1. family as a group (which performs functions for the society) 2. family as a network of relatives (by blood, marriage, adoption) who are mutually obligated to each other
Traditional= nuclear family of residence (where husband/father is the breadwinner, wife/mother is stay at home, no other relatives living with this family) New and non-traditional=dual earner, step family, blended family, single parent family, non-married couples, same sex couples, singlehood
Need to distinguish between an ideal family type and the empirical family type Ideal=cultural preferences specific to a society Empirical=the patterns that actually exist in a society
In addition,
Calling the nuclear family traditional is inaccurate Need to distinguish between the historical sequence of family types, and, Distinguish between the institutional and companionate (companionship) family types
family the same as household? family the same as the marriage? Family was male-headed Similar to European stem-family?
Family of Orientation (Origin)vs. Procreation Nuclear, Extended Descent: patrilineal, matrilineal, bilineal (bilateral)
Variations: Residence
Where is the newly-married couple expected to live? 1. Patrilocal=near grooms family 2. Matrilocal=near brides family 3. Bilocal=either brides or grooms family 4. Neo-local=neither (new, independent household)
Variations: Authority
Patriarchy=rule by eldest male Matriarchy=(does this really exist for a society, as an ideal..may be an empirical type) Equalitarian authority or companionship family type (companionate) *Note: may be departures from the ideal with patriarchy or male headed
Monogamy Polygamy: 1. Polygyny=one man married to a number of women 2. Polyandry=one woman married to a number of men (extremely rare. Husbands may be brothers)
1. By capture 2. By arrangement (parents with aid of matchmakers, relatives) (bride price or dowry) 3. Free choice
Institutional: marriage exists for some purpose (creating offspring, maintaining family economic status or family line etc_ Companionate: affection of partners is only reason behind marriage
Strong marriage de-emphasizes descent issues In era of weak marriages, descent line emphasized
Leveling off of divorce rate Most marry at some point 2/3rds claim happy Changes: employed mothers (dual earner households)