1. Functionalism How does the family socialize children? - how to participate in society -early age = values (what is good or desirable in society) and norms (rules defining appropriate & inappropriate behavior) - role models: training and education

2. What is the socioemotional function of the family? - socioemotional maintenance: provision of acceptance and support How does the family transmit social status? - economic resources -white collar kids = more likely to attend college/graduate school than blue collar

3. What is the economic function of the family? - family provides what is needed to survive - $220,000+ to raise a child from birth to 18

4. Conflict Theory How does conflict theory explain gender relationships in the family? - males are dominant - males work outside the home to provide finances - women take care of the house - men have control over the money & women are kept in a dependent role

5. Symbolic Interactionism How does the family help develop a person’s self-concept? - key to understanding behavior within the family lies in the interactions among family members and the meanings that members assign to these interactions

6. Causes of divorce * age of the people when they marry * how many years the partners have been married * nature and quality of the relationship

7. Blended family – a family formed when at least one of the partners in a marriage has been married before and has a child or children from a previous marriage.

8. What major problems face blended families? - money difficulties - stepchildren’s antagonism - unclear roles