Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

sociology- families & households > families & households > Flashcards

families & households Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

households

A

either one person living alone or a group of people who live at the same address and share living arrangements

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

family

A

a group of people related by kinship ties

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Nuclear family (traditional )

A

a two-generation family with two heterosexual adults and their dependant children. A traditional ( or conventional ) nuclear family is one in which the parents are married and the gender roles are segregated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

extended family

A

2 or more generations of family members with additions beyond the nuclear family. Horizontal means of the same generation ( aunties/uncles/cousins) or vertical meaning grandparents are included.
the classic extended family are kin who live in the same household or close proximity; the modified extended family are kin who are geographically dispersed but maintain regular contact via technology

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

beanpole family

A

multi-generational family ( 3+ generations) but few people in each generation -due to increased life expectancy; grandparents play an important role in in the care of grandchildren, etc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

matrifocal family

A

female-headed families, no adult male. E.g African Caribbean families have a high proportion of matrifocal families

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

patriarchal families

A

a male-headed, male-dominated family

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

same-sex family

A

families headed by lesbian or gay couples, with or without children

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

single/lone person family

A

families headed by one adult, over 90% are of those headed by women

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

LAT family

A

Living apart together -families or couples who do not live together but usually work reasons, live separately

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

cohabitating family

A

Couples who live together but are not married

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

empty shell family

A

a couple living together but not emotionally committed to one another

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

empty nest family

A

a family where the children have left home and its just parents at home

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

single /lone person household

A

a person living alone through choice, divorce, or bereavement

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

reconstituted family

A

a family where one or more of the partners bring children from another relationship. commonly known as a stepfamily

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

symmetrical family

A

a nuclear family with joint conjugal roles; husband/wife or cohabiting couples share domestic labour, childcare and leisure activities; the relationship is egalitarian (more equal )

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

neo-conventional family

A

a contemporary version of the nuclear family where both parents work and share the domestic family. Parents may be cohabiting or married, and the children are their biological or adopted offspring. Chester believes this is what most families like

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Wagg (1992) view on childhood

A

Wagg argues that there is no universal experience of childhood and as such childhood is not biological but socially constructed; something created and defined by society. evidence that childhood is socially constructed: law, expectations, time, culture, religion, environment, CAGE, compared to other families. this is also supported by the idea of cross-cultural differences in childhood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

what is the modern western idea of childhood?

A

It is generally accepted in our society today that childhood is a special time of life and that children are fundamentally different from adults. They’re seen as physically and psychologically immature, not yet competent to run their own lives, in need of protection, in need of socialization to learn to become a responsible adult.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

what are Pilcher’s views on childhood

A

Pilcher argues that the modern western view of childhood also sees children as separate from adults and that childhood is a distinct life stage. for example .products and services like clothes, toys, books, food
.lifestyle/activities: daily activities are very different from
adults, children ‘golden age’ of happiness, innocence, fun, vulnerable
.innocent &vunerable: safeguarding and child protection laws, kept separate from adults and dangers of the adult world

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

what are the historical changes to childhood?

A

childhood has changed significantly over time, giving us further evidence to support Wagg’s view that childhood is socially constructed by the society that we live in. eg:
Aries (1960) argued that children in the middle ages were like ‘mini adults’. He conducted research by looking at paintings from the 10th -13th century, determining that in this time period adults and children were not seen as distinct from one another and that childhood was in no way a ‘special’ or ‘separate time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

other sociologists view on childhood

A

other sociologists take a conflict view of childhood, arguing that society is based on inequalities of power and that this impacts negatively on the experiences of children. They criticize the march of progress view, suggesting it is based on a false and idealized image ignoring inequalities in society Conflict theorists argue that while the experience of childhood may have improved for some, this is not the case for all children and there is still huge inequalities between children based on key variables

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

what is child-centered?

A

the idea that children are the focal point of the family and wider society

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

what is an economic asset ?

A

when children are perceived as financially positive, bringing money in.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

what is socially constructed?

A

something created by society, Waggs says that childhood is this

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

what is toxic childhood?

A

Palmer argues that while technology benefits adults, it negatively affects children since traditional parenting techniques are ignored

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

what is the march of progress?

A

the view that wider society, the family, and therefore childhood are improving as time goes on

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

what is age patriarchy?

A

Gitten’s concept for an idea that adults have power and control over children

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

what is the disappearance of childhood?

A

Postman’s view that childhood is no longer a distinct age

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

what is cross-cultural?

A

An approach that compares childhood in one society with another.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

what is the golden age of childhood?

A

Pilcher’s idea that childhood is a time of happiness and innocence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

what is the ‘conflict’ view?

A

the view that childhood is getting worse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

what are factory acts?

A

the law that removed children from the workplace

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

what are mini-adults?

A

Arie’s concept describing children in the middle ages

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

topic SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES FAMILY

A

FAMILY

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

what is consensus?

A

an agreement, members of society agree on norms and values eg. functionalism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

what is the structural view?

A
  • the structural view sees us as entirely shaped by the structure of society (the way society is organized).
  • it sees us behaving accordingly to society’s norms and expectations, which we internalize through the socialization process.
  • this view is sometimes described as a ‘macro’ approach because it focuses on how wider society influences us.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

what is the social action view?

A

the social action view sees us as having free will and choice. it emphasizes the power of individuals to create society through their actions and interactions. this is sometimes described as micro . In practice most sociologists accept that individuals do have some degree of choice, as the social action view argues, but that their choices are limited by the structures of society, as the structural view argues,

39
Q

what do conflict and consensus theories believe?

A

consensus theories believe that society is based on agreement and shared values which create balance, harmony, and well-being in society. whereas conflict theories believe that society is unequal and unfair which creates divisions and disagreement in society.

40
Q

what do functionalists believe about society?

A

Functionalist sociologists see society as

  • based on value consensus, that is harmony and agreement among its members about basic values. According to Functionalists,
  • society is held together by a shared culture. Sharing the same culture integrates individuals into society by giving them a sense of solidarity or ‘fellow feeling’ with others.
  • it enables members of society to agree on goals and how to achieve them and so allows them to co-operate harmoniously.
41
Q

what do Marxists believe about society?

A 
By contrast, Marxist sociologists see society as based on class conflict, not consensus. They argue that society is divided into 2 social classes:
🔹The minority capitalist class, or bourgeoisie, own the means of production (ways to produce goods to buy and sell) such as the factories, raw materials, and land 
🔹the majority working-class or proletariat own nothing but their labour which they have to sell to the bourgeoisie in order to survive.
42
Q

what do feminists believe about society?

A

feminist sociologists agree with Marxists that there are fundamental divisions and conflicts in society, but they see gender rather than class as the most important division. This creates conflict between women and men.

43
Q

what are the key features of functionalism?

A

functionalism is :
-structural, consensus, and macro
Functionalists regard society as :
- a system or structure of inter-related parts (different parts that depend on each other for example family and economy )
-A living organism (the organic analogy ) is like the human body- where all parts are dependent on each other.

44
Q

what are the functionalist’s views on the family?

A

According to functionalists, the family has a number of responsibilities placed upon it- these are the functions it performs in society. There are three key functions fulfilled by the family:

  1. Preparation of children to fit into adult society
  2. enabling society to survive- the family is a ‘functional prerequisite’ (basic need ) of all societies.
  3. Fitting with other social institutions ( like education of the economy ) so that society can function efficiently and harmoniously
45
Q

what did Murdock (1949) believe about family?

A

Murdock believes that family performs four essential functions to meet the needs of society and its members:

  1. sexual regulation and the stable satisfaction of the sex drive with the same partner, preventing the social disruption caused by a sexual ‘free-for-all’
  2. Reproduction of the next generation, without which society could not continue
  3. Socialisation of the young into society’s shared norms and values
  4. Economic- providing family members with necessities such as food, clothing, warmth, and shelter.
46
Q

what are the arguments against Murdock?

A
  1. The Nayar of southwest India , before the 19th century there was no nuclear family. A woman could have sexual relations with any man she wanted and the biological father of children was therefore uncertain
  2. Conflict and exploitation -Feminists see the family as meeting the needs of men not women and children. Marxists argue that it functions for the needs of the capitalist economy, not those of family members or society as a whole.
  3. His view is outdated and irrelevant- to an understanding of families and households in the 21st century.
47
Q

what are Parsons’s (1955) views on family?

A
  1. Adaptation- he believes in the functional fit theory. Parsons argues that the role of the family (its functions ) depends on the kind of society in which it is found in. (‘Functional fit ‘theory). For example, if society’s economy changes, the family are required to adapt accordingly
  2. Industrialisation - when societies change from a pre-industrial to an industrialised one, Parsons argues that the family structure changes from a functional, extended to a functional ‘isolated’, nuclear structure
  3. Achieved Status- Industrialisation also requires individuals to achieve their status as individuals not as members of an ascribed family unit. in addition, children may achieve higher status at work than their parent which could result in family conflict; the modern, ‘structurally isoltaed’ nuclear family avoids such conflict and tension

Parsons conclusion: the nuclear family is uniquely suited to the needs of industrial society.

48
Q

what are the two essential functions of the nuclear family?

A

parsons identified two specialised or ‘irreducible functions of the modern nuclear family’ which were:

  1. primary socialisation of children- to equip them with the basic skills and society’s values, to enable them to cooperate with others and begin to integrate them into society
  2. stabilisation of adult personalities (warm bath theory/SOAP)- the family is the place where adults can relax and release tensions, enabling them to return to the workplace refreshed and ready to meet its demands. Martial partners provide each other with emotional support and parenting enables them to indulge in the ‘childish side’ of their personalities- eg; playing with their children
49
Q

what are the arguments against parsons?

A
  1. Has family lost all its other functions? - Functionalists like Flecher argue that far from losing its functions, the functions of the family have increased. For example, he argues that the family has more responsibilities for children as childhood has ‘extended’; and more responsibilities for the emotional needs of adults as higher expectations of marriage and romantic love place more demands on the family to provide for fulfilled relationships.
    Similarly, Feminists argue that the health and welfare of family members is still carried out within the family usually by women for ‘free’. Feminists naturally disagree with parsons patriarchal division of labour which sees women as being ‘naturally’ suited to do unpaid work and rely on men.
50
Q

what are Willmott and Youngs (1972) views on family

A

They agree that family has become privatised and nuclear due to industrialisation and that this is more functional for society and for couples. This change represents a march of progress where joint conjugal roles, improved living standards and home-centred leisure activities have weakened ties with extended kin and strengthened the bond- practical, emotional, economic. Willmott and Young refer to this as a symmetrical family.

51
Q

what are the arguments against Willmott and Young (1972)?

A
  1. Feminists argue that the symmetrical family is a myth and that the nuclear family remains a patriarchal institution.
52
Q

what are symmetrical families?

A

A family where the roles of husband and wife or cohabitating partners have become more alike and equal.

53
Q

what is a Functional fit?

A

Parsons theory that, with industrialisation, the structure of the family become nuclear to fit the needs of industrial society for a geographically and socially mobile labour force

54
Q

what are Murdock say four functions of the family?

A

Murdock’s theory that families function to provide; sexual regulation, reproduction, economic cooperation and socialisation

55
Q

what is structural differentiation?

A

the way new, more specialised, social institutions (welfare state) emerge to take over functions that were once performed by a single institution (eg. the family)

56
Q

what is geographical mobility?

A

movement of people and families from one place to another eg. in search of work

57
Q

what is loss of functions?

A

The process where the family becomes more responsible for fewer and fewer functions

58
Q

what is the warm bath theory?

A

One of the two functions of the nuclear family identified by Parsons, where adults can relax and release tensions, enabling them to return to the workplace ready to meet its demands. This is functional for the efficiency of the workplace

59
Q

what does home-centred mean?

A

Willmott’s and Young’s idea that as standards of living rise, families become more privatised

60
Q

what does the instrumental role mean?

A

The provider/breadwinner role in the family, often associated by functionalist’s with men’s role in the family

61
Q

what does structural differentiation mean?

A

Parson’s theory of the family is sometimes described as this

62
Q

what does an isolated nuclear family mean?

A

The family structure common in industrial societies according to Parsons

63
Q

what does the Universal nuclear family mean?

A

The idea that the nuclear family is so important that it exists everywhere, in every society

64
Q

what does expressive role mean?

A

The nurturing, caring and emotional role, often linked by functionalists to women’s biology and seen as women’s ‘natural’ role in the family

65
Q

what is the primary socialization of children?

A

The first stage in the process of learning the culture of society, which takes place in the society

66
Q

what does the march of progress mean?

A

the idea that societies inevitably improve and change for the better

67
Q

what does industrialisation mean?

A

the economic change from farming to factories

68
Q

who is Anderson?

A

A social historian who researched the 1851 Census and found that industrialisation reinforced the need for an extended family due to increased poverty and hardship

69
Q

what are classic extended families?

A

The family structure was identified by Willmott and Young amongst working-class communities. Kinship ties are strong, particularly between mothers and daughters and provide emotional practical and financial support. These families often share the same residence or live in close proximity to each other.

70
Q

what is social mobility?

A

Movement of groups or individuals up or down the social hierarchy

71
Q

what is a modified, extended family?

A

The family structure identified by Litwak which recognises that extended kin ‘stay in touch’ despite geographical mobility

72
Q

what is a beanpole family?

A

Family structure which emerged as a result of increased life expectancy and falling birth rates (Brannen)

73
Q

what are the features of the new right theory?

A
  1. political- often referred to as ‘political functionalism’ or neo-functionalism. Like functionalists, the new right argue there is only one ‘proper’ or ‘normal’ family type- the traditional nuclear family (cereal pack family)
  2. conservative- commited to traditional values
  3. Anti-feminist- women’s liberation from the expressive housewife role has contributed to the moral breakdown of the family and society
  4. Anti-society- the ‘nanny state’; people are individuals and must stand on their two feet rather than depend on the welfare state =blaming women for wanting money
  5. Highly influential =it has had a profound impact on the social, political, economic and cultural life of the Uk since 1979
74
Q

what does the New Right regard society as?

A
  • Overregulated- individuals must be responsible for themselves, ‘free’ from state intervention.
  • Required free markets (limited state control of the economy) to run efficiently and encourage individuals to be self-reliant; public sector (eg. NHS) should be privatised to drive up standards efficiency
  • society is Breaking down due to a lack of respect for traditional values and moral order, especially the irresponsible, ‘feral’ underclass’ and fatherless families.
75
Q

what does the New Right believe about families?

A

For the New Right, it is vital for society that the nuclear family should remain the dominant family type. This traditional family is under threat, according to the new right, social changes like feminism, the rising divorce rate, more stepfamilies, more lone parents and cohabitation as an alternative to the commitment of marriage, births outside marriage, gay marriage and welfare state policies that support relationships outside the conventional nuclear family.

76
Q

what do Murray (1984) and Marsland (1989) believe about families?

A 
MM see the growth of single-parent families (SPF's) as dysfunctional -harmful to society and individuals .SPF's are the result of an over-generous welfare state providing benefits for unmarried mothers and their children.
This over generous benefits system has created a dependency culture and an underclass of people who assume that the state will support them and their children -' Benefits Britain'
they believe To prevent the breakdown of the traditional nuclear family and further 'moral decay in society, welfare benefits must be abolished. Murray argues that this would reduce the dependency culture that encourages birth outside of marriage.
77
Q

what do Dennis and Erdos (1992) believe about families?

A

Dennis and Erdos conducted research in the 1980s on single-parent families and argued that their increase had led to a decline in the role of the father in families (since 90% of SPF’s are headed by women ).
Their research showed that the children of SPF’s experience poorer life chances and that boys are especially adversely affected due to a lack of positive male role models in the specialisation process.
D&E claims that SPF’s produce boys/men who are irresponsible and un-disciplined and anti-social. They call on governments to introduce social policies which incentivize nuclear families and discourage single-parent families

78
Q

what are some arguments against the New Right? (ao3)

A
  • a lack of affordable childcare prevents lone parents from working (60% unemployed )
  • Conflict theorists argue that welfare benefits are inadequate and trap families into poverty and dependency . Children of SPF’s experience poorer life chances due to poverty rather than SPF’s being inherently bad
  • Fatherless families do not mean a total lack of male role models for boys eg. uncles, brothers, teachers, grandad’s; or indeed no contact with fathers- children with divorced families today are increasingly co-parented
  • Are families always beneficial for families? eg. dark side eg abusive fathers
  • Feminists argue that the New Right reflects a patriarchal ideology
79
Q

what does moral decay mean?

A

New Right belief that society is in decline caused by a breakdown in traditional norms and values

80
Q

what are the features of Marxist theory?

A

structural- individuals are controlled by capitalist society
conflict- society is divided into two , unequal social classes
macro- large scale

81
Q

what do Marxists regard society as?

A
  • Capitalist- motivated by profit rather than need
  • Divided unequally between the capitalists (bourgeoisie) who own factories and land and the workers (proletariat) who own nothing but their labour (ability to work/do a job) which they must sell to the capitalist class in order to survive
  • Determined (controlled) by the economic base/infrastructure (eg capitalism) and the non-economic /ideological superstructure (such as families )
82
Q

what do Marxists believe about families?

A

Marxists do not regard nuclear as a functionally necessary ( and therefore universal ) institution (unlike functionalists). Marxists see the family within the framework of a capitalist society, which is based on private property, driven by profit, and riddled with the conflict between social classes with opposing interests.

83
Q

For Marxists, what are the main functions of the nuclear family in capitalist society?

A
  • to socially control its members by teaching children to submit to the capitalist, the ruling class
  • reproduce unequal class relationships eg. via ruling class family networks
  • dampen down inevitable social class conflict eg. by discouraging workers from losing wages by going on strike
  • The family is a core market for consumption of the commodities (goods&services) produced by capitalist companies and is, therefore, a key source of its profits-
  • adverts are targeted at families, encouraging them to ‘keep up with the jones’s
  • the media target children who use ‘pester power’ to persuade parents to spend more
  • children who lack the latest fashion or ‘must have’ gadgets are mocked and stigmatized by their peers.
84
Q

what does Engels ( 1884) believe about families?

A

Engels along with other traditional Marxists believed that the monogamous nuclear family developed as a means of passing on private property to heirs. The family, coupled with monogamy, was an ideal mechanism as it proved proof of who the father was, and so the property could be passed onto the right people.
Women’s position in this monogamous nuclear family was not much different to prostitutes since they had to provide sex and heirs in return for the economic security her husband offered.
Women can only achieve liberation from patriarchal control with overthrown capitalism. A classless society with no private property will no longer require a monogamous, patriarchal nuclear family

85
Q

what are the arguments against Engels?

A
  • Old fashioned and outdated view -the idea that men marry and have children to pass on property ignores other reasons for getting married or having children. Many women now work, own property in their own right, have independent incomes, and are less likely to marry for economic security or social necessity.
  • Perhaps monogamous family also benefits women- know who the father of their children is and can demand support
  • how common is the patriarchal (traditional) nuclear family today?
86
Q

what does Zaretsky (1976) believe about families?

A

Zaretsky emphasizes the ideological and economic roles of the family in propping up capitalism :
1. Primary socialization and parental power over children, especially paternal power (age patriarchy) get children used to the idea that there is always ‘someone in charge . This prepares children for working life in a capitalist society in which they will accept orders from their capitalist employees
2. The illusion of a haver (‘buffer zone’) from the harsh exploitation workers experience at work. At home, family members can ‘be themselves’ and have a ‘private life’ away from the alienation of capitalism
However, Zaretsky argues that this ‘family haven’ is an ideological illusion which doesn’t exist in reality. It is dependant on the domestic exploitation of women- wives, mothers, daughters- who perform a ‘labour of love’ within the family at no cost of capitalists. The unpaid domestic labour of housewives ensures that capitalism gets a continuous supply of future generations of workers for free

87
Q

what are arguments against Zaretsky ?

A
  • Are families so easily brainwashed into false consciousness? Children resist parental authority and not all families are materialistic
  • Theory depends on the existence of the nuclear family which ignores the increasing diversity of family structures, roles, and relationships in society today
88
Q

what does Althusser (1971) believe about family?

A

Althusser argued that in order for capitalism to survive, the working class must submit to the ruling class bourgeoisie. He suggested that the family is one of the ideological state apparatuses (along with others such as education and the media )which are concerned with social control and passing on the ideology (ideas and beliefs) of the ruling class.

89
Q

what are the arguments against Althusser?

A

Donzelot argues that state apparatus used to control families is much more direct and repressive than ideological

90
Q

what does Donzelot (1977) believe about family?

A

Although not a Marxist Donzelot is interested in how the state controls working-class families. Unlike Althusser, who argues that state-controlled families are ideological (and therefore indirect, Donzelot identifies state policies and professionals associated with the state (Doctors, social workers, teachers, health visitors, and so on ) as policing family directly in order to control and change them . Poor families particular are likely to be targeted by professionals since they are identified as the cause of crime and anti-social behavior. Such families are seen by the state as ‘problem families’ requiring ‘improvement ‘

91
Q

what are the arguments against Donzelot?

A

Marxists and feminists criticize Donzelot for failing to identify clearly who benefits from policing the family -why are poor families particularly targeted? Marxists argue that family policies and professionals generally operate in the interests of capitalism, while feminists argue that men are the main beneficiaries.

92
Q

what do feminists regard society as ?

A
  • patriarchal
  • unequal
  • gendered
93
Q

what are some key names & concepts in feminism ?

A 
ansley- women as 'takers of shit '
oakley- housework/housewife role
dobash and dobash - violence against wives
somerville- march of progress
greer- matrilocal families
dunne-lesbian couples/ gender scripts

sociology- families & households (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions