Family and Household

Lecture Outline

What is the family? What is the difference between family

and household? What are some of the challenges of

family and household organization?

Family

In 1950, 60% of all U.S. households conformed to the nuclear family model.

Today, only 26% of U.S. households conform to the independent nuclear family ideal.

In the U.S. 28% of women have experienced domestic violence, and 10 are killed by their batterers every day.

Diagram: Independent Nuclear Family

Functions of the Family

Nurturance of children. Economic cooperation. Provide child with models from whom

they can learn gender appropriate roles.

Definition of the Family

A group composed of a woman and her dependent children, with at least one adult man joined through marriage or blood relationship.

In most societies, families constitute households or households are built around families.

Forms of the Family

Conjugal family – formed on the basis of marital ties

Consanguineal family – consists of related women, their brothers, and the women’s offsprings

Households

Basic residential units that implement: Economic production Consumption Inheritance Child rearing Shelter

Five Basic Residence Patterns

Patrilocal Matrilocal Ambilocal Neolocal Avunculocal

Diagram: Patrilocal Extended Family

Diagram: Avunculocal Residence

Family Organization and Problems

Polygamous families - potential conflict among spouses of the individual to whom they are married.

Polyandrous families - older husbands are apt to dominate the younger ones.

Family Organization and Problems

Extended families - decisions are made by an older individual whose views may not coincide with those of the younger family members.

Female-Headed Households

1970’s 45% households were nuclear families. 4.7% households were single parent families.1998 26% households were nuclear families. 18.2% households were single parent families. Nuclear families - husbands and wives must

work out their own solutions to the problems of living together and having children.

Homework

1. Read Chapter 10 – HavilandKinship and Descent

2. Study Household and Domestic Organization:

http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/anthropology/tutor/residence/toc.html