Introduction to the Sociology of the Family Chapter 1: Relationships, Marriages, and Families Today

Main Learning Objectives 1. Examine choices in relationships: Agency vs. Structure 2. Discuss elements and types of marriage 3. Define family: does it matter? 4. Answer the question: How and why are marriage and family changing? 5. Discuss theoretical perspectives on M & F 6. Discuss the research process

What influences the relationship choices that you make? What influences the relationship choices that you have made and will make in future? – Whether to marry? Who to marry? Whether to have children? When to have children? Whether to have pre-marital sex? Whether to use birth control? Whether to cheat or to divorce?

Agency vs. Structure Agency-making individual choices based on free-will Structure-cultural and structural influences operate in the decision making process

Social forces and Choices Global, structural, cultural, and media influence relationship choices – Globalization Global economic, political and religious factors

Social Structure: How a society is organized – Institutions – Social groups – Statuses – Roles

Institutions The largest elements of society are social institutions. These include: – Family – Economy – Education – Religion

Social Groups Two or more people who have a common identity, interact, and form a social relationship. Social groups may be categorized as primary or secondary. – Primary groups are characterized by interaction that is intimate and informal. – Secondary groups are characterized by interaction that is impersonal and formal.

Statuses The status we occupy largely define our social identity. The statuses in a family may consist of mother, father, child, sibling, stepparent, and so on.

Roles Every status is associated with many roles, or sets of rights, obligations, and expectations associated with a status. – Social statuses identify who we are; roles identify what we are expected to do. Roles guide our behavior and allow us to predict the behavior of others.

Culture and media Culture – Beliefs – Values Individualism, collectivism, familism Media – TV, Internet, Movies, print How does media influence choices we make in relationships. – Mate selection, gender roles, ideas about same sex relationships, staying single, etc

The Sociological Imagination The connection between the individual and wider society – Emphasizes how powerful social structure and culture are in influencing personal decisions making I.E- interracial dating and marriage – What are structural and cultural factors?

Elements of Marriage Marriage – Legal Contract – Emotional Relationship – Sexual Monogamy – Legal Responsibility for Children – Announcement /Ceremony

Types of Marriage Polygyny – 1 husband and 2+ wives Polyandry – 1 wife and 2+ husbands Polyamory – Two lovers do not forbid one another from having other lovers Pantogamy – Group marriage

Types of Families Family: – Family of Origin – Family of Procreation – Nuclear Family – Binuclear Family – Extended Family

How did families function prior to the industrial revolution? How have families changed since the 1950’s? – Size, gender roles, etc? Are these changes a result of personal choices or structural/cultural factors?

The Industrial Revolution and Family Change Dual-income family Urbanization Transportation The demise of familism and the rise of individualism

Changes in the Last Half Century (1950- today) Family relationship values Gender roles Sexual values Homogamous mating Cultural silence on intimate relationships Divorce Familism versus individualism Homosexuality Scientific scrutiny Family housing

Differing Perspectives on the Changing family Marriage resilience perspective- the view that changes in the institution of marriage are not indicative of a decline and do not have negative effects.

What is a theory?

Theoretical Frameworks for Marriage and the Family Structural-Functional – Views the family as an institution with values, norms, and activities meant to provide stability for the larger society. Conflict – Recognizes that family members have different goals and values that result in conflict. Social Exchange – Individuals seek to maximize their benefits and minimize their costs.

Theoretical Frameworks for Marriage and the Family Feminist – Women and men will experience life differently because there are different expectations for the respective genders. Symbolic Interaction – The process of interpersonal interaction.

Evaluating Research in Marriage and Family Steps: – Identify the topic or focus of research – Review the literature – Develop hypotheses – Decide on a method of data collection – Get International Review Board(IRB) reviewed. – Collect and analyze data – Write up and publish results