Chapter 16, The Family The Nature of Families Perspectives on the Family Dynamics of Mate Selection and Marriage

The Family As a Social Institution Devoted to achieving important social goals: Social control of reproduction. Socialization of new generations. Social placement of children in the institutions of the larger society.

Defining the Family A group of people related by blood, marriage, or adoption. The nuclear family into which one is born and socialized is the family of orientation. The nuclear family one forms through marriage or cohabitation is the family of procreation.

Variations in Family Structure Family Married couples with children40.3%24.1% Married couples without children 30.3 %28.7% Other family households10.6 %16.0% Men living alone 5.6 %10.7% Women living alone11.5 %14.8%

Trends: Single and Two Parent Families YearSingle MomSingle DadTwo Parents

Glick: Stages of the Family Life Cycle 1. Family formation: first marriage 2. Start of childbearing: birth of first child 3. End of childbearing: birth of last child 4. “Empty nest”: marriage of last child 5. “Family dissolution”: death of one spouse

Interactionist Perspective Focuses on sources of tension and conflict within the family. A basic tension in the family is the need to maintain individuality within a set of interdependent relationships.

Interactionist Perspective Many families never succeed at encouraging each member to realize their full potential within the context of family life. Research shows that the core problem is usually the failure of the adult couple, even in intact families, to understand and develop their own relationship.

Conflict Perspective Changes in the family as an institution cannot occur without conflict within the family and between the family and other institutions. This conflict is illustrated by public debates over family policies and family values.

Functionalist Perspective The family evolves in response to changes in the larger social environment. Modern families play a vital part in early- childhood socialization, in the emotional lives of their members, and in preparing older children for adult roles.

Mate Selection In all cultures mate selection is carried out according to rules of bargaining and exchange. All cultures have norms that specify whether a person may marry within or outside the cultural group. The mate selection systems of the U.S. gives love greater prominence than does other cultures.

Divorce About 20% of first marriages end in annulment or divorce within three years. The early years of family formation are the most difficult. The divorce rate among couples who lived together before marriage is higher than for couples who have not done so.

Factors in Divorce Age at marriage- marriages that take place when a woman is in her teens or thirties are more likely to end in divorce. Marked differences in family backgrounds of the spouses. Dependence on either spouse’s extended family.

Factors in Divorce Patterns of marital instability in either spouse’s extended family. Early pregnancy.

Impact of Divorce Stress of divorce may continue for a year or more. Both men and women have a diminished capacity for parenting after divorce and may come to depend on their children to help them cope with the demands of their own lives.