State-imposed legal definition (state refers to government at all levels)
This definition seems straightforward, but its meaning may be contested.
In fact, all of the words in the definition can be contested.
Most contested word is marriage
Same-sex marriage is an especially controversial contemporary topic.

13. Defining Families: As an Institutional Arena
The Personal Family
The Legal Family
The Family as an Institutional Arena
Institutional arena is more of a sociological approach to definition of families
Does not provide a concrete definition, but rather suggests a useful framework to identify the ways in which families are defined.
The following four abstract terms are used in the text to explain the family as an institutional arena: institutional arena, family arena, state, and market.

14. Defining Families: Institutional Arena
The Personal Family
The Legal Family
The Family as an Institutional Arena
Institutional Arena
Sociological definition focuses on the family as “the place where family matters take place”
This is the institutional arena – not a physical space with physical boundaries, but rather a social place where interactions occur.
Rules may be different from one place to another and may be informal.
Rules in this arena evolve over time.

15. Defining Families: Institutional Arena Definition
The Personal Family
The Legal Family
The Family as an Institutional Arena
Institutional Arena
A social space in which relations between people in common positions are governed by accepted rules of interaction
In this arena, people occupy certain positions (father, child, sister, etc.).
There are formal and (mostly) informal rules of interaction.
Family rules include obligations and privileges (parents are expected to provide for children, children are expected to obey parents, etc.).
There are three types of institutional arenas: the family, the state, and the market.

16. Defining Families: Family Arena
The Personal Family
The Legal Family
The Family as an Institutional Arena
Family Arena
The family arena is where people practice intimacy, childbearing and socialization, and caring work.

17. Defining Families: Family Arena Definition
The Personal Family
The Legal Family
The Family as an Institutional Arena
Family Arena
The institutional arena where people practice intimacy, childbearing and socialization, and caring work
Not everyone fits into family roles exactly as they may be defined.
Conformity and nonconformity serve to reinforce the rules of this arena.

18. Defining Families: State
The Personal Family
The Legal Family
The Family as an Institutional Arena
State
State includes many different organizations filled with people in many different roles.

19. Defining Families: State Definition
The Personal Family
The Legal Family
The Family as an Institutional Arena
State
The institutional arena where, through political means, behavior is legally regulated, violence is controlled, and resources are redistributed
The regulation of behaviors is established through laws and policies.
Enforced with use of violence or threat
Regulates families (marriage licenses, divorce petitions, etc.)
Redistributing resources according to family relations

20. Defining Families: Market
The Personal Family
The Legal Family
The Family as an Institutional Arena
Market
The state has direct interactions with the market (the third institutional arena).

21. Defining Families: Market Definition
The Personal Family
The Legal Family
The Family as an Institutional Arena
Market
The institutional arena where labor for pay, economic exchange, and wealth accumulation take place
Decisions made in this arena directly affect family life, family relationships, and future family decisions

22. Defining Families: Modern Institutional Arenas
These are the key features of the three institutional arenas.
This table is a good way to summarize three organizing components: type of interaction, organizational units, and individual roles.

23. The Story behind the Numbers: Market, State, Family
This depicts the intersection of the three institutional arenas: the family, the market, and the state.
The roles of individuals within the family are influenced by the other two arenas.
This is a major concept or theme throughout the textbook.
The goods and services available in the market, combined with the services and policies of the government, all impact the most personal and important decisions individuals make about family life.

24. The Story behind the Numbers: Day Care
This is an example where the institutional arena of the state intersects with the institutional arena of family.
For example, many individuals decide to get married as a stage in the creation of their family.
Getting married is a very personal decision.
However, the laws and regulations of the state determine who can and cannot get married.

25. The Story behind the Numbers: Marriage Licenses
This is an example where the institutional arena of the family intersects with the institutional arenas of both the state and the market.
All three arenas overlap in the welfare system, as poor individuals must use policies and programs created by the government in order to provide goods and services for their families.
Often these government programs and policies are in place to fill a need in the market.
For example, government-supported child-care programs are available to some parents who cannot afford the equivalent in the marketplace.

26. The Story behind the Numbers: Welfare
This is an example where the institutional arena of the market intersects with the institutional arena of family.
Many working parents need child-care services outside of the home.
The market provides these services (day care, private schools, latchkey services, etc.).
Parents must make decisions about who will take care of their children when they are at work and how much they will spend to procure this service.
Consequences result from this decision.
If the costs of child care are too prohibitive, a parent may decide to use the (unpaid) services of a relative or find other employment arrangements (including unemployment).
What is available (and affordable) in the market will have a strong influence on important decisions the family will make.

27. How the U.S. Census Counts Families
A nationwide census to count the population has been conducted every 10 years since 1790.

28. How the U.S. Census Counts Families: Census
A periodic count of people in a population and their characteristics, usually performed as an official government function
The U.S. Census has a long history and can provide a historical record about one of the ways in which the family has been defined
Sociologists can look at the ways in which the government counts people and examine its specific definitions
This can give us a look at how commonly accepted roles and identities are developed (Coontz).
It also highlights the emergence and importance of individuality and the concept of the individual in modern society.

29. How the U.S. Census Counts Families: Household
The census only recorded the name of the “head” of the household until 1840.
Other members in the home were counted under this person.
Slaves were included as family members, but were only counted as three-fifths of a person.
In 1840, individuals started to be recorded separately (not including slaves), but still listed under a family “head.”

30. How the U.S. Census Counts Families: Household Definition
A group of people that lives and eats separately from other groups
The term household was changed in 1840 to accommodate the growing urban areas where many families started living in the same building.
Households became a group of people who shared meals and a common eating area.

31. How the U.S. Census Counts Families: Census Family
What Is a Census Family?
The Census Bureau uses the legal definition of family but also includes the stipulation that the family must live within one household only.
This is different than the personal or legal definition of the family.
One person can actually be the member of many families, according to all the definitions.
The census definition is very specific, and each person can only be counted in one place.

32. The Family in Sociological Theory
There are many different and (sometimes) conflicting sociological theories to explain families and changes in family relationships.
A range of theories and perspectives
A way to apply a pattern to facts
A way to structure subject matter and come to a broader understanding of social life
Different theories work better for different questions
Most sociologists do not use just one theory, especially in family research (Taylor & Bagdi, 2005).

33. The Family in Sociological Theory: Perspectives
Broad Perspectives
There are two main broad perspectives with long, complex histories: the consensus perspective and the conflict perspective.

34. The Family in Sociological Theory: Consensus
Broad Perspectives
Consensus
The consensus perspective became dominant in American sociology around the mid-twentieth century with the work of Talcott Parsons.
Operated under the premise that consensus and harmony form the basis of society

35. The Family in Sociological Theory: Consensus Perspective
Broad Perspectives
Consensus
Consensus perspective: a perspective that projects an image of society as the collective expression of shared norms and values
Order is essential to social life.
Social change functions best when it takes place in an organized, orderly way.
There is a focus on stability rather than change.
Change happens but is to be avoided.
It is assumed that there is a good reason for things to be the way they are.
The dominant sociological consensus theory is structural functionalism, with its basis in the work of Émile Durkheim.
Few sociologists identify as structural functionalists today.
Key elements remain influential.

36. The Family in Sociological Theory: Breadwinner-Homemaker Family
Broad Perspectives
Consensus
Breadwinner-homemaker family: an employed father, a nonemployed mother, and their children
The dominant family structure in American family life in the 1950s
Talcott Parsons and other structural functionalists interpreted this as the essential way the family should be.
The role of husband as breadwinner and wife as homemaker were complementary and in “harmony.”
Maintaining the balance of these roles was crucial to safeguarding the institution of the family.
The family in this configuration provided society with stability, harmony and cooperation.
Men and women performed complementary roles that were separate but equally necessary.
Structural functionalism used the nuclear breadwinner-homemaker family as both a model and an ideal.

