Questions and Answers
How does the U.S. Census Bureau define family?
As two or more individuals related by blood, marriage or adoption living in the same household.
How do sociologists define family?
A family is defined as a social group whose members are bound by legal, biological, or emotional ties.
What is an extended family?
It is a large group of kin, usually including at least three generations living in one household or close proximity.
Extended families usually include what?
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What is a nuclear family?
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What do structural functionalists believe about family?
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What do conflict theorists believe about family?
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What do symbolic interactionists examine in terms of the family?
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What do feminist and queer theorists explore regarding family?
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What does homogamy mean?
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What is propinquity?
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What does endogamy refer to?
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What does exogamy refer to?
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What is monogamy?
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What is polygamy?
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What is polyamory?
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What has been increasing over the years?
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Mothers still disproportionately receive ____, but there is now a trend towards joint ____
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What is custody?
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What is joint custody?
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What are women more likely to suffer after divorce?
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What are instrumental tasks?
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What are expressive tasks?
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Men and women have always performed different roles to ensure what?
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Men and women's roles for the family were considered unequal after what?
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What jobs do women nowadays have?
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What is the second shift?
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Study Notes
Definitions of Family
- U.S. Census Bureau defines family as two or more individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption living in the same household.
- Sociologists view family as a social group bound by legal, biological, or emotional ties.
Types of Families
- Extended families consist of at least three generations living in one household or close proximity.
- Nuclear family is characterized by a heterosexual couple with one or more children living together.
Sociological Perspectives on Family
- Structural Functionalist perspective sees family as essential for societal stability, fulfilling roles of socializing children, providing economic support, and ensuring emotional well-being.
- Conflict theorists focus on power struggles over resources such as time and energy within families.
- Symbolic interactionists analyze family dynamics and the social constructs surrounding family bonds.
- Feminist and queer theorists investigate how gender and sexual orientation impact family relationships.
Marriage and Relationship Concepts
- Homogamy refers to the tendency for individuals to marry those similar in characteristics like class and race.
- Propinquity indicates that people are more likely to form relationships with those in close geographic proximity.
- Endogamy involves marrying within one’s social group, while exogamy refers to marrying outside of it.
Marriage Systems
- Monogamy is the practice of being married to one person at a time, predominant in Western culture.
- Polygamy allows multiple spouses, typically wives, while polyamory involves multiple-person partnerships.
Trends in Family Structure
- Increase in single individuals, cohabitating pairs, single parents, and those in intentional communities.
- A shift towards joint custody arrangements is emerging, even as mothers remain more likely to receive custody post-divorce.
Custody and Family Responsibilities
- Custody refers to the legal and physical responsibilities for children after parental separation.
- Joint custody allows both parents to care for their children simultaneously after divorce.
Economic and Labor Issues
- Women face downward economic mobility post-divorce more often than men.
- Instrumental tasks include practical chores, while expressive tasks focus on emotional support for family members.
- Gender roles in families became perceived as unequal following the Industrial Revolution.
Modern Family Dynamics
- Women are increasingly managing two jobs: paid employment outside the home and unpaid responsibilities inside.
- The "second shift" concept describes the unpaid labor expected of women after returning from their paid jobs.
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Description
Explore key concepts in sociology related to family and relationships with this flashcard quiz. Learn the definitions and distinctions made by the U.S. Census Bureau and sociologists, as well as the role of extended family. Perfect for sociology students looking to enhance their understanding of family structures.