Sociology Chapter 12 Flashcards

Family Structures and Definitions

• Homogamy refers to marriage between individuals with similar social characteristics, including age, socioeconomic status, religion, and race.
• Patrilineal descent is the practice of tracing kinship through the father’s family, where property is inherited from father to son.
• Nuclear family consists of one or both parents living with their children.
• Family of procreation is the nuclear family formed by an individual, their spouse, and their children.
• Polygyny is a marital arrangement where one man is married to multiple women.
• Matriarchy describes a family structure where the mother holds the primary authority.
• Neolocality is when newly married couples choose to live separately from both sets of parents.
• Family is defined as a group related by marriage, blood, or adoption, sharing economic resources and living together.
• Sandwich generation refers to individuals who are managing the caring responsibilities for both their children and aging parents.
• Incest taboo is a cultural norm that prohibits sexual relations or marriage between specific relatives.
• Extended family includes multiple generations living together or in close proximity.
• Heterogamy denotes marriage between individuals with differing social characteristics.
• Matrilocality involves newly married couples living with or near the wife's parents.
• Family of orientation is the nuclear family a person is born into or adopted by.
• Polyandry is when one woman is married to multiple men.

Functions and Dynamics of Family

• Key functions of the family include regulating sexual activity, reproduction, socialization, and providing economic and emotional security.
• Family violence is prevalent across all social classes, affecting nearly one-third of the population, with women being the primary victims.
• Contributing factors to high divorce rates include simplified legal processes, the rise of dual-income families, greater societal tolerance, and increased expectations of marriage.

Social Trends and Issues

• A significant trend among young people is delaying marriage until their mid to late 20s, often for completing education and establishing careers.
• The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 supports parents in caring for newborns without sacrificing their jobs, promoting work-life balance.
• Concerns arise when mothers work outside the home, particularly regarding potential negative impacts on children. However, studies suggest working mothers' daughters may benefit, showing better self-image and achievements compared to those of nonworking mothers.
• The sandwich generation experiences feelings of overwhelm while managing the demands of both their children and elderly parents.

Test your knowledge with these flashcards from Sociology Chapter 12. Each card features key terms related to family structures and social characteristics. Challenge yourself to remember definitions and concepts like homogamy and nuclear family.