Sociology: The Family Unit

Questions and Answers

What is the primary definition of a family?

A group of individuals intimately related, supporting and maintaining each other socially, economically, and emotionally.

What type of family consists of a father, mother, and their child/children?

Nuclear Family

What term is used to describe a family formed when one or both parents have exited a previous union and formed a new one with each other?

Blended/Reorganized Family

What is the primary purpose of courtship in the context of forming a family?

To develop proper relationship attitudes and learn about one's partner. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe a family where both parents are absent, and the elder siblings take care of the younger siblings?

Sibling Family Signup and view all the answers

What is the addition to the nuclear family where grandparents/aunts/uncles live together?

Extended Family Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of winning the love of another person in the context of forming a family?

Courtship Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of defining different types of families?

It highlights the diversity and complexity of family structures, and emphasizes the importance of understanding and appreciating these differences. Signup and view all the answers

What is a legal marriage according to the text?

A lawfully recognized union between two partners, traditionally a man and a woman. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common-law union?

A union where a man and woman decide to live under one roof as husband and wife without first undergoing a religious and/or legal marriage ceremony. Signup and view all the answers

What is a visiting relationship according to the text?

A relationship where the partners are not married and do not share the same residence, and one partner visits the other at intervals. Signup and view all the answers

What is polygamy?

Having multiple partners at a time. Signup and view all the answers

What is polygyny?

Where one man has two or more wives. Signup and view all the answers

What is polyandry?

Where one woman has two or more husbands. Signup and view all the answers

What is bigamy?

Where someone marries another person while a previous marriage still exists. Signup and view all the answers

What are some common problems that can lead to divorce?

Financial problems, abuse, neglect, loneliness, interference, youthful marriage, and infidelity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of family planning in relation to the size of a family?

To properly plan for the size of their family Signup and view all the answers

What sparked the change in traditional family roles in society?

The change in women's status in society, particularly during World War Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the birth control options mentioned in the text?

Abstinence, condoms, birth control pills, vasectomy, spermicides, cervical cap, tubal ligation, and hysterectomy Signup and view all the answers

How has the increase in both men and women holding jobs outside of the home affected family dynamics?

It has led to the need for childcare/day-care centers, indicating a shift in traditional caregiving roles Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a married couple living with the husband's parents?

Patrilocal Signup and view all the answers

What role did women typically have in the past, according to the text?

One expected role in society Signup and view all the answers

What advancements in medical science have contributed to changes in family roles?

The development of the condom and birth control Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the family as a unit of procreation?

To sustain the population of a community, society, country, etc. Signup and view all the answers

How has the introduction of television and other leisure activities affected family dynamics in the Caribbean?

It has led to a decline in traditional storytelling and more individualized leisure activities Signup and view all the answers

How do parents contribute to the education of their children?

By laying the foundation and providing opportunities for education Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the increased use of video games, cellphones, and other mobile devices on family dynamics?

A reduction in outdoor games and parent-and-child activities Signup and view all the answers

What is the economic function of the family?

To provide economic security in the form of food, clothing, shelter, medicine, books, and recreation Signup and view all the answers

What is the social/psychological/emotional function of the family?

To provide love, affection, and security Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the family in cultural transmission?

To pass culture from one generation to the next Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the family as a unit of socialization?

To teach social skills, disciplines, and roles Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the essential preparations for parents to avoid conflicts and be effective in their roles?

Creating a peaceful environment Signup and view all the answers

What were some of the key inequalities faced by women in the U.S. before the women's movement?

Lower wages, less representation in certain occupations such as law, medicine, and politics, and the traditional view of a woman's place in society. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the maternity protection laws implemented as a result of the women's movement?

To remove discrimination of women in the workplace, providing maternity leave with pay, protection from dismissal due to pregnancy, and the right to return to jobs after maternity leave. Signup and view all the answers

How did the changing roles of women in the family affect men's identity?

Men's identity was challenged as they were no longer the sole breadwinner, leading to an identity crisis. Signup and view all the answers

What is marginalization, and how did it relate to men in the context of changing family roles?

Marginalization is when something or someone moves from a central position to the edges, and with more women in leadership positions, men's 'natural ability' to lead was questioned. Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact on traditional mother and caregiver roles as more women entered the workforce?

The traditional role as mother and caregiver was challenged, especially when women had to send their children to someone else to be looked after. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key findings about women's performance in education according to studies?

Women were consistently better performers at every level of education. Signup and view all the answers

How did the women's movement challenge traditional views of women's place in society?

The movement pushed against the traditional view that women should remain at home, be inferior, and subservient to men. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the consequences of women's changing roles in the family?

An identity crisis for men, as they were no longer the sole breadwinner. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Defining Family

A family is a group of individuals intimately related, supporting and maintaining each other socially, economically, and emotionally.

Types of Families

Nuclear Family: consists of a father, mother, and their child/children, considered the "ideal" family type.
Single-parent Family: consists of a father or mother and their child/children, where the other parent/spouse is no longer present.
Sibling Family: both parents are absent, and the elder siblings take care of the younger siblings.
Blended/Reorganized Family: formed when one or both parents have exited a previous union and formed a new one with each other, leading to half-siblings and step-siblings.
Extended Family: an addition to the nuclear family where grandparents/aunts/uncles live together.

Family Formation

Courtship is the first sign of building a family, typically involving developing proper relationship attitudes and learning about each other.
Marriage is a type of union, traditionally between a man and a woman, where they share a residence and are lawfully recognized.

Kinship Terms

Monogamy: marriage between one partner to the other.
Polygamy: having multiple partners at a time.
Polygyny: where one man has two or more wives.
Polyandry: where one woman has two or more husbands.
Bigamy: where someone marries another person while a previous marriage still exists.
Patrilocal: husband and wife live with the husband's parents.
Matrilocal: the couple lives with the wife's parents.
Neolocal: the married couple live together by themselves.
Patriarchal: father is the head of the household.
Matriarchal: mother is the head of the household.
Equalitarian: equal sharing of authority between both parents.

Functions of the Family

Unit of Procreation: the family serves as a way to sustain the population of a community, society, country, etc.
Agent of Education: parents provide opportunities for education and contribute to the informal education of children.
Economic Unit: parents provide economic security in the form of food, clothing, shelter, medicine, books, and recreation.
Social/Psychological/Emotional Unit: the family provides love, affection, and security.
Unit of Cultural Transmission: the family passes culture from one generation to the next.
Unit of Socialization: socialization is the process where persons learn certain disciplines such as punctuality, respect, industry, social roles, and skills.

Preparing for Parenthood

Good parents need to:
- Create a peaceful environment.
- Be healthy and drug-free.
- Pursue education to secure employment.
- Be knowledgeable of and practice one's religion.
- Build emotional strength and intelligence.
- Learn child psychology.
- Learn time management.

Family Planning

Family planning allows partners to plan for the size of their family, typically through birth control options such as:
- Abstinence.
- Condoms.
- Birth control pills.
- Vasectomy.
- Spermicides.
- Cervical cap.
- Tubal ligation.
- Hysterectomy.

Changing Roles in the Family

Changes in women's status in society led to changes in traditional family roles.
Women's rights movements and advancements in medical science have given families control over the number of children they bear.
Increased availability of educational opportunities and childcare/day-care centers have led to changes in family roles.
Changes in traditional roles have affected the identity of individuals, particularly men.

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