Social Institutions: Family and Religion (or how sociology takes on traditional values)

Social Institutions: Family and Religion Sociological perspectives on social institutions The family: a global view Sociological perspectives on the family Religion as a social institution Components of religion

Social Institutions Social institutions: organized patterns of belief and behavior centered on basic social need All societies have social institutions Cultural universals Functionalist view of institutions: Any society must accomplish 5 major tasks: Replace personnel Teach new recruits Produce and distribute goods and services Preserve order Provide and maintain a sense of purpose

Social Institutions Conflict view of institutions Object to the implication that the outcome of institutions is efficient and socially desirable Major institutions, such as education, help maintain privileges of most powerful individuals and groups Social institutions inherently conservative Social institutions operate in gendered and racist environments Interactionist view of institution Emphasize that social behavior conditioned by the roles and statuses we accept, groups we belong to, and institutions within which we function

Family: a Global View Composition: what is a family? Set of people who are related by blood, marriage, or adoption who share the primary responsibility for reproduction and caring for members of society Nuclear family- married couple and their unmarried children living together Extended family- family in which relatives- grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.- live in the same home as parents and their children Monogamy: form of marriage in which one woman and one man are married only to each other Serial monogamy: when a person has several spouses in his or her lifetime, but only one spouse at a time

Family Compositions Polygamy: when an individual has several husbands or wives simultaneously Polygyny: marriage of a man to more than one woman at a time Polyandry: marriage of a woman to more than one husband at the same time

Kinship Patterns Kinship: state of being related to others Bilateral descent: both sides of a person’s family are regarded as equally important Patrilineal descent: only the father’s relatives are important Matrilineal descent: only the mother’s relatives are significant

Authority Patterns Patriarchy: males are expected to dominate in all family decision making Matriarchy: women have greater authority than men Egalitarian family: family in which spouses are regarded as equals

Functionalist Perspectives on the Family Family serves 6 functions for society (Ogburn): Reproduction Protection Socialization Regulation of sexual behavior Affection and companionship Provision of social status

Conflict Perspectives on the Family Family reflects inequality in wealth and power found within larger society In many societies, husbands have exercised power and authority within the family View family as economic unit that contributes to societal injustice

Interactionist & Feminist Perspectives on the Family Focuses on micro level of family and other intimate relationships Interested in how individuals interact with each other whether they are cohabiting partners or longtime married couples Feminist: Interest in family as social institution Urged social scientists and agencies to rethink notion that families in which no adult male is present are automatically cause for concern Contributed to research on single women, single-parent households, and lesbian couples

Religion As A Social Institution Religion: unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things (Durkheim) Durkheim believed religious bonds often transcend personal and divisive forces Offers people meaning and purpose Religion allows us to “do something” about calamities we face Encourages us to view personal misfortunes as relatively unimportant

Religion and Social Change Weber: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism ([1904] 2009) Protestant ethic: followers of Protestant Reformation emphasized a disciplined work ethic and a rational orientation for life “Spirit of capitalism” emerged as generalized cultural trait Marx: Religion impeded social change People focus on other-worldly concerns Religious values reinforce other social institutions and the social order as a whole To whatever extend religion influence social behavior, it reinforces existing patterns of dominance and inequality

Feminist Perspectives on Religion Theorists stressed fundamental role women play in religious socialization Women generally take subordinate role in religious governance Because most religions are patriarchal, they tend to reinforce men’s dominance in secular as well as spiritual matters Women play vital role as volunteers, staff, and educators

Components of Religion Religious Beliefs: statements to which members of a particular religion adhere Fundamentalism: rigid adherence to fundamental religious doctrines Religious Rituals: practices required or expected of members of a faith Generally affirm beliefs Religious Experience: feeling or perception of being in direct contact with ultimate reality or of being overcome with religious emotion Being “born again”