37. The Family in Sociological Theory: Conflict
Broad Perspectives
Consensus
Conflict
Conflict perspectives provided a criticism of structural functionalism and pointed out its biases.
Saw consensus perspectives as rationalizing the status quo, serving a conservative political agenda, and justifying existing unequal power structures

38. The Family in Sociological Theory: Conflict Perspective
Broad Perspectives
Consensus
Conflict
Conflict perspective: the view that opposition and conflict define a given society and are necessary for social evolution
Historically opposed the position of the consensus perspective and developed in opposition to the dominance of structural functionalism
Draws from the work of Karl Marx and the belief that the dynamic of inequality and conflict propel history
Competing interests can and will disagree.
Conflict over difference can create positive change.
Change and conflict do not threaten social stability.
In family studies, conflict theorists focus on the competing interests of family members to understand family issues.
There is an emphasis on opposition and power struggles.

39. The Family in Sociological Theory: Theories
Broad Perspectives
Contemporary Theories
A new group of theories about the family in response to the decline of the breadwinner-homemaker model and growing family diversity

40. The Family in Sociological Theory: Feminism
Broad Perspectives
Contemporary Theories
Feminism
Feminism part of the conflict perspective tradition
Shares many views with conflict theorists
Critical about the breadwinner-homemaker family model
Seeks goal of reducing gender inequality
Three important contributions of feminism to family theories
Gender inequality is central to family life.
Family structure is socially constructed.
Gender theory perspectives are not all the same.

41. The Family in Sociological Theory: Feminist Theory
Broad Perspectives
Contemporary Theories
Feminism
Feminist theory: a theory that seeks to understand and ultimately reduce inequality between men and women
Seeks to understand and reduce inequality between men and women
The male dominance in families in a part of the wider system of male dominance in society (Ferree).
Male dominance is not natural, biological, or inevitable.
Male dominance occurs at a cost to women.
Gender inequality is central to family life.
The family arena is where gender roles are learned and formed.
Gender roles are created unequal.
Male gender roles occupy dominant positions.

42. The Family in Sociological Theory: Socialization
Broad Perspectives
Contemporary Theories
Feminism
Socialization: the process by which individuals internalize elements of the social structure in their own personalities
The process of (gender) socialization is where boys learn to be boys and girls learn to be girls.
Family dynamics affect other institutional arenas.
The family is only one site of gender socialization and gender inequality.
Feminism also argues that family structure is socially constructed, the product of human choices and not biological imperatives.
And not all feminist perspectives of families are the same; there have been historical changes in the feminist position and differences between different theorists.

43. The Family in Sociological Theory: Exchange
Broad Perspectives
Contemporary Theories
Feminism
Exchange
Exchange theory is more in line with the consensus perspective.
Offers a more positive interpretation about the unequal partnerships between men and women

44. The Family in Sociological Theory: Exchange Theory
Broad Perspectives
Contemporary Theories
Feminism
Exchange
Exchange theory: the theory that individuals or groups with different resources, strengths, and weaknesses enter into mutual relationships to maximize their own gains
Individuals are seen as rational.
Men and women consider the costs and benefits of their actions and are rational and deliberate.
Individuals have personal strengths and weaknesses.
Individuals cannot provide for all of their own needs on their own, so they must exchange with others.
As long as the exchange relationship is rewarding to both parties, both sides will continue the relationship.
Either party may leave or disengage if the rewards of the exchange are not satisfactory and the cost of leaving is not high.
Aligns with the consensus tradition because it assumes that the social “contract” is mutual and agreed upon
In the family, the husband and wife perform separate and different roles, and this “exchange” benefits the marriage and the family.
In this perspective, the division of housework is a major subject.
This perspective is criticized because it presumes that resources between men and women are equal.

