Family

• Family– A group of people who are related

by marriage, blood or adoption– Often live together– Share economic resources

Family Systems• Nuclear Family

– Consists of one or both parents and their children

– This is the family form most recognized to Americans

Two Types of Nuclear Families1. Family of Orientation

– The nuclear family into which the person is born or adopted

– Family is composed of the individual and his/her siblings (brothers & sisters) and parents

Two Types of Nuclear Families2. Family of Procreation

– Occurs when an individual marries– Consists of an individual, his/her

spouse and their children

Family Systems• Extended Family

– When a nuclear family is embedded in a larger family group

– Consists of two or more generations• Kinship

– A network of people who are related by marriage, birth or adoption

– Can be organized into primary, secondary or tertiary groups

Family Systems• Primary are a person’s closest

relatives.– Examples (7)

• Mother• Father• Sister• Brother• Spouse• Daughter• Son

Family Systems• Secondary are the primary relatives

of an individual’s primary relatives.– Examples (30)

• Grandparents• Grandchildren• In-laws• Aunts• Uncles• Nieces• Nephews

Family Systems• Tertiary are the primary relatives of

an individual’s secondary relatives.– Examples (150)

• Great-Grandparents• Great-Grandchildren• Great Aunts• Great Uncles• Cousins

• Several people can occupy each category

Descent Patterns• Kinship can be traced through the

father’s, mother’s or both families• Patrilineal Descent

– Kinship through the father’s family– Patri meaning father in Latin– Lineal meaning line in Latin– This type of descent is common in

preindustrial societies in which men produced more valued resources

– Property is passed on from father to son

Descent Patterns• Matrilineal Descent

– Kinship through the mother’s family– Matri meaning mother in Latin– Lineal meaning line in Latin– Property is passed on from mother to

daughter– Rare

Descent Patterns• Bilateral Descent

– Kinship through both parents– Property can be inherited from either

side of the family– Most industrial societies practice

bilateral descent

Authority Patterns• Patriarchy

– Family where the father holds most of the authority

– Majority of societies are patriarchal• Matriarchy

– Family where the mother holds most of the authority

– VERY rare!

Authority Patterns• Egalitