Chapter 15 - Families

Question 1

Polygamy

Answer 1

a form of marriage involving more than two spouses

illegal in canada since 1878

Question 2

Polygyny

Answer 2

concurrent marriage of one man with two or more wives

Question 3

Polyandry

Answer 3

concurrent marriage of one woman with two or more husbands

Question 4

Family

Answer 4

a social grouping/institution that is in an ongoing process of change

Question 5

Nuclear Family

Answer 5

Cohabiting man and woman who maintain a ‘socially approved’ sexual relationship and have at least one child

Question 6

Five main functions of family

Answer 6

1. sexual regulation
2. economic cooperation
3. reproduction
4. socialization
5. emotional support

Question 7

Traditional nuclear family

Answer 7

wife works without pay in home, husband works outside home for money (making him primary provider)

Question 8

Two ways in which women are more autonomous

Answer 8

1. legalization of birth control measures

2. increased presence in paid labour force

Question 9

Children of divorced parents

Answer 9

1. behavioural problems
2. lower academic achievement
3. higher engagement in delinquent acts
4. increased incidences of emotional crisis/are ‘less likely to be happy’
5. more likely to suffer health problems/ depend on welfare/ earn low incomes/ experience divorce themselves

Question 10

3 factors affecting well-being of children

Answer 10

1. High level of parental conflict 
creates long-term stress among children
2. Decline in living standards
makes it difficult for children to cope
3. Absence of a parent 
relatively small impact and declines over time

Question 11

Common factors of zero-children families

Answer 11

1. rising cost of raising a child
2. growth of attractive alternatives

negatively stereotyped as selfish

Question 12

3 criticisms of family-support policies

Answer 12

1. policies encourage illegitimate births, long-term dependence on welfare, and the breakup of two-parent families
2. non-family child care is bad for children under the age of three
3. expensive and have to be paid for by high taxes

Question 13

3 benefits of family-support policies

Answer 13

1. daycare can enhance a child’s ability to make friends
2. generous family support policies provide offsetting economic benefits
3. the daycare system is beneficial for women and for families. it is also beneficial for society as a whole