unit 1 Flashcards
what is a nuclear family
the traditional type of family structure.
consists of two parents and children.
Once considered the ideal in which to raise children.
Believed it to be a more stable environment in which to raise children
More opportunities in a family with dual income
what are the theoretical perspective in the study of the family that makes up individuals and families
-functionalism
-ecological system theory
-feminist theories
-conflict theory
-systems theory
-exchange theory
-life course aproach
-symbolic interactionism
what is systems
Systems theory if the sociological theory that looks at how groups or individuals interact a system, a set of different parts that work together and influence one another in a relatively stable way over time
how individuals and groups works together and influence each other in a stable way over time
explain the significance of psychology in social science
the study of behaviour based on mental processes
focuses is how the individual thinks
is used to help individuals manage their behaviour
Questions: What personality factors influence our behaviour?
what is conflict theory
Conflict theory, first developed by Karl Marx, is a theory that society is in a state of perpetual conflict because of competition for limited resources.
Conflict theory holds that social order is maintained by domination and power, rather than by consensus and conformity.
what is the patriarchal family
Families are more organized (monogamy: one marital partner).
Men established a patriarchy: the decision makers and authority of the family.
Inheritance of property
Arranged marriages common
Polygamy (more than 1 wife; farmers could support them)
Extended families formed (children married; stayed home due to the need for land for agriculture)
define family through marriage
Many hunter-gatherer groups stayed in one location due to sustainable and abundant food sources (ie: a river to fish).
Forming of enduring relationships between men and women; man could support his own children until about age 5.
New formation of married couple.
Canadian First Nations people were earliest examples of hunter gatherers
~99% of our human history: this is how ancestors survived –both men and women on a daily quest for food.
explain blended family
With the increase in divorce rates this family is increasingly common as these individual choose to remarry.
involves two separate families creating one new unit.
consists of a new husband, wife, or spouse and their children from previous marriages or relationships.
Challenges include adjustment periods, discipline issues, financial, inclusion of exes
what is transitional family
There is no one set of characteristics for this family type
It can be a change in family structure or living
situation. For example:
Homelessness
Separation of spouses
Child care
Parents get remarried
what are the discipline in social science
anthropology, psychology, sociology, and ethnocentrism
what is the sociological definition of role
Society’s expectation of a person’s behaviour in a given setting or status.
whta is a childless family
Some couples cannot or choose not to have children.
does not meet the traditional standards set by society.
2 partners living and working together.
Many include pets
Some have extensive contact with their nieces and nephews.
is ecological micro or macro
macro/interdiciplinary approach
how do vanier institute define family
Any combination of two or more persons who are bound together over time by ties of mutual consent, birth and/or adoption or placement and who, together, assume responsibilities (6 functions of family)
Our definition of family is deliberately broad to ensure that it captures all families and family experiences. It is a functional definition of family that focuses on relationships and roles – what families do, not what they look like.
explain the significance of ethnocentrism in social science
the tendency to evaluate behaviour from the point of view of your own culture, to think your culture is superior.must be overcome to be a good anthropologist, one must observe cultures objectively (without judgement and/or preconceptions)
what is ecological
Individuals and families are members of interlocking systems within society that influence each other.
Goes beyond systems theory to consider the impact of influences outside the family.
what is symbolic interactionism
It is how individuals behave based on their perceptions of themselves and others
People define and interpret their experiences to give them meaning
“Me” and “I” perspective
what is single parent family
one parent raising one or more children on their own.
Considered by some to be the biggest change society has seen in family structures.
Leads to strong family bonds, division of work and cooperation
Limitations/difficulties with such things as finding child care
limits income in many cases
many single parent families have support from others (relatives; friends).
what are the reasons we study family
- To gain a broader understanding of families, than just one’s ideas about one’s
own family. - To find out whether what everyone thinks they know about the family is indeed,
correct. - To understand how human beings develop within families.
- To understand the changes that seem to be happening to the family unit today.
