Marriage & Family Chapter 1

Questions and Answers

What is marriage?

An informal agreement.

A temporary arrangement.

A personal commitment without any legal implications.

A legal contract signed by a couple with the state in which they reside. (correct)

What is Common Law Marriage?

A heterosexual cohabiting couple presenting themselves as married.

What is Polygamy?

The generic term for marriage to more than one spouse at the same time.

What is Polygyny?

A form of marriage in which men have more than one wife. Signup and view all the answers

What is Polyandry?

A type of marriage in which one wife has one or more husbands. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a Nuclear Family?

Consists of you, your parents, and your siblings, and may include your spouse and children. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Blended Family?

A family created when two individuals marry and at least one of them brings a child or children from a previous relationship or marriage. Signup and view all the answers

What is Familism?

A philosophy where decisions are made for the benefit of the family as a whole. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflects a Dual-Earner Family?

A family where both spouses work outside the home. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the changes families have seen over the last few decades.

Changes in gender roles, acceptance of diverse sexual orientations, reduced stigma associated with divorce, technological support for relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the Feminist Framework in marriage and family?

Viewing marriage and family as contexts of inequality and oppression for women. Signup and view all the answers

What do we aim to uncover through scientific research on marriage and family issues?

To better understand marital dynamics and family relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What is a theoretical perspective?

A set of interrelated principles designed to explain a particular phenomenon. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Marriage Concepts

Marriage: A legal contract regulating a couple's economic and sexual relationship.
Common Law Marriage: Recognizes cohabiting heterosexual couples as married without formal registration.
Marriage Benefits: Married individuals often report better health, happiness, longevity, and lower substance abuse compared to singles.

Types of Marriage

Polygamy: General term for marriage involving more than one spouse.
Polygyny: A specific form of polygamy where one man has multiple wives.
Polyandry: A marriage form in which one woman has multiple husbands.
Pantagamy: A group marriage where all members are married to each other.

Family Structures

Family: Comprises two or more individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption.
Transnational Family: A family where the mother and child reside in a different country from the father.
Civil Union: Legal partnership providing rights and privileges similar to marriage.
Domestic Partnership: Official recognition for cohabiting couples to access benefits.
Family of Orientation: The family into which one is born, often referred to as the family of origin.
Family of Procreation: The family created by having or adopting children.

Family Types

Nuclear Family: Includes parents and their children living together.
Traditional Family: A two-parent household with defined gender roles (husband as provider, wife as homemaker).
Modern Family: A dual-income household where both parents work.
Postmodern Family: Recognizes diverse structures including same-sex couples and single-parent families.
Binuclear Family: Family where members live in two separate households.
Blended Family: Formed when individuals with children from previous relationships marry.
Extended Family: Nuclear family plus other relatives like grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

Philosophies

Familism: Prioritizing family needs over individual desires in decision-making.
Individualism: Making decisions based on individual preferences and benefits.

Theoretical Frameworks

Social Exchange Framework: Analyzes relationships in terms of costs and benefits.
Family Life Course Development: Studies stages of change within families over time.
Structural-Functionalist Framework: Considers how families contribute to societal stability.
Conflict Framework: Highlights competition for resources within relationships.
Symbolic Interactionism: Examines how family members create meaning through interactions.
Family Systems Framework: Views familial interactions as structured and governed by norms.
Human Ecology Framework: Regards families as part of larger environmental ecosystems.
Feminist Framework: Focuses on gender inequality within marriage and family structures.

Research Methodologies

Hypothesis: Proposed explanation for a phenomenon.
Longitudinal Research: Studies the same subjects over time.
Cross-Sectional Research: Examines a population at one point in time.

Family Changes Over Time

Shift in gender roles, acceptance of diverse sexual orientations, reduced stigma surrounding divorce, and the legalization of same-sex marriage have evolved family dynamics since the 1950s.

Decision-Making Factors

Non-decisions are defaults; actions must follow choices, and past choices shouldn't limit future ones.
Effective decision-making includes evaluating issues, exploring alternatives, and considering consequences.

Scientific Research in Family Studies

Research is vital for understanding and resolving marriage and family issues.
Steps include formulating a research topic, reviewing existing literature, setting hypotheses, choosing methodologies, securing ethical approvals, and data analysis.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

The IRB ensures proposed research adheres to ethical standards before data collection begins.

Description

Test your understanding of key concepts from Chapter 1 of Marriage & Family. This quiz covers essential terms such as marriage, common law marriage, and the benefits associated with being married. Perfect for students looking to review their knowledge.