45. The Family in Sociological Theory: Symbolic Interaction
Broad Perspectives
Contemporary Theories
Feminism
Exchange
Symbolic Interaction
Symbolic interaction is a contemporary sociological theory that developed in the early twentieth century
It underscores the concept that theorists need to study the behavior of individuals in order to understand what things mean to people.

46. The Family in Sociological Theory: Symbolic Interactionism
Broad Perspectives
Contemporary Theories
Feminism
Exchange
Symbolic Interaction
Symbolic interactionism: a theory concerned with the ability of humans to see themselves through the eyes of others and to enact social roles based on others’ expectations
Symbolic interactionism assumes that individuals see themselves through the eyes of others and act according to the expectations of others.
Sociologists need to look at what people do, as opposed to what people say about what things mean to them.
Social roles are much like symbols, and actions form the basis for understanding.
Meaning can only be understood by studying the action of individuals.
A sense of self and identity is formed through our actions and the reactions we receive from others.
Symbolic interactionism is very useful for studying social change, but is not strictly coming from the conflict perspective.
The study of micro-interactions also makes this perspective ideal for studying family roles and behavior within the family.

47. The Family in Sociological Theory: Modernity
Broad Perspectives
Contemporary Theories
Feminism
Exchange
Symbolic Interaction
Modernity
Refers to a specific historical period: eighteenth-century Enlightenment–present
A broad, expansive philosophical and historical theory

48. The Family in Sociological Theory: Modernity Theory
Contemporary Theories
Feminism
Exchange
Symbolic Interaction
Modernity
Modernity theory: a theory of the historical emergence of the individual as an actor in society and how individuality changed personal and institutional relations
In regard to family studies, the focus is on the social construction of individuality, individualism, and the emergence of the individual as a social actor at this time period.
In the state arena, the “modern” individual is socially constructed as a “citizen” with personal rights.
In the market arena, the individual becomes a worker and a consumer.
In the family arena, the individual becomes a social actor with free will and the ability to make choices about family relations and family life
For the first time, personal taste and choice have become institutionalized and are expected of individuals
Modernity theorists identify two periods of the modern era: first modernity and second modernity.

49. The Family in Sociological Theory: First Modernity
Broad Perspectives
Contemporary Theories
Feminism
Exchange
Symbolic Interaction
Modernity
First Modernity
First modernity – up until the 1960s
Gradual, incremental changes in family behavior
Society still maintained the concept of the “normal” family as a social standard.
Family diversity existed but was not as acceptable as it is now.

50. The Family in Sociological Theory: Second Modernity
Broad Perspectives
Contemporary Theories
Feminism
Exchange
Symbolic Interaction
Modernity
First Modernity
Second Modernity
Second modernity – since the 1970s
The focus is on the person as an individual, not as a member of a family or kinship group.
Diversity and individuality are the new “norm.”
Acting as an individual (in the family) is not only supported, but required by other institutions (state, market, etc.).
As a result, changes in these institutions occurred.

51. The Family in Sociological Theory: Family Wage
Broad Perspectives
Contemporary Theories
Feminism
Exchange
Symbolic Interaction
Modernity
Family wage: the amount necessary for a male earner to provide subsistence for his wife and children without having them work for pay.
For example, most employers do not consider it necessary to pay a family wage to male workers to support a wife and children (as in the past).
Leads to fragmentation of family identities
Puts a larger financial, emotional, and psychological burden on individuals
Can contribute to greater isolation and lack of direction, but can also create the possibility for greater intimacy and fulfillment
Individuals now free from the constraints of earlier, premodern traditions

52. The Family in Sociological Theory: Demography
Broad Perspectives
Contemporary Theories
Feminism
Exchange
Symbolic Interaction
Modernity
Demography and the Life Course
Two additional perspectives that supplement consensus, conflict, and contemporary theories: demographic and life course perspectives

