Marriage and Changing Marriage and Changing Family ArrangementsFamily Arrangements

Chapter 12Chapter 12

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Explain the functions of the family.Explain the functions of the family. Describe the major variations in family structure.Describe the major variations in family structure. Define marriage and describe its relationship to the Define marriage and describe its relationship to the

phenomenon of romantic love.phenomenon of romantic love. Describe the various rules governing marriage.Describe the various rules governing marriage. Explain the ways in which mate selection is not random.Explain the ways in which mate selection is not random. Summarize recent changes in the family as an institution.Summarize recent changes in the family as an institution. Explain the impact of changes in divorce and child-custody Explain the impact of changes in divorce and child-custody

laws.laws. Describe the various alternative family arrangements in Describe the various alternative family arrangements in

contemporary American society.contemporary American society.

The Nature of Family LifeThe Nature of Family Life

Murdock (1949): Definition of FamilyMurdock (1949): Definition of Family““A social group characterized by common A social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation, and residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction. It includes adults of both sexes, reproduction. It includes adults of both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one or approved sexual relationship, and one or more children, own or adopted, of the sexually more children, own or adopted, of the sexually cohabiting adults.”cohabiting adults.”

Too limited by contemporary standardsToo limited by contemporary standards

The Changing FamilyThe Changing Family

1960-72% of adults were married; 2010-1960-72% of adults were married; 2010-51%51%

1960-59% of 18-29 year olds were 1960-59% of 18-29 year olds were married; 2010-20%married; 2010-20%

More people are cohabitatingMore people are cohabitating Historically, the American family was quite Historically, the American family was quite

stablestable 1970s-changes became evident1970s-changes became evident

The Changing FamilyThe Changing Family

Marriage rate began to fall; divorce rates Marriage rate began to fall; divorce rates roserose

During next decade, “traditional” families During next decade, “traditional” families will account for two of three households.will account for two of three households.

Married couples will make up slightly more Married couples will make up slightly more than half of all households.than half of all households.

Social Functions of FamilySocial Functions of Family

Regulating sexual behaviorRegulating sexual behavior Patterning reproductionPatterning reproduction Organizing production and consumptionOrganizing production and consumption Socializing childrenSocializing children Providing care and protectionProviding care and protection Providing social statusProviding social status

Providing Care and ProtectionProviding Care and Protection

Not only food and shelter, but also help Not only food and shelter, but also help with problems and emotional supportwith problems and emotional support

Providing Social StatusProviding Social Status

Ascribed statuses: social class and ethnic Ascribed statuses: social class and ethnic identityidentity

Social class-the single biggest factor Social class-the single biggest factor affecting one’s lifeaffecting one’s life

Regulating Sexual BehaviorRegulating Sexual Behavior

Incest taboos-found in all societiesIncest taboos-found in all societies Approx. 30 states prohibit marriage of first Approx. 30 states prohibit marriage of first

cousinscousins

Organizing Production and Organizing Production and ConsumptionConsumption

Families consume food and other products Families consume food and other products as a social unit.as a social unit.

A society’s economic system and family A society’s economic system and family structures are closely related.structures are closely related.

Socializing ChildrenSocializing Children

Accept the lifestyle of the culture; skills; Accept the lifestyle of the culture; skills; valuesvalues

Especially important during childhood and Especially important during childhood and adolescenceadolescence

Functions of a FamilyFunctions of a Family

Family StructuresFamily Structures

Nuclear family – most basic form; married Nuclear family – most basic form; married couple with biological or adopted childrencouple with biological or adopted children

Polygamous family – central individual Polygamous family – central individual married to several spouses.married to several spouses.

