Chapter 12, Families and Religion Defining the Family Sociological Theory and Families Diversity Among Contemporary American Families Marriage and Divorce Changing Families/Changing society

Chapter 12, Families and Religion Defining Religion The Significance of Religion in American Society Sociological Theories of Religion Diversity and Religious Beliefs Religious Organizations Religion and Social Change

Features of Kinship Systems Number of marriage partners permitted at one time. Who is permitted to marry whom. How descent is determined. How property is passed on. Where the family resides. How power is distributed.

Functionalism and the Family Families exist to meet particular societal needs: Socializing the young. Regulating sexual activity and procreation. Providing physical care for family members. Giving psychological support and emotional security to members.

Functionalism and the Family When society undergoes rapid change, families become disorganized and break down. The high divorce rate and the number of single parent households are the result of social disorganization.

Conflict Theory and the Family Family relationships reinforce and reflect inequalities in society. Families in American society are shaped by capitalism. Families socialize children to be obedient, subordinate to authority and good consumers.

Feminist Theory and the Family Family is one of the primary institutions producing gender relations in society. The family is a system of power relations and social conflict. The family is a gendered institution and critical of perspectives that take women's place in families for granted.

Symbolic Interaction and the Family Analyze how people define and understand family experience and negotiate family relationships. Emphasizes the construction of meaning within families. Roles within families evolve as participants define their behavior toward each other.

Diversity Among Families Increase in female-headed households which are more likely than others to live in poverty. Gay and lesbian households are more common and challenge traditional definitions of the family. Single people make up more of the population, partly because people marry at a later age.

Female-headed Households Teen mothers are less likely to marry today than in the past. Social problems are caused by economic stress rather than the absence of a husband. Single fathers tend to get more help, typically from women, than do single mothers.

Married Couple Families Most significant change has been the participation of women in the labor force. Both men and women are working a month more per year than they did in 1970. Women work a “double day” of paid employment and unpaid work in the home.

Stepfamilies About 40% of marriages in the U.S. involve stepchildren. Blended families demand the learning of new roles for both parents and children. The lack of institutional support systems cause stress resulting in high probability of divorce among remarried couples with children. 

Gay and Lesbian Households Tend to be less gender-stereotyped in household roles than heterosexual couples. Negatively affected by the denial of benefits and privileges accorded legally recognized marriages. Only Hawaii and Vermont legally recognize gay marriage.

Singles Number has increased from 29% of the population in 1970 to 42% today. People are marrying later partly due to longer life expectancy, higher educational attainment and cohabitation. Changes in sexual attitudes and removal of stigma of being single have contributed to the happiness of singles.

Marriage The U.S. has the highest rate of marriage of any Western industrialized nation. Most marital conflicts are about finances and housework, not sexual jealousy. Most couples agree that childcare should be shared, but only 38% of couples think that housework should be shared.

Marriage Women continue to do more work at home and have less leisure time than men. Men are working longer hours, but primarily in paid employment. The majority of women in all social classes experience stress over the amount of work they have to do and their lack of free time.

Divorce Sociologists estimate that 1 in every 2 marriages made today will end in divorce. Divorced men are more likely than women to remarry and to remarry faster. Despite the emotional pain and economic struggle women experience following divorce, most are glad that their marriages ended.

Family Violence The majority of domestic violence cases go unreported. It is currently estimated that 1 in 3 women will be physically assaulted by her husband. Belief that the batterer will change, financial constraints, and mandatory arrest laws keep the victim in the relationship.

Six Defining Elements of Religion Religion is institutionalized. Religion is a feature of groups. Religions are based on beliefs that are considered sacred, as distinguished from profane.

Six Defining Elements of Religion Religion establishes values and moral proscriptions for behavior. Religion establishes norms for behavior. Religion provides answers to questions of ultimate meaning, as distinguished from secular beliefs.

Durkheim: The Functions of Religion Religion is functional for society: Reaffirms the social bonds between people. Creates social cohesion and integration through religious rituals. Binds individuals to society by establishing a collective consciousness.

Weber: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism The Protestant faith supported the development of capitalism. Material wealth meant one was favored by God, motivating Protestants to work to confirm their salvation. Value judgments about those who haven’t succeeded can be traced to influence of religion.

Marx: Religion, Social Conflict, and Oppression Religion legitimates the social order and supports the ideas of the ruling class. Oppressed people develop religion to soothe them and it prevents them from rising up against oppression. Religion can be the basis for social change or social continuity.

Three Types of Religious Organizations Churches - formal organizations that are seen by society as primary and legitimate religious institutions. Sects - groups that have broken off from an established church. Cults - religious groups devoted to a specific cause or a leader with charisma.

Religion and Social Change Evangelical groups linked to conservative political causes have influenced national elections. Religion has had an important part in the civil rights movement and feminism.