53. The Family in Sociological Theory: Demographic Perspective
Contemporary Theories
Feminism
Exchange
Symbolic Interaction
Modernity
Demography and the Life Course
Demographic perspective: the study of how family behavior and household structures contribute to larger population processes
Demography: the study of populations
The study of the family in relation to larger population processes
Focuses on birth, death, and migration
Especially interested in childbirth
But must look at these things in context, hence an emphasis on the timing of life events

54. The Family in Sociological Theory: Life Course Perspective
Contemporary Theories
Feminism
Exchange
Symbolic Interaction
Modernity
Demography and the Life Course
Life course perspective: the study of the family trajectories of individuals and groups as they progress through their lives, in social and historical context
Study of the progression from childhood to adulthood, looking for patterns and what is “normal”
Traditional “normal” progression used to include marriage and then parenthood
Sequences of family events now more diverse and complicated
Goal is to place family events in historical context

55. The Family in Sociological Theory: Cohort
Contemporary Theories
Feminism
Exchange
Symbolic Interaction
Modernity
Demography and the Life Course
Cohort: a group of people who experience an event together at the same point in time
Using cohorts helps put life events in historical context.
Researchers can compare the correlation of historical events with family progress.

56. Studying Families
Theories make sense of facts, but how do sociologists come up with data?
Common methods for gathering information
Common sources of data include surveys, in-depth interviews and observation, and time use studies.

57. Studying Families: Bias
Gathering data can be done anywhere and from any source, but there are challenges to each method.
One of the biggest obstacles in social science is the possibility of bias.

58. Studying Families: Bias Definition
The tendency to impose previously held views on the collection and interpretation of facts
There are many sources of bias.
Cannot be eliminated completely
Transparency in the research process, peer review, and published results help mitigate bias.

59. Studying Families: Sample Surveys
The most common method for gathering data in sociology
Looking for a connection between an interrelated sequence of events

60. Studying Families: Sample Survey Definition
Sample Surveys
Sample Survey
A research method in which identical questions are asked of many different people and their answers are gathered into one large data file.
Asking people information about their lives and opinions from a representative pool
Random selection is preferred for effective results.
Many ways to produce error or skew results
Sample surveys are effective when we can use them to predict individual behavior.

61. Studying Families: Longitudinal Surveys
Sample Surveys
Longitudinal Surveys
A research method in which the same people are interviewed repeatedly over a period of time
Longitudinal surveys allow researchers to track people’s answers over time.
Can be useful for studying social change

62. Studying Families: Up Documentary
The Up British documentary series (partially created by Michael Apted) on Granada television
Began in 1964 when the subjects were 7 years old and revisits them every 7 years.
The subjects were picked to represent different socioeconomic backgrounds.
The central premise was that a child’s class status determined his or her future.
The show was built around the motto, “Give me a child until he is seven and I will give you the man.”
56 Up is the latest installment.

63. Studying Families: Interviews and Observation
Sample Surveys
In-Depth Interviews and Observation
Sample surveys need to rely on certain assumptions because of the nature of the methodology
Sample survey answers may be superficial.
In-depth interviews and observation can get to a deeper understanding in some cases.
Smaller number of respondents, but longer interviews
Direct observation can study interpersonal dynamics and the subtleties of daily life.

64. Studying Families: Time Use Studies
Sample Surveys
In-Depth Interviews and Observation
Time Use Studies
Most of family life informal without a formal record of daily activities
Time use studies produce a more detailed account of what goes on in family life.

