1. The Sociology of the Family
Learning objectives:
To learn some key terms related to the sociology of the family
Identify and evaluate some of the sociological functions of the family;
The Sociology of the Family

2. Those who take a positive view of family life argues that it offers:-
a haven in a heartless world
a ‘warm bath’ to sink into
benefits to children and parents
the most basic unit in society
a sense of belonging in an impersonal world

3. ….and those who take a negative view argue that the family:-
is a source of tension and conflict
exploits women and children
is too ‘inward looking’ – less care for wider society
is structurally geared to becoming a ‘violent’ institution

4. Definition – Household
A "household" is a group of people who have a common residence. There is not necessarily any family or kinship relationship between them.
Examples:
Students/friends sharing a house • Boarding school • Nursing home • Prison

5. What are the different types of Family?
Nuclear Family
Extended Family
Single Parent Family
Reconstituted Families
Same Sex Family

6. Nuclear Family
(mum, dad…
1st generation
This consists of mother, father and dependent children, usually 2 generations living together.
…and the kids!)
2nd Generation
Sometimes this is referred to as the ‘cereal packet family’ and is often seen as the norm across the world.

7. Nuclear Family
However there is much debate in the UK about the decline of this unit in the last 30 years and the growth in popularity of other family and household forms.
Small isolated nuclear families create unhappy and distorted personalities. ‘The family is the source of all our discontents.’

8. Extended Family
3 or more generations of the same family living together
Or close by with frequent contact
A modified version includes living away but having frequent contact via phone, etc

9. Sometimes referred to as a "broken nuclear" family.
Single Parent Family
This involves a single person plus dependent children. It is more likely to involve a female parent.
Sometimes referred to as a "broken nuclear" family.
As a result of divorce, separation, death of partner, choice, unplanned birth.
‘Single parents tend to produce problem children who are likely to fail in school and get in to trouble with the police.’

10. Reconstituted Families
(sometimes called "Step-Families")
Where the mother and or father are divorced and then marry again so they have step children.
Families made up of a result of divorce, separation and death of partners. Where at least 1 partner has children from a previous relationship

11. As it says on the tin – relationships between same sex partners.
Same Sex Family
As it says on the tin – relationships between same sex partners.
Gay marriage now allow same sex couples to have the same rights as married heterosexuals.

12. Cohabiters
Couples who live together as ‘husband and wife’ (or same sex) but are not officially married.
Living Alone
Increasingly, people are choosing to live alone, even when they get into relationships it might be years before ‘moving in together’

13. 2 mark exam Qs
1. Identify two reasons for the increase in the number of households containing lone-parent families over the last 30 years. (2 marks)
increase in lone-parent families
2. Identify two reasons for the increase in the number of one-person households in Britain over the last 30 years. (2 marks)

14. Is ‘the family’ universal?
The Ik tribe, ethnic group numbering about 10,000 people living in the mountains of northeastern Uganda.
 Colin Turnbull, 1972:
The Mountain People
Turnbull’s insights on the Ik tribe suggests that our own definitions of ‘the family’ are not universally shared, and culture / environment has part to play in ‘shaping’ what a family is.