- To find out whether families in the past and in other cultures are the same as or
different from families in Canada, and whether all families in Canada are the
same. - To develop an understanding of family life at all stages so that we can make
rational decisions about family life in the future.
what are the institutions that share in the responsibility off family functions
Government
Religion
Business
Law
Education
is conflict theory micro or macro
macro/interdisciplinary approach
what is exchange theory
A psychological theory that looks at how individuals make choices within roles by weighing costs and benefits
Social roles are stable when the exchange is equal (benefits = costs)
Benefits and costs are based on perceptions, not fact
is symbolic interactionism micro or macro
micro/psych
what is grandparent family
grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.
The parents may not be present in the child’s life, some possible reason for the formation of this type of family: parents’ death, addiction, abandonment, unfit parents.
Challenges for grandparents include possible need to go back to work or find additional sources of income to help raise their grandchildren.
what is the 6 functions of family
Addition of a new family member (birth)
Physical care (doctors, hospitals, shelter, clothes, safety, food)
Socialization of children (school/daycare)
Social control of members (government/law, discipline)
Production, consumption, and distribution of goods and services (making money)
Affective nurturance (love)
what is feminist theories
Looks at the impact of sex and gender on behaviour
Feminist theorists attempt to explain social inequalities between men and women
explain the significance of sociology in social science
explains the behaviour of individuals in social groups
Questions: What are the norms (behavioural expectations in a society or group) of our society and how do they impact our behaviour?
What is the vanier institute, and what’s their mission
a national, independent, charitable organization dedicated to understanding the diversity and complexity of families and the reality of family life in Canada.
Through publications, research initiatives, presentations and social media, the Institute works to enhance the national understanding of how families interact with, have an impact on and are affected by social, economic, environmental and cultural forces.
We use a “family lens” to explore a wide spectrum of topics, since there are few things in life that don’t affect – or aren’t affected by – our circles of kinship.
what is an extended family
2 or more adults who are related (by blood or marriage) living in the same home.
relatives live together and work toward common goals, such as raising the children and maintaining the home
May include cousins, aunts or uncles and grandparents living together.
may form due to financial difficulties or caring for elderly relatives
define family through history of the family
Starting with ancestors of Canada’s First Nations peoples…
Cultural groups all over Canada have organized their family structures in different ways.
explain families overtime
Urban Industrial Families:
Economy shifted from focus of agriculture and commerce, to factory production in towns and cities. (Work became something done outside the family home to earn a wage to provide for the family.)
Role of consumer remained but as producer was lost (Working class family; parents and children working (wages))
is feminist theories micro or macro
macro, it’s an interdisciplinary approach
is functionalism micro aor macro
macro
is life-course approach micro or macro
micro/interdisiplinary approach
explain the significance of anthropology in social science
The study of human behaviour in society past and present
The study of culture
Questions: How is our behaviour shaped by the cultures we live in?
explain foster family
Foster Parents commit to meeting the needs of children in care by providing a safe, nurturing environment until they can be reunited with their family
Foster homes in Canada are for children and youth up to 18 who are not able to reside with their parents or caregivers and are unable to live independently.
explain adoptive family
contains at least one adopted child and at least one adoptive parent that are not biologically related
can be transracial, international, or include members of the same family (known as kinship adoption)
what is life-course approach
Look at behaviour demonstrated by individuals or families at various stages.
Examines biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors that influence development.
There are predictable changes in behaviour throughout the lifecycle
Families have life courses with predictable stages marked by normative events like marriage and the birth of children
Developmental tasks are prerequisites for moving on to the next stage
what are the types of families
-nuclear
-single parent
-extended
-childless
-blended
-grandparent
-foster
-adopptive
-same-sex
-transitional
what is functionalism
looks at how society is oriented to perform, Social change can upset the balance in society
explain same sex family
some examples of ways in which LGBTQ+ people may create families are:
a single lesbian woman who has children from a previous heterosexual relationship;
a co-parenting arrangement between a lesbian couple and a gay male couple;
a gay male couple having children through surrogacy;
a bisexual man having children with a heterosexual woman.
what are the types of way social scientists do their work
theoretical perspectives in the study of the family, micro and macro perspective
is echange theory micro or macro
micro/psych
is systems micro or macro
macro/soich
