Sociological Perspectives on Family

Sociological Perspectives on Society

• Functionalism: Views society as a system where interconnected parts work together for stability and solidarity.

Theoretical Perspectives on Family

• Conflict Theory: Focuses on competition for limited resources (wealth, power) within society, potentially leading to conflict among different groups (e.g., classes, races, genders).

• Feminist Theory: Highlights gender inequality and its intersection with other social categories (e.g., race, class). Emphasizes women's voices and challenges patriarchal structures.

• Symbolic Interactionism: Examines how individuals construct social reality through shared meanings and daily interactions using symbols (language, gestures). Focuses on individual agency and how actions shape social phenomena.

Family Structures

• Nuclear Family: Parents and one or more children.

• Single-Parent Family: One parent and one or more children.

• Extended Family: Nuclear or single-parent family living with extended family members.

• Same-Sex Family: Two same-sex individuals with or without children.

• Blended Family: A family where one or both parents have children from a previous marriage.

Developmental Clocks

• Chronological Clock: Measures age, defines adulthood by years since birth (e.g., age of majority, legal systems). Ticks at a consistent pace, although life expectancy increases, meaning the clock ticks longer.

• Biological Clock: Measures physical changes as we grow (e.g., sexual maturity, physical development). Appears to have sped up due to better nutrition and health, resulting in earlier sexual maturity.

Transition and History of Adolescence

• Transition: A change from one state to another.

• Pre-industrialization (Pre-1850): Children viewed as workers, part of family's economic unit (especially when social class dictated it). High infant mortality and little emphasis on specific parenting or childhood.

• Industrialization (Late 19th Century): Shift from farming to factories, leading to family's moving to cities. Changes in lifestyle, some children continued working, and children married and left home earlier.

• 20th Century: Labor laws limited children's work, schools became more important, increasing mandatory schooling. Rise of "teenager" demographic.

Mate Selection

• Murstein's Filter Theory: Describes stages or filters in mate selection:

  • Field of Eligibles: Potential partners.
  • Propinquity Filter: Geographic proximity.
  • Attraction Filter: Physical attraction, shared personality traits.
  • Homogamy Filter: Similarity in age, race, education, socioeconomic status, religion.
  • Compatibility Filter: Agreement on temperament, attitudes, values, needs, and roles.
  • Trial Filter: Cohabitation, engagement.
  • Decision Filter: Determines if relationship leads to marriage.

• Courtship: Historical tradition in Britain shifting to dating (1920s-1960s). 1920s-men paid dates, 1930s-dating without marriage-focused. 1950s and 60s, casual dating for recreation.

• Mate Selection Theories: People tend to be attracted to those with similar backgrounds.

• Ideal Mate Theory: People have unconscious standards for ideal partners based on physical features, social aspects, resources, characteristics, and desired traits.

Love Types

• Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love: Defines love through intimacy (emotional closeness), passion (physical attraction), and commitment (decision to stay). Seven love types based on combinations:
  • Liking: Intimacy only.
  • Infatuation: Passion only.
  • Empty Love: Commitment only.
  • Romantic Love: Intimacy + Passion.
  • Companionate Love: Intimacy + Commitment.
  • Fatuous Love: Passion + Commitment.
  • Consummate Love: Intimacy + Passion + Commitment.

Developmental Perspective on Love

• Individuals need a sense of self-identity before forming romantic relationships. Relationship definition of self may occur if prior not established

Evolutionary Psychology & Social Exchange Theory

• Evolutionary Psychology: Women seek partners who can provide for offspring; men prefer partners who can bear and care for healthy children.
• Social Exchange Theory: Individuals seek relationships where their assets and deficits are balanced. Relationships benefit the individuals involved

Functions of Family and Reasons for Divorce

• Functions of Family: Reproduction, caregiving, socialization, behavior control, nurturance, goods production/consumption.
• Reasons for Divorce: Communication issues, infidelity, finances, incompatibility, substance abuse, domestic violence, lack of intimacy, parenting conflicts, mental health issues, cultural or religious differences.

Types of Infidelity

• Emotional Infidelity: Emotional connection/bond outside the relationship.
• Physical Infidelity: Sexual encounters with partners outside the relationship.
• Cyber Infidelity: Online interactions/relationships outside the relationship.

Young Adult Issues & Access to Education

• Young Adult Issues: Leaving home, forming new relationships, finishing education, finding employment.
• Access to Education: Lower-income students often face higher education debt; tuition increases.

Historical Perspectives on Marriage

• An Historical Look at Marriage: Recognition of offspring, family role as economic unit before being primarily based on love.