65. Studying Families: Time Use Studies Definition
Sample Surveys
In-Depth Interviews and Observation
Time Use Studies
Surveys that collect data on how people spend their time during a sample period, such as a single day or week
Researchers can collect detailed data on how family members spend their time.
Can include the use of surveys about time use
Can also include time diary studies
Especially valuable in the study of work and families

66. Class Activity: Time Use Study
Classroom activity
Have students create a personal time diary and record how they spend their time within a 24-hour period (complete a time diary).
Instructors may allow students to merely keep a detailed account or provide a template for each student to fill out.
At the very least, students should record what they were doing, where they were, and who they were with for every 15 minutes in a 24-hour period.
Have students use this data to estimate how much time they spend per week on housework.
Students should fill out their time diaries and make housework calculations before class and then bring them to a specified class period.
Have each student answer the following clicker question so that everyone can see the overall results for the class.
Point out to students that recent time diary studies have shown that most men spend just 10 hours per week on housework; women spend approximately 16 hours per week (Bianchi et al., 2012).
How do students in the class compare to these numbers?
After all the clicker questions have been answered as a class, have students divide into small groups to compare individual results (optional).
Instructors may also decide to have students save and revisit this information when they are covering Chapter 11 and the topic of work and family is explored in greater depth.

67. Class Activity Question
How much time per week do you spend on housework?
none
less than 10 hours per week
between 10 and 16 hours per week
more than 16 hours per week
Classroom activity clicker question
Have students answer this question and share the aggregate results with the class.

68. Moving On
This concludes a brief overview of concepts, sociological theory, and methods of data collecting.
This can be used as a foundation for the rest of the chapters.

69. Review Question 1
1. The granting of marriage licenses is an example of which institutional arenas interacting?
state and family
state and market
family and market
religion and family
Answer: A
Feedback: Legal marriage as a family form is regulated by the state. The government determines who is able to marry.

70. Review Question 2
2. According to conflict theories, who benefits from family structures where women stay home and men work for pay?
women and children
children and old people
men and employers
women and employers
Answer: C
Feedback: Conflict theorists contend that when women stay home and take care of the home and children (clean, prepare meals, shop, do care work), men are able to focus on work. Men can then earn more money and employers benefit because their employees are able to focus on work.

71. Review Question 3
3. Rosa thinks of her mother’s best friend, Maria, as her aunt and Maria treats Rosa as her niece. According to your textbook, Rosa and Maria could be labeled a
legal family.
personal family.
nuclear family.
extended family,
Answer: B
Feedback: The broad definition of family allows individuals to determine who they include in their definition of family. This may be a broader definition than the government uses (“two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption”).

72. Review Question 4
4. According to recent feminist family theorists, which statement is true?
Family types are biologically determined and rarely change.
What’s good for some women is good for all women.
Men and women have very similar experiences of family life.
Family types are socially constructed.
Answer: D
Feedback: Feminist theories acknowledge the diversity of family forms and the roles and relationships of individuals within families. Historical and comparative research shows the changes in families over time and the differences that exist from culture to culture and within a single society at a given time.

73. Review Question 5
5. Which theory sees people as individuals entering into mutual relationships in order to maximize their own gains?
exchange theory
feminist theory
conflict theory
symbolic interaction theory
Answer: A
Feedback: Exchange theory sees individuals and groups as having different strengths and weaknesses. People are viewed as rational, and they form relationships in order to get what they need or to maximize their own gains. As long as both people get what they want or need, they remain in the relationship.

74. 6. For the purposes of the contemporary Census, a family
Review Question 6
6. For the purposes of the contemporary Census, a family
must occupy the same household.
may occupy several households.
includes a man and his family.
includes unmarried partners.
Answer: A
Feedback: For the sake of practicality, the government limits each family to one household. It is easy to imagine how difficult it would be to collect data if the guidelines included extended families who live in different households.

75. 7. The demographic perspective in family studies focus most on
Review Question 7
7. The demographic perspective in family studies focus most on
economics in family life.
family and household structures.
politics in family life.
psychological stressors among family members.
Answer: B
Feedback: Demographers conduct research to understand how family behavior and household structures contribute to larger population processes like birth, death, and migration.

76. This concludes the Lecture Slide Set for Chapter 1by
Philip Cohen
© 2014 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
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