CHAPTER 15 - Family and Relationships
52 Questions
4 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What do sociologists primarily focus on regarding families?

  • Cultural norms and their significance (correct)
  • History of family law in the United States
  • Statistical patterns of family behaviors
  • Economic impacts of family structures

David Popenoe’s arguments regarding family changes since 1960 suggest what about these changes?

  • They have led to an increase in overall family happiness.
  • They have had minimal impact on society.
  • They contribute to social problems like child poverty. (correct)
  • They have resulted in more stable family structures.

What aspect does Judith Stacey criticize in her debate with Popenoe?

  • The importance of nonmarital births.
  • The value of the traditional family structure. (correct)
  • The rise of cohabitation as a family model.
  • The significance of divorce in modern society.

Which of the following correctly describes David Popenoe's view on female-headed households?

<p>They could be harmful to children. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What trends have increased according to Popenoe's view on family evolution?

<p>Divorce rates and cohabitation rates. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which way do sociologists analyze family patterns today?

<p>By comparing modern patterns to historical ones. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the debate between Popenoe and Stacey highlight about societal beliefs regarding families?

<p>A clash between traditional and modern views on family structures. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a pattern studied by sociologists regarding families today?

<p>The patterns of cohabitation and marriage. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role traditionally did the husband assume in the conventional family model?

<p>Breadwinner (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What criticism do functionalist theories of families face?

<p>They justify the division of labor as natural. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Parsons fail to consider in his theories about family structure?

<p>The efficiency of same-sex parenting. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which historical context did Parsons propose his family theories?

<p>In the immediate post–World War II years. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of the nuclear family in industrial societies?

<p>It is often geographically distant from extended kin. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the post-war economy influence family roles according to the content?

<p>Men returned to being the sole breadwinners. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the wife traditionally assume in the conventional family model?

<p>Affective or emotional support provider (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential benefit of viewing family structures in a more contemporary context?

<p>Recognizing diverse family dynamics. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'doing gender' refer to in social contexts?

<p>The socially constructed behaviors based on context (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of illness, how did couples maintain their gender identities according to the study by Emslie and colleagues?

<p>By developing narratives to justify their roles (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do symbolic interactionist studies differ from functionalist traditions in understanding socialization?

<p>They examine how children may guide and influence parents (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What challenge do immigrant and refugee families face in negotiating their roles?

<p>Children having a better understanding of their new environment (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What criticism is directed at the symbolic interactionist perspective on family dynamics?

<p>It ignores the influence of broader societal structures (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way did the analysis of housework change when illness was introduced in couples?

<p>Women still organized housework as cover for their illness (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following aspects is an example of how roles are negotiated in parent-child relationships according to the content?

<p>Parents and children adjusting roles based on familiarity with their context (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do the narratives developed by couples facing illness signify about their relationship dynamics?

<p>They emphasize the active role of individuals in maintaining identity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What has been a widespread model in most industrialized societies until recently?

<p>Male breadwinner model (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which group tends to share housework more equally than heterosexual couples?

<p>Same-sex couples (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do feminist sociologists primarily examine in relation to domestic labor?

<p>The distribution of domestic tasks and leisure time (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What finding is highlighted regarding women's leisure time compared to men's?

<p>Women enjoy less leisure time than men. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which phenomenon within families has received more public attention as a result of feminist advocacy?

<p>Domestic violence (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of domestic labor do some sociologists investigate?

<p>The contribution of unpaid domestic labor to the economy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What has been a significant result of industrialization on family roles?

<p>Sharp distinction between domestic and work realms (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the predominant family structure observed in Scandinavian nations among young adults?

<p>Long-term cohabiting relationships (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

As of 2014, what percentage of births in Iceland occurred outside of marriage?

<p>70 percent (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is considered a primary influence on family structures and relationships according to sociologists?

<p>Social class (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion have contemporary researchers reached regarding racial differences in family organization?

<p>Racial differences are primarily due to social and economic class positions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What argument is challenged by the finding that race and class are historically intertwined?

<p>That racial differences in families are mainly cultural (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does economic and occupational stability affect family formation?

<p>It increases the likelihood of marrying within marriage. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do sociologists view racial differences in family dynamics in relation to social class?

<p>Social class is the primary consideration. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the provided example, how would the family lives of the black doctor and black nurse’s aide likely compare?

<p>They would show similarities primarily due to social class. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of nonmarital births occur in cohabiting unions according to recent studies?

<p>58% (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key concern for policy makers regarding children born to unmarried mothers?

<p>They are more likely to grow up in poverty. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to studies, children born outside of marriage are likely to face which of the following challenges as young adults?

<p>Idleness (neither in school nor employed) (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main argument of Kathryn Edin and Maria Kefalas regarding low-income women who have children out of wedlock?

