SOC 1001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Monogamy, Bilateral Descent, Nuclear Family
Document Summary
Family serves six functions for society: 1) reproduction, 2) protection, 3) socialization, 4) regulation of sexual behavior, 5) affection and companionship, 6) provision of social status. Family reflects inequality in wealth and power found within society. In wide range of societies, husbands exercised power and authority within the family. View family as economic unit that contributes to social injustice. Urge social scientists and agencies to rethink notion that families in which no adult male is present are automatically cause for concern. Feminists stress need to investigate neglected topics in family studies. Focuses on microlevel of family and other intimate relationships. Interested in how individuals interact with each other, whether they are cohabiting partners or longtime married couples. Accordion families: when divorced sons and daughters often return to their parents. Boomerang kids: returning adult children, trend is an example of the increasing complexity of family life. Blended families: result of divorce and remarriage, almost the norm.
