Chapter 1--Issues and Changes

I. Introduction: Rationale of the family

Who marries?
Religion, society, individual
Homogamy vs. outmarriage

 

II. Methodology: Ideal type construct, Max Weber

Traditional vs. nontraditional families

 

III. Sociology of the Family

1. Family Structure

Nuclear-conjugal, Modified Extended,. Extended family
Marital and gender-role differentiation-- Androgyny, unisex, desegregation,
new neuter

2. Family Functions

William Ogburn, 1930

3. Family Processes (Interaction)

Mate selection (arranged, introduced, self-choice) universal permanent availability
Marriage, separation, divorce
# of children, family size control
Sex for procreation vs. pleasure, monogamy, non-marital sex
Old age

IV. Changes in the past 20 years

pp.35-36

V. Objectives

Feel comfortable with the use of ideal types
Reflect on your family of orientation and place it on the ideal type of traditional vs.
Non-traditional continuum
Generate a graph, calculating multipliers for the 1993(4) figures as compared to
1970 figures to illustrate changes in families.

 

Chapter 2 --Theoretical Frameworks for the Study of the Family

 I. Social Science Approach to the Family

Science: objectivity, replication, precision of measurement
Concept, proposition (hypothesis), theory

 

II. Theories of the Family

 1. Structural-Functionalism

Gestalt psychology, biological analogy
Social system as an integrated whole
Interdependence of parts, boundary maintenance
Persistence, orderly, predictable, status quo

Function: (1) deed, purpose (2) consequence
Manifest vs. latent function
Parsons and Bales views of family function

Family: source for stability, positive value
Role: structurally expected behavior

2. Social Conflict theory

Conflict is natural and inevitable
Some functions are positive
Karl Marx: economic determinism
Family is viewed as perpetuation of inequality

3. Symbolic Interactionism

Socialization and social interaction
Micro level, face-to-face, symbolic cues
Interpretation by the actors, definition of the situation
Looking-glass self, social self
Role: societal expectation interpreted by actors symbolically

 4. Exchange Theory

Expectation of reciprocity
Maximization of reward and minimization of penalty
Authority and power: ingredient of exchange
George Homans: focus on actual behavior
Peter Blau: reciprocity based on symbolic interaction

5. Developmental Theory

Time dimension, life cycle, Evelyn Duvall

 

III. Appraisal and Expansion of Family Theories

Jetes Spres
Hermeneutics : subjective interpretation
Critical social science: possibility
Feminist theory: Ferree

 

Chapter 3-- Marital, Family, and Kinship Organizations

I. Sociological Frameworks of Family

Family as an institution

Family as group or system
Status, role, function

Family as a primary group (vs. secondary group)

 

II. Boundaries

1) Boundaries of Marriage

Functions of marriage

Number of spouses
Singlehood
Monogamy
Polygamy
Polygyny
Polyandry
Group marriage

 

2) Boundaries of Family

Family structure
Nuclear and conjugal family
Modified nuclear/Modified extended
Extended family: consanguine family, joint family, stem family

3) Boundaries of Kinship

Incest taboo

Functions of kin groups
Property holding/inheritance -- unilateral(parilineal, matrilineal), bilateral
Locality -- patrilocal, matrilocal, bilocal, neolocal
Obligation
Affection, primary relation