Polygynous-male with more than one wifePolygynous-male with more than one wife Polyandrous-female with more than one husbandPolyandrous-female with more than one husband

Extended family – includes other Extended family – includes other generations and relations / cooperative generations and relations / cooperative unitunit

Systems ofSystems ofGenerational RelationshipsGenerational Relationships

Patrilineal SystemPatrilineal System Ties and dominance through male (father) Ties and dominance through male (father)

lineagelineage Matrilineal SystemMatrilineal System

Ties and dominance through female (mother) Ties and dominance through female (mother) lineage (less common)lineage (less common)

Bilateral systemBilateral system Ties through both male and female lineage Ties through both male and female lineage

(most common in United States)(most common in United States)

Defining MarriageDefining Marriage

““Socially recognized, legitimized, and Socially recognized, legitimized, and supported union of individuals of supported union of individuals of opposite sex”opposite sex”

Definition is evolving with changing recognition on Definition is evolving with changing recognition on a global basisa global basis

Components and RulesComponents and Rulesof Marriageof Marriage

Romantic loveRomantic love Idealization / a one and only / love at first Idealization / a one and only / love at first

sight / love conquers all / emotional sight / love conquers all / emotional indulgenceindulgence

Marriage rulesMarriage rules Endogamy or exogamyEndogamy or exogamy Monogamy or polygamyMonogamy or polygamy

Marital ResidenceMarital Residence

Marital residence rulesMarital residence rules govern where a govern where a couple settlescouple settles Patrilocal residencePatrilocal residence

• Couple settles near or within the husband’s father’sCouple settles near or within the husband’s father’s Matrilocal residenceMatrilocal residence

• Couple settles near or within the wife’s mother’s homeCouple settles near or within the wife’s mother’s home Bilocal residenceBilocal residence

• Couple chooses whether to live with the husband’s or wife’s Couple chooses whether to live with the husband’s or wife’s family of originfamily of origin

Neolocal residenceNeolocal residence• Couple may choose to live virtually anywhereCouple may choose to live virtually anywhere

Mate SelectionMate Selection

In the United States, this process is not In the United States, this process is not based on statistical probabilities of random based on statistical probabilities of random connection, but dominated by connection, but dominated by homogamyhomogamy

““The tendency of like to marry like”The tendency of like to marry like”

HomogamyHomogamy

Primary VariablesPrimary Variables

AgeAge

RaceRace

ReligionReligion

Social StatusSocial Status

The Transformation ofThe Transformation ofthe Familythe Family

Impact of industrializationImpact of industrialization Isolated nuclear familyIsolated nuclear family Weak ties to extensive kinship Weak ties to extensive kinship

networknetwork Increased movement between Increased movement between

classesclasses

The Evolved Nuclear FamilyThe Evolved Nuclear Family

Child-centered familyChild-centered family Companionate marriage (romantic love)Companionate marriage (romantic love) Increased equality for womenIncreased equality for women Decreased extended family and kinshipDecreased extended family and kinship Increased geographic mobilityIncreased geographic mobility Increased social mobilityIncreased social mobility Clear separation between work and leisureClear separation between work and leisure

Traditional Family DeclineTraditional Family Decline

Postponement of marriagePostponement of marriage Single-parent homesSingle-parent homes

Divorced or never-married parentDivorced or never-married parent Decline in marriage rateDecline in marriage rate

Cohabitation increaseCohabitation increase Childless marriageChildless marriage Household size declineHousehold size decline Impact of divorceImpact of divorce

Impact of DivorceImpact of Divorce

Social Process of DivorceSocial Process of Divorce

Changing divorce lawsChanging divorce laws Pre-1970Pre-1970

• Fault required for divorceFault required for divorce Post-1970Post-1970

• No-fault divorce dominatesNo-fault divorce dominates

Child custody issuesChild custody issues Pre-1970 preference for motherPre-1970 preference for mother

• Move toward balance todayMove toward balance today• Greater potential for joint custodyGreater potential for joint custody

Problems remainProblems remain

Family DiversityFamily Diversity

Growing single populationGrowing single population 27% of households consist of one person 27% of households consist of one person

Single-parent family statisticsSingle-parent family statistics National – 41% of births to unmarried womenNational – 41% of births to unmarried women African American – 72.5%African American – 72.5% Hispanic – 53.3%Hispanic – 53.3%

Gay and lesbian couplesGay and lesbian couples

The Future?The Future?

Social universals continueSocial universals continue MarriageMarriage DivorceDivorce

• Remarriage rate is highRemarriage rate is high

Family as institution remains valuedFamily as institution remains valued Family arrangements evolving to changing Family arrangements evolving to changing

lifestyleslifestyles Continued evolution and flexibility a Continued evolution and flexibility a

certaintycertainty