<p>They prefer single motherhood over marriage. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of growing up in a nonmarital household according to the content?

<p>Higher chances of engaging in sex at younger ages (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of marriage do the interviewed women in Edin and Kefalas's studies have a positive view on?

<p>It is a highly valued social institution. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups did Edin and Kefalas research among for their studies?

<p>Low-income families in urban areas (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What common misconception about single mothers is highlighted in the studies discussed?

<p>Single mothers do not want marriage. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Bacha Posh?

<p>the process - more common in the Middle East - that families raise their daughter as a boy (because they didn't have a son), for several causes like bringing further the family name, accompanying other daughters, participating in education</p> Signup and view all the answers

What term belongs to this definition: husband having two or more spouses

<p>polygyny (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Instrumental family role usually refers to women

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is affective individualism?

<p>the belief in romantic attachment as a basis for contracting marriage ties</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where does primary socialization happen?

<p>family (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Sociology of Families

The sociological study of families looks at how families are defined and structured, considering the roles of different family members and how these roles change over time.

Cultural Norms

These are actions or behaviors that are considered normal or expected within a particular society or social group.

Traditional American Family

This is a term used to refer to the family structure that was considered typical in the 1950s, with a married couple and their children.

Changes in Family Structure

Divorce rates, non-marital births, and cohabitation have increased, while marriage and marital fertility have decreased.

Signup and view all the flashcards

The 'Decline of the Family' Argument

This refers to the argument that changes in family structure, such as higher divorce rates and more single-parent households, are detrimental to society's well-being.

Signup and view all the flashcards

The 'Diversity of Family Forms' Argument

This view argues that the traditional family model is outdated and limiting, and that diverse family forms are just as valid and beneficial.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cohabitation

This term refers to a situation where unmarried couples live together, without being legally wed.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Raising Children in Same-Sex Families

This refers to the practice of raising a child as part of a same-sex couple.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the purpose of marriage?

Marriage is a social arrangement where two adults support each other's emotional well-being.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Why are families important for personality development in industrial societies?

In industrial societies, families play a crucial role in supporting individuals' personalities because they often lack strong ties to their extended families.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What did Parsons think about the nuclear family in industrial society?

Parsons believed that the traditional nuclear family was best suited for the demands of industrial society.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the traditional division of roles in a family?

In the traditional family model, one partner works outside the home while the other takes care of the household and children.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is a criticism of Parsons's view on family roles?

Parsons's theory of family roles was criticized for assuming a natural and unproblematic division of labor between genders.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is a flaw in Parsons's assumption about families?

Parsons's view assumes that a male-female couple is essential for successful child-rearing and efficient households.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What historical context influenced Parsons's theory?

Parsons's theory was influenced by the post-World War II era, where men typically earned more and women returned to traditional roles.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is a contemporary criticism of functionalist theories of families?

Functionalist theories of family are criticized for overlooking the diversity of family structures and the potential for couples to share responsibilities equally.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Social Construction of Gender

The idea that gender roles are not fixed traits but are constantly negotiated and adapted based on social situations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Doing Gender

The ways in which people perform their gender roles in everyday life, even in seemingly mundane tasks like housework.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Symbolic Interactionism

The study of how people interact and create meaning through symbols and language.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Children's Influence on Socialization

The idea that parents are not simply teachers of social norms but are also influenced and shaped by their children.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Socialization in Unfamiliar Contexts

The process of adapting to a new culture and its norms.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Children as Cultural Liaisons

The ability of children who have greater familiarity with a new culture to help their parents navigate it.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Emphasis on Cooperation and Consensus

A criticism of symbolic interactionism, arguing that it oversimplifies the complexities of social interactions and focuses too much on agreement.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Descriptive Nature of Symbolic Interactionism

A critique of symbolic interactionism, stating that it only describes what's happening without explaining why.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Nonmarital Childbearing

The trend of having children outside of marriage.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Economic Disadvantage Theory

The argument that the economic difficulties faced by unmarried mothers contribute to poor outcomes for their children.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Marriage as an Ideal

The belief that many unmarried mothers, even those living in poverty, value marriage but might see it as impractical or detrimental to their current situation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Parenthood Before Marriage

A parenting strategy that emphasizes the importance of providing a stable and supportive family environment, even if it means delaying marriage.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Single-Parent Household Challenge

The common assumption that children raised in single-parent households face greater difficulties than children raised in two-parent households.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Socioeconomic Factors on Families

The study of how economic inequalities influence family structures and outcomes, especially for children born to unmarried mothers.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Scandinavian Family Model

A pattern of long-term cohabitation rather than marriage characterizes Scandinavian countries, where the majority of births occur outside of marriage but within committed relationships.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Social Class and Family Formation

Social class, encompassing education, occupation, and income, plays a significant role in family formation and structure.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Socioeconomic Factors in Family Structure

While some research previously attributed differences in extended family structures to cultural factors, current research emphasizes that social and economic class positions of families often explain these differences.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cultural Explanation for Family Differences

The concept that racial differences in family formation are primarily driven by cultural factors, suggesting that people of the same race, regardless of social class, will have similar family experiences.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Economic Explanation for Family Differences

The idea that economic factors, such as income and social class, are the primary drivers of differences in family formation across racial groups.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sociological Perspective on Family

A research approach focusing on the ways in which social and cultural factors influence family relationships and structures.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Research on Race and Class in Families

A type of research that explores the relationship between race and social class in relation to family life.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Symmetrical Family

The idea that traditional gender roles, with men as breadwinners and women as homemakers, are shifting towards more equal sharing of responsibilities and opportunities.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Gendered Division of Labor

The division of labor between men and women, where men are typically associated with paid work outside the home and women with unpaid domestic work.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Value of Unpaid Domestic Labor

The argument that women's unpaid work, like housework and childcare, contributes significantly to the overall economy, often undervalued and overlooked.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Domestic Violence

Violence that occurs within a family, including physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, often directed at women and children.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Unequal Power Relationships in Families

The unequal power dynamics that often exist within families, where one partner may have more control or decision-making power than the other.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Male and Female Spheres

The idea that society creates and perpetuates distinct roles, behaviors, and expectations for men and women, influencing their opportunities and relationships.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Male Breadwinner Model

The model where men are typically regarded as the primary breadwinners, responsible for earning income to support the family.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Crystallization of Gendered Spheres

The process by which capitalist production led to a clear separation between work and home, with men primarily associated with paid labor and women with unpaid domestic work.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Proportion of Children in Typical American Families

  • 50% of children in the US live in a household with a mother and father, typically from their first marriage.
  • Another 7% live with parents cohabiting but unmarried.
  • 15% live with parents who remarried each other after prior marriages ended.

Family Structures in the US

  • There is no single "typical" family structure in the US today.
  • Family forms are diverse, including single-parent families, stepfamilies, grandparents raising grandchildren, same-sex couples, cohabiting couples, and divorced individuals living together.
  • In 2016, less than 20% of US households consisted of a married couple with children under 18.

Sociologists' Perspectives on Families

  • Sociologists like Popenoe argue families have declined since the 1960s, citing increased divorce, nonmarital births, and cohabitation.
  • Other sociologists, like Stacey, argue the 1950s "traditional" family was flawed and oppressive, and that the "postmodern" family is more adaptable to contemporary needs.
  • There's debate on whether one family structure is "better" for children than another.

Learning Objectives

  • Sociologists define families based on blood ties, marriage, or adoption, forming an economic unit caring for children.
  • Kinship is a related concept linking individuals through blood, marriage, or adoption.
  • Family forms are categorized as orientation (one is born into) and procreation (one creates), with distinctions in residence patterns (matrilocal vs. patrilocal).
  • Polygamy (having multiple spouses) exists; and monogamy (one spouse) is less common worldwide and in modern cultures.

Contemporary Family Perspectives

  • Functionalism sees families as institutions fulfilling societal needs, like primary socialization (teaching norms) and personality stabilization.
  • Symbolic interactionism stresses the dynamic interplay of family members in shaping roles and identities; noting that power dynamics within families frequently change.
  • Feminism critiques traditional family structures highlighting issues such as unequal power dynamics (division of labor), inequality in wealth, abuse, and the social devaluation of women and non-traditional families.

Social Class and American Families

  • Social class significantly influences US family structures.
  • Economic stability and resources affect marriage rates, ability to raise children and education outcomes.
  • Cultural practices vary across different social classes.
  • Wealthier families often more readily emphasize concerted cultivation while working and middle-class families tend to utilize accomplishment of natural growth, in child-rearing, resulting in different outcomes and varying levels of success. Thus racial differences may be rooted in varied levels of economic/social security, rather than cultural differences.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

Week 4 - Chapter 15 PDF

Description

Explore the critical perspectives of sociologists on family structures and evolution in this quiz. It covers arguments by David Popenoe and critiques by Judith Stacey, addressing trends in female-headed households and societal beliefs about family patterns. Test your understanding of current sociological analyses of families.

More Like This

Sociology: The Family Unit
40 questions

Formation of a New Family Unit: Quiz and Flashcards

LuckierCalcite2383 avatar
LuckierCalcite2383
Sociology of Family Dynamics
37 questions

Sociology of Family Dynamics

ReliableDiction avatar
ReliableDiction
Sociology Chapter 8: The Family
17 questions

Sociology Chapter 8: The Family

PatientYttrium avatar
PatientYttrium
Sociology Family Concepts Flashcards
31 questions

Sociology Family Concepts Flashcards

WholesomeVibrance avatar
WholesomeVibrance
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser