Problems of the Family

Critical Constructionism and Family Problems What are some social problems attributed to the “breakdown” of the family? ? Is the social Institution of the family changing? How has the family changed?

The Family In Historical Perspective The “crisis of the family” argument – Myth of a stable and harmonious family of the past – Myth of family decline as the cause of social problems – A opinion voiced often in political rhetoric Conservative vs. Liberal

U.S. Families in Historical Perspective Family arrangements are closely related to historical economic developments. – Industrialization and family arrangements How did the family change during the industrial revolution? – The breadwinner/homemaker pattern never applied to immigrants and racial minorities.

Popular Constructions of the Ideal Family Model What do you picture when you think of the family of the “golden age”, the family of the 1950’s? – Where did they live? – How did they live? – Did they experience family social problems? Divorce? Child abuse? Domestic Violence?

The Family of the 1950’s The Traditional Family and the “natural order” – Women’s social status takes a step back – Domestic Bliss and Housewife’s blight Did social problems such as marital instability, child abuse, wife battering, and incest exist during the 1950’s? – Of course they did…but divorce was taboo, and domestic violence was not defined as criminal or deviant » Fallacious reasoning to believe that the 1950’s family was the ideal family model? Not only did this family types experience problems, but it was relartivel6y new in history in terms of gender roles and family lifestyle. Additionally, it only existed in middle and upper class areas.

Opposing Viewpoints on the Family The “Family Decline/crisis” Perspective- This view of the family says that divorce, economic decline, and the decline of two-parent intact families have hurt the institution of family. – Belief in a natural order for families The “Family Change/Resiliency” Perspective- This view sees changes to the family as just that, changes. Families are changing and adapting to new environments. They are extremely resilient. – The crisis of the family argument is not new. It is typical throughout history and typical throughout the world.

The Current State of the Family The family has always undergone changes along with economic developments; current trends include: – Women in the workplace – Modern-day family stress – Bankruptcy Why do most families go bankrupt

Family Trends Other trends include: – Higher divorce rates than 1950’s: Why? – Increased singlehood (and delaying marriage) and cohabitation: Why? – Increased acceptance of homosexual couples: More gay and lesbian couples raising children – More single women having children – More interracial marriages – More women deciding not to have children

What is the subjective nature of defining social problems? – Differing views on changing family dynamics illustrate subjectivity of defining social problems

Same Sex Rights The subjective nature of social problems The roots of prejudice The culture wars – Legal soon? Why? How?

Family Privileges What rights and privileges are accorded to people who are married or defined as family by law? – Is marriage and starting one’s own family a goal of most Americans?

Children: Our Most Precious Resource? Cross Cultural Comparison: The U.S invests very little into the welfare of it’s children relative to many industrialized countries – The Human Capital Perspective: Objective Reality vs. popular construction – Child Care – Child Poverty Rates Consequences

Capitalism vs. The Family The competitive free market and families – Arguably, capitalism pits families against one another. Principles of competition and individualism (social darwinism) Capitalism and “family Friendly” policies – Do U.S. citizens support policies that help families in need? Subsidized health care? Child care? Paid leave? Welfare? – Are family values and capitalist values antithetical? Collectivism vs. Individualism Providing a social safety net and government assistance to families in need Whether you agree or disagree, critical constructionist analysis shows that reality is far from pronounced ideals of system and politicians

Additional Family Social Problems Divorce rates – Nearly 50% Family Violence – Child abuse Neglect most common form of Child abuse Poverty is single best predictor of child abuse – Domestic Violence Focus on abuse of women? – Women more frequently assaulted and more likely to be injured – 25% of women assaulted in lifetime – 80% of spousal homicide victims are women – Domestic violence is leading cause of death for women between the ages of – Women who are unemployed and lack financial freedom are more likely to stay in abusive relationships and return to abusers