Life at HomeChapter 13

OutlineWhat is a family?Diversity in familiesTheoretical perspectivesGender and Family LaborAging in the FamilyAbuse Divorce, Breakups and Blended Families

What is a family?Family-social group whose members are

bound by legal, biological or emotional ties, or some combination of the threeMeaning always changes with social, cultural,

political tide of societyIndustrial Revolution, Women’s Liberation,

divorce rates, gay families, single parents, etc…

Nuclear family-heterosexual couple with one or more children living in a single household

Extended family-large group of relatives (incl. at least 3 generations either in one household or in close proximity

Diversity in FamiliesEndogamy-marriage to someone in one’s social

groupMore common than exogamy

Exogamy-marriage to someone from a different social groupIncreasing, still rare: 5.7% of couples interracial

(2000)Monogamy-marrying only one individual at a timePolygamy-allows people to have more than one

spouse at a timePolygyny-allows men to have multiple wivesPolyandry-allows women to have multiple husbands

Theoretical PerspectivesStructural-functionalism-family is essential

institution that allows modern industrial economy to functionDurkheim-marriage and family decreased

men’s suicide ratesConflict Theory-nuclear family contributes to

oppressive social relationsCompetition over scarce resources (time,

energy, leisure)Gendered social institution (unequal power

between men and women)

Theoretical PerspectivesSymbolic

Interactionism-looks at how family relations are created and maintained in interactionFamily members

actively construct meaning of social bonds and roles

Gender and Family Labor

The Industrial Revolution created different and unequal roles for men and women-men working outside home for wages/women in home taking care of kidsSecond Shift-unpaid labor

inside the home; often expected of women after paid job

Hochschild-“supermom”-women who accept dual roles

Aging in the FamilyAmerican population

is aging-current average life expectancy is 78 years

Retirement-Social Security benefits only source of income for 54% of retired population10% of retired below

poverty line

Abuse in Families*People more likely to be killed, assaulted,

sexually victimized in own homes by family members than anywhere elseRelated to privacy of nuclear family (early

1900s)1 in 3 women will experience violence by

partner at some point in her lifeWomen 5-8 times more likely to be victimized

than menDomestic violence-any physical, verbal,

financial, sexual, or psychological behaviors abusers use to gain and maintain power over victims

Abuse in FamiliesCycle of Violence-common behavior pattern of

abusive relationships1. Begins happily 2. Relationship grows tense3. Violence occurs4. “honeymoon phase”-reason victims stay

Neglect-form of child abuse where caregiver fails to provide adequate nutrition, clothing or shelter

Elders also subject to abuse in form of neglect, abandonment, financial exploitation, etc… Elders and children both at risk because of relative

powerlessness

Divorce, Custody, Child Support2002-55% of U.S. population married/10%

divorcedRates of divorce have been steadily climbing

Most who divorce remarry, but rate lower than in 1960s

Increase in cohabitation-living together as a romantically involved, unmarried couple

Growing acceptance of divorce-less stigma

Divorce, Custody, Child SupportMothers still disproportionately get kids,Trend toward joint custody-physical and

legal responsibility of caring for childrenChildren are more likely to live in poverty

after divorceWomen often experience downward economic

mobility

TrendsBeing single-not just young; gays, long-

distance relationships, communes, widows, and due to choice

Cohabitation-1960-2000 number of cohabitating couples in U.S. increased 1000%Most 25-34 years old

Single parenting-only 10% of single parents fathers

Intentional community-any group who form a communal living arrangement outside marriageFor a common purpose