Zastrow Ch. 5-6 Flashcards
U.S. Census Definition of Family
Group of two or more persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption.
U.S. Census Family definition does not include some who consider themselves to be a family:
Husband/Wife with foster children.
Lesbian couple with children from previous relationship.
Man and woman cohabiting without marriage.
Broader definition of Family
A kinship system of all relatives living together or recognized as a social unit. Definition can include unmarried, gay/lesbian, foster families, other units that feel like a family.
Extended Family
A number of relatives living together; parents, children, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, in-laws, and cousins.
Predominant Family Pattern of Pre-Industrial Societies
Extended family - members all share various agricultural, domestic, and other duties.
Nuclear Family
Married couple and children living together.,
Predominant Family Pattern in Industrialized Societies
Nuclear family - smaller size and geographic ‘mobility’ make it more adaptable to changing conditions (need to relocate for employment.)
Third Family Form in U.S.
Single parent families are emerging. Unmarried people adopting children, unmarried women giving birth, married couple divorcing with one parent assuming custody.
Single Parent Family Prevalence in U.S.
About 29% of all families in U.S. are single parent families.
Preindustrial Extended Family Facts
- Nearly self-sufficient. What was consumed was produced on the farm.
- Required tasks on small farms meant the extended family was functional; there were the right number of members to carry out tasks.
Monolithic Code Cultural Beliefs - Preindustrial American Society (Cuber, John, and Thompson)
One pattern of behavior permitted.
- Adults expected to be married. Women in teens or early 20s.
- Marriage permanent. Divorce rare highly disapproved of.
- Individuals expected to place welfare of family above individual preferences. (Choice of mate to benefit family, not personal preference.)
- Sexual relations restricted to marriage. (Double standard for women and men.)
- Married couples expected to have children. Children economic assets and religious obligations.
- Parents expected to care for children, regardless of costs. Children to obey parents. Children to care for parents in old age or disability.
- Father - head of family and made decisions. Women left homes and moved to husband’s home. Male children valued more highly because they remained at home after adulthood.
Industrial Revolution Impact
Families began to lose economic/productive function.
Fewer people were needed to fill essential roles.
Smaller families more functional because of mobility to full employment opportunities.
Individualism (Shift after Industrial Revolution)
Belief that desires of inidividual should take precedence over those of the family. *** Choice of mate became based on personal preference.
Children after Industrial Revolution
Became a liability rather than asset. Had to be fed, clothed, and sheltered, without increasing family income.
Parents began having fewer children as a result.
Change in Function of American Family - 1
1938 Sociologist William Ogburn
Economic - productive function lost. Financial resources now acquired outside home.
Change in Function of American Family - 2
1938 Sociologist William Ogburn
Protective function lost. Protective function now met by police departments, hospitals, insurance companies, nursing homes.
Change in Function of American Family - 3
1938 Sociologist William Ogburn
Educational function sharply reduced. Schools, daycares, Head Start programs replaced much of educational function.
Change in Function of American Family - 4
1938 Sociologist William Ogburn
Family less likely to be center for religious activity.
Change in Function of American Family - 5
1938 Sociologist William Ogburn
Recreational function reduced. Family members seek recreation outside of home.
Change in Function of American Family - 6
1938 Sociologist William Ogburn
Status recognition sharply reduced. Individuals receive recognition for achievements in organizations outside of family.
Change in Function of American Family - 7
1938 Sociologist William Ogburn
Family has retained affectional function. Members receive social and emotional gratification from the family.
Post Industrial Revolution - Changes for Women
Right to Vote
Questioning sexual double standard of morality
Women in workforce
Increased sexual relations outside of marriage (men and women)
- Function of Family - Replacement of Population
Societies have defined rights and responsibilities of reproductive partners in family unit.
- Function of Family - Care of the Young
Family is primary institution for rearing children.
- Function of Family - Socialization of New Members
To become productive members of society, children must be socialized into the culture. Family plays major role in socialization process.
- Function of Family - Regulation of Sexual Behavior
Unregulated sexual behavior would result in clashes between individuals and jealousy, as well as large numbers of births outside of marriage - children for whom no father could be held responsible.
- Function of Family - Source of Affection
Spitz has demonstrated that humans need affection, emotional support, and positive recognition. (Approval, smiles, encouragement, and reinforcement for accomplishments.) Without affection and recognition, emotional, intellectual, physical, and social growth is stunted.
American Society - Romantic Love
Higher value that most societies - glories of romantic love portrayed in TV, books, movies, etc.
Reality is that the romantic ideal rarely happens.
*** 1/2 marriage end in divorce. Rate has been gradually increasing.
Difficulties of Divorce
Less likely to perform well at job during divorce - more likely to be fired.
Divorced people have shorter life expectancy.
