Sociology Family and Relationships

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?

At least three generations living either in one household or in close proximity. Signup and view all the answers

What is a nuclear family?

A heterosexual couple with one or more children living in a single household. Signup and view all the answers

What do structural functionalists believe about family?

Family is one of the basic institutions that keeps society running smoothly by providing various functions. Signup and view all the answers

What do conflict theorists believe about family?

They believe that society revolves around conflict over scarce resources, including within family dynamics. Signup and view all the answers

What do symbolic interactionists examine in terms of the family?

They examine the social dynamics and interactions that create and sustain families. Signup and view all the answers

What do feminist and queer theorists explore regarding family?

They examine how assumptions about gender and sexuality affect family relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What does homogamy mean?

It means 'like marries like' and describes the tendency to choose mates similar in various social categories. Signup and view all the answers

What is propinquity?

It is the tendency to marry or have relationships with people in close geographic proximity. Signup and view all the answers

What does endogamy refer to?

Marriage to someone within one's social group. Signup and view all the answers

What does exogamy refer to?

Marriage to someone from a different social group. Signup and view all the answers

What is monogamy?

The practice of marrying (or being in a relationship with) one person at a time. Signup and view all the answers

What is polygamy?

A system of marriage that allows having more than one spouse at a time. Signup and view all the answers

What is polyamory?

A system of multiple-person partnership. Signup and view all the answers

What has been increasing over the years?

Single people, people who are cohabitating, single parents, and people living in intentional communities. Signup and view all the answers

Mothers still disproportionately receive , but there is now a trend towards joint

custody Signup and view all the answers

What is custody?

Physical and legal responsibility for children, assigned by a court. Signup and view all the answers

What is joint custody?

Parents take care of the child at the same time while divorced. Signup and view all the answers

What are women more likely to suffer after divorce?

Downward economic mobility. Signup and view all the answers

What are instrumental tasks?

Practical physical tasks necessary to maintain family life. Signup and view all the answers

What are expressive tasks?

Emotional work necessary to support family members. Signup and view all the answers

Men and women have always performed different roles to ensure what?

The survival of their families. Signup and view all the answers

Men and women's roles for the family were considered unequal after what?

The Industrial Revolution. Signup and view all the answers

What jobs do women nowadays have?

Paid labor outside the home and unpaid labor inside the home. Signup and view all the answers

What is the second shift?

Unpaid labor inside the home that is often expected of women after they get home from paid labor. Signup and view all the answers

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.