COMPLEX RELATIONSHIPS

ECONOMICS

AND

MARRIAGE & FAMILY STRUCTURES

THE SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF WORK

MONEY IS THE FOUNDATION FOR WORK PROCESSES

– BUT, IS THERE MORE?

• WHAT ABOUT THE WEALTHY?

SOCIAL PROCESSES CONNECTED TO WORK

1. ACTIVITY LEVEL – ACQUIRE AND EXERCISE SKILLS

2. VARIETY – CONTEXT IN LIFE

3. TEMPORAL STRUCTURE

4. SOCIAL CONTACT

5. PERSONAL IDENTITY

MODERN INDUSTRIAL WORK PROCESSES

• FORDISM

– LARGE PHYSICAL PLANTS DESIGNED FOR MASS PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION IN MASS MARKETS

– OPTIMAL PROFITABILITY FROM MAXIMUM EMPLOYMENT EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTION

FORDISM = LOW TRUST EMPLOYMENT

• EMPLOYER ASSUMES ALL RESPONSIBILITY

• WAGES• HOUSING• HEALTH CARE• FAMILY NEEDS• RETIREMENT

POST MODERN WORK PROCESSES =

HIGH TRUST EMPLOYMENT

• DECENTRALIZATION OF PRODUCTION

– LOCALIZED PRODUCTION– REDUCTION IN WORKER EXCHANGE– MAXIMIZATION OF PROFIT THROUGH

MASS PRODUCTION WITH CONCURRENT REDUCTION OF LABOR DEPENDENCY

• EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBLE FOR NEARLY EVERYTHING

SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVECONFLICT THEORY

• CLASSIC LABOR vs CAPITAL IN BOTH EMPLOYMENT PERSPECTIVES

• ALIENATION OF LABOR FROM SOCIAL STRUCTURE IN LOW TRUST, FORDIST STRUCTURE

• LESS POTENTIAL FOR LABOR INTERFERENCE WITH PRODUCTION IN HIGH TRUST, POST-MODERN STRUCTURE

MARRIAGE, FAMILY AND SOCIETY

• FAMILY STABILITY IS DEPENDENT ON ECONOMIC SYSTEM

– COMPARE AND CONTRAST PRE-INDUSTRIAL AND POS-INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES

FAMILY STRUCTURES

• TRADITIONAL

• NON-TRADITIONAL• RECONSTITUTED / BLENDED

THE SOCIOLOGICAL QUESTION?

• WHICH IS MOST IMPORTANT IN FAMILY?

1. STRUCTURE

2. FUNCTION

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF FAMILY?

1. TEACHING1. MORALS (NORMS) AND VALUES2. INTERACTION SKILLS

2. SENSE OF PLACE AND PURPOSE3. PROVISION OF NECESSITIES

1. FOOD, CLOTHING AND SHELTER

4. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT5. STABLE SETTING FOR

PROCREATION AND PROTECTION

MARRIAGE

• WHY DO WE MARRY?

• LOVE?

• SOCIAL PRODUCTIVITY?

MARRIAGE AS FOUNDATION FOR FAMILY?

• CUBER AND COLLINS – 3 TYPES OF MARRIAGE:

– VITAL– 3-5%

– CONFLICT HABITUATED– 65%

– CORDIAL– 30%