Suicide rates are higher for divorced men than married men.
Rising Divorce Rate
Doesn’t necessarily mean more marriages are failing; possibly simply means that more marriages are dissolving rather than continuing unhappily.
Romantic Love vs. Rational Love
If love does not grow into rational love, marriage is likelty to fail.
Possible Reason for Divorce Rate - Women’s Status
Many men still prefer traditional marriage with husband dominant and wife subordinate.
Working Women Outside Home
Over 70% of women with children under 18 work outside home.
Possible Reason for Divorce Rate - Individualism
Individualism - belief that people should actualize themselves, be happy, develop interests and capacities to the fullest, and fulfill own needs and desires. Those interests should take precedence over needs of family.
Reason for Divorce Rate - Functions of Marriage/Traditional Family Reduced
Collapse of a marriage used to mean severe economic/survival difficulty for both parties.
Now, people lose less by divorce than they did historically.
Divorce Laws
In the past, divorce laws made dissolve of marriage almost impossible. One spouse petitioned court for divorce. Had to document that other spouse was guilty of some offense like adultery, desertion, cruel or inhuman treatment.
Modern divorce laws are “no-fault” and allow divorce rapidly by stating marriage has irreparably broken down.
Costs of Divorce Paid by Society
Subsidized housing, public sector make-work jobs, and payments to lawyers involved in collecting support for women and children.
When fathers are unwilling/unable to provide adequate support, mothers and children qualify for TANF.
Custody Battles
Can last up to two years. Emotionally damaging for all parties.
Richard Neely says that children under 14 should be in custody of primary caretaker parent:
1. prepares food. 2. changes diapers, dresses child. 3. takes child to school, church, etc. 4. makes appts. with Dr., etc. 5. interacts with child’s friends, school, other adults engaged in activities involving child.
Empty Shell Marriage - Devitalized Relationship
Husband and wife lack excitement or real interest in each other or marriage. Boredom and apathy. Serious arguments rare.
Empty Shell Marriage - Conflict Habituated Relationship
Husband and wife frequently quarrel in private or public. May put up facade of being compatible. Characterized by considerable conflict, tension, bitterness.
Empty Shell Marriage - Passive Congenial Relationship
Both partners unhappy but content with lives. Partners may have interests in common but generally insignificant. Spouses contribute little to one another’s real satisfactions. Little overt conflict.
Empty Shell Marriages (Children)
Children from these relationships are usually starved for love and reluctant to have friends visit.
Marriage Counselors use a Problem-Solving Approach
A) Problems are identified.
B) Alternative solutions are generated.
C) Merits and shortcomings of alternative solutions are evaluated.
D) Clients choose one or more alternatives to implement.
E) Extent to which problems are resolved is later assessed.
***Because spouses “own” their problems, they become the primary problem solvers.
Premarital Counseling Services
Designed for couples considering marriage to assess whether marriage is in best interest, and to prepare for realities of marriage.
Parents Without Partners (PWP)
Social group and organization that helps divorced people, unwed mothers, and stepparents.
Divorce Mediation
Helps divorcing spouses to resolve as amicably as possible, issues like dividing personal property, deciding custody, child support, and alimony arrangements.
Relationship Workshops and Encounter Couple Groups
Designed to help those who are dating or married to improve relationships by sharing concerns and improving communication.
Eight Categories of Elder Abuse
- Physical Abuse
- Psychological Abuse
- Financial Abuse
- Neglect
- Sexual Abuse
- Self-Neglect
- Abandonment
- Violating Personal Rights
Violence in Families - Changes in 1960s
Prior to 1960s, family was sacred institution and private domain.
In response to growing national concern, all states adopted child abuse and neglect reporting laws. Such laws are case-finding device.
Family Fights / Spouse Abuse
Single largest category of calls to police are family fights.
Husbands abused with same frequency of wives.
More than 10% of murder victims are killed by spouses.
Injuries from woman battering are more common than rape, mugging or car accidents.
Several studies found that many believe it’s appropriate for a husband to hit his wife every now and then.
Shelter Homes
Give abused women opportunity to flee.
Help with counseling, finding jobs, legal services, and “safety planning.”
Programs also in place for husbands - anger management, group therapy, etc.
Child Abuse and Neglect includes:
Physical Abuse.
Malnourishment, lack of proper shelter, poor clothing, poor sleeping arrangements, or supervision.
Denial of medical care.
Failure to attend school regularly.
Exploitation, overwork.
Exposure to unwholesome or demoralizing circumstances.
Sexual abuse.
Less frequent: emotional abuse and neglect/denial of experiences to allow child to feel loved, wanted, secure.
Battered Child Syndrome
George C. Curtis - abused children may “become tomorrow’s murderers and perpetrators of other crimes of violence.” Children who are have a high probability of becoming abusive parents.