Function of family

Introduction to Sociology Lesson 11

Family as a Social Institution

Introduction

¤  We are now entering a new section in the course. We will now delve deeper into social institutions.

¤  This week we will discuss family as a social institution.

¤  Before we can talk about family as a social institution, we must learn about institutions in general.

Social Institutions

¤  Social institutions are actually sets of beliefs, behaviors, and rules that are aimed at fulfilling the needs of society.

¤  Social Institutions include: ¤  family, ¤  religion, ¤  education, ¤  economy, and ¤  Governments.

Family as a Social Institution

¤  Family is the social institution responsible for: ¤  Socialization of children ¤  Replacing personnel (reproduction) ¤  Preserving order (child rearing, regulation of sexual behavior) ¤  Economic support ¤  Adult intimate relationships

¤  Let us step away from family as a social institution for a moment and look at the family as a more traditional concept.

What is Family?

¤  Families are relationships in which people: ¤  live together with commitment, ¤  form an economic unit ¤  care for any young, ¤  and consider their identity to be significantly attached to the

group.

Different Family Types

¤  Most people will be a part of two different kind of families in their life time: the family of orientation and the family of procreation.

¤  We will take a closer look at both on the next screens.

Family of Orientation

¤  The first type of family that we are a part of is our family of orientation.

¤  Family of orientation ¤  The family in which you are born or are adopted and in

which early socialization usually takes place

¤  This family includes you, your parents, your sisters and brothers…

My Family of Orientation My family of orientation is made up of me, my brother, my four sisters, and my parents.

Family of Procreation

¤  The second type of family that we are a part of is our family of procreation.

¤  Family of procreation ¤  The family we form by having or adopting children. ¤  If you are married and have children, or if you just have

children, your children, spouse, if applicable, and you make up your family of procreation.

Marieʼ’s Family of Procreation

Marie is my oldest sister. Marieʼ’s family of procreation is made up of her, her husband, and their three children.

More Variations of Family

¤  Families can also be categorized as nuclear and blended.

¤  A nuclear family is a more traditional family consisting of a mother, a father, and children.

¤  A blended family is one that is created through remarriage, and it can include step children and step parents.

Extended Family

¤  Extended family ¤  A family unit composed of relatives (such as grandparents,

uncles, and aunts) in addition to parents and children who live in the same household.

¤  When I was an adolescent, I had an extended family. My fraternal grandmother lived with us until she passed away. Later, my maternal grandfather lived with us until he passed away.

Marriage

¤  Families are often created through marriage.

¤  Marriage is a legally recognized and/or socially approved arrangement between two or more individuals that carries certain rights and obligations and usually involves sexual activity.

¤  In the U.S., the only legally sanctioned form of marriage is monogamy.

Monogamy

¤  Monogamy ¤  A marriage between two partners.

Marriage Patterns

¤  Polygamy ¤  Is the concurrent marriage of a person of one sex with two or

more members of the opposite sex.

¤  Polygyny--the most common form of polygamy ¤  The concurrent marriage of one man with two or more

women.

¤  Polyandry--very rare ¤  The marriage of one woman with two or more men

Patterns of Descent

¤  Patrilineal--the most common in preindustrial societies ¤  Traces decent through the fatherʼ’s side of the family--where

a legitimate son inherits the fatherʼ’s property and sometimes position upon the fatherʼ’s death

Patterns of Descent

¤  Matrilineal ¤  Traces descent through the motherʼ’s side of the family ¤  Inheritance of property is usually traced from the maternal

uncle (motherʼ’s brother) to his nephew (motherʼ’s son)

Patterns of Descent

¤  Bilateral ¤  Traces descent through both the motherʼ’s and the fatherʼ’s

sides of the family.

Residential Patterns

¤  Patrilocal residence ¤  The custom of a married couple living in the same household

(or community) with the husbandʼ’s family.

Residential Patterns

¤  Matrilocal residence ¤  The custom of a married couple living in the same household

(or community) with the wifeʼ’s parents ¤  Marie and Tony live in a matrilocal residence. They live next

door to my parents.

Residential Patterns

¤  Neolocal residence ¤  The custom of a married couple living in their own residence

apart from both the husbandʼ’s and the wifeʼ’s parents.

Roles in Families

¤  Traditional roles of men and women also seem to play out in families.

¤  Family roles can be classified as patriarchal, matriarchal, and egalitarian.

Patriarchal Families

¤  In patriarchal families, men have more power and authority than females.

¤  This power is usually passed down from fathers to sons.

Matriarchal Families

¤  In matriarchal families, women have more power and authority than males.

¤  This power is usually passed down from mothers to daughters and sons.

¤  In this type of family, mothers are responsible for both emotional and economic support.

Egalitarian Families

¤  In egalitarian families, the power and authority are more equally shared.

¤  More families are leaning towards this type of family power structure in the U. S.

Cohabitation ¤  Cohabitation

¤  Refers to a couple who live together without being legally married.

¤  Most relationships that start with cohabitation end up in marriage (85%)

Functionalist Views of Families

¤  The family is important in maintaining the stability of society and the well-being of individuals.

¤  The functions of families in advanced industrial societies include: ¤  Sexual regulation (sexuality and reproduction) ¤  Socialization mainly for children ¤  Economic support for members ¤  Psychological support for members ¤  Provision of social status and reputation (ascribed status)

Conflict Theory and Families

¤ Families are a primary source of inequality.

¤ Families in capitalist societies are like workers in a factory: women are dominated at home by men the same way workers are dominated by capitalists in factories;

¤ Reproduction of children and care for family members at home reinforce the subordination of women through unpaid (and devalued) labor.

Symbolic Interaction and Families

¤  Interactionists examine the roles of husbands, wives, and children as they act out their own parts and react to the actions of others.

¤  Interactionists also study the symbols of the family and their meaning to society.

Divorce

¤  Divorce is the legal process of dissolving a marriage that allows former spouses to remarry if they so choose.

¤  Most divorces are based on “irreconcilable differences.”

¤  Historically: ¤  The U. S. has had low divorce rates ¤  Divorce has mostly declined over time in the U.S.

Remarriage

¤  Most people who get divorced get remarried

¤  Most divorced people remarry others who have been divorced.

¤  At all ages, a greater proportion of men than women remarry and often relatively soon after divorce.

Summary

¤  In this lesson, we have learned a little about social institutions with an eventual focus on the family as a social institution.

¤  Family is one of the most important social institutions, and it is also one of the ones that we encounter first in life.