Family Problems Flashcards
What does the GSS measure?
- Gathers data on social trends in order to monitor changes in the living conditions and well being of Canadians over time.
- Provide immediate information on specific social policy issues of current or emerging interest.
GSS
General Social Survey, done every 5 years in addition to the census.
At one time, the ‘ideal’ family was based on…
- Formal marriage between two people of different sexes.
- Monogamous and enduring relationship.
- Reproduction and the rearing of children.
What year was the Divorce Act enacted?
1968.
What year was the Divorce Act amended?
1986.
Interpretation of family is becoming more ___.
Liberal.
What are the two types of stepfamily?
Simple and complex.
In 2011, what percent of families were “stepfamilies?”
12.6%.
What does the structural-functionalist perspective say about family?
Traditional gender roles contribute to the functioning of the family.
What are the gender roles that exist?
Expressive and instrumental roles.
Who occupies the expressive role, and what kinds of things do they do?
Women, they do household tasks, caring, and nurturing.
Who occupies the instrumental role, and what kinds of things do they do?
Men, and they provide income and make decisions.
According to the structural-functionalist perspective, ___ families are the norm.
Heterosexual.
What does the SF perspective say about lone-parent and same-sex families/
Abnormal or dysfunctional. Does not contribute to society.
SF says that family breakdown is a ___ social problem.
Primary.
Why does SF say that family breakdown is a primary social problem?
- Leads to secondary social problems including crime, poverty, substance abuse
- Caused by rapid social change and social disorganization.
What does the Conflict Perspective say about family?
Examine the influence of social class and power.
What does the Conflict Perspective say about social class and power?
- Unequal power part of the problem of domestic violence.
- Marriage is an institution to protect property.
Patriarchy
Male dominance; wives as “property.”
What does the SI Perspective say about family?
Human behaviour dependent on meanings and definitions emerging from social interaction.
The SI Perspective says that as social meanings change, ___ change.
Behaviours.
Give an example of how, when social meanings change, behaviours change as well.
Stigma and social sanctions with divorce.
How does labeling affect the family?
Useful perspective for understanding family violence. Negative labels affect person’s self-concept.
How does Merton’s Self-Fulfilling Prophecy explain emotional abuse?
Person abused may become convinced that they deserve that abuse.
What is the Feminist Perspective concerned with in family?
Sexism against women.
What problems does the Feminist Perspective identify with family?
Subordination and vulnerability of women and children.
What does the Feminist Perspective examine in family?
Economic dependency, structure of work, role conflict, family violence.
How does the Feminist Perspective reimagine the family?
What they can accomplish, and how our roles in families might change for the better.
Child Abuse
Physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, negligent treatment, or maltreatment of a child under the age of 18 by a person responsible for the child’s welfare.
For most reported forms of child abuse, except sexual abuse, the most dangerous place is at ___.
Home.
Lucinda Williams’ “Sweet Side” explores a sociological understanding of ___ ___ through music.
Child abuse.
Media presents child abuse as ___.
Bounded.
For children, what are the 5 most reported problems as a result of child abuse?
- Depression or anxiety.
- Age-inappropriate sexual behaviour.
- Behavioural problems.
- Negative peer involvement.
- Irregular school attendance.
What are some problems that adolescents and adults face as a result of child abuse?
Low self-esteem, depression, unhappiness, anxiety, increased risk of substance abuse, criminal activity, suicide.
Intimate Partner Violence
Actual or threatened violent crimes committed against persons by their current or former spouses, boyfriends, or girlfriends.
Who is most at risk for IPV?
- 15-24 age group.
- Common-law relationships.
- Intimate partnerships of less than 3 years.
What are the 4 patterns of partner violence?
- Common couple violence.
- Violent resistance.
- Intimate terrorism.
- Mutual violent control.
Common Couple Violence
- Occasional.
- Conflict gets out of hand.
Violent Resistance
- Acts of violence in self-defence.
- Almost always women against men.
Intimate Terrorism
- Almost always men against women.
- Likely to escalate and lead to serious injury.
- Systematic.
- Control.
Mutual Violent Control
- Rare.
- Both partners.
- Intimate terrorism by both.
What are the consequences of IPV?
- Psychological.
- PTSD.
- Alcohol and drug abuse.
- Reduced employment opportunities.
- Contributing factor to divorce.
- Primary cause of homelessness.
- Miscarriages and birth defects.
- Spousal homicide.
What are some cultural factors contributing to IPV and family violence and abuse?
- Society’s acceptance of violence.
- Gender role socialization.
- View of women and children as property of husbands.
What are some community factors contributing to IPV and family violence and abuse?
- Social isolation.
- Inaccessible or unaffordable community services.
What are some individual and family factors contributing to IPV and family violence and abuse?
- Family history and abuse.
- Drug and alcohol abuse.
- Poverty correlated with abuse.
What are some primary prevention strategies for violence and abuse in intimate and family relationships?
- Education campaigns, media.
- Reducing poverty & unemployment, adequate housing, child care, educational opportunities.
What are primary prevention strategies for violence and abuse in intimate and family relationships.
Targeted to the general population.
What are secondary prevention strategies for violence and abuse in intimate and family relationships.
Targeted to families who are at high risk.
What are some secondary prevention strategies for violence and abuse in intimate and family relationships?
Public education, parental support, child counselling, treatment, home visits.
What are tertiary prevention strategies for violence and abuse in intimate and family relationships.
Social interventions.
What are some tertiary prevention strategies for violence and abuse in intimate and family relationships?
Shelters, safe houses, restraining orders, treatment of abusers.
What is the ideal for prevention strategies?
To only have to use primary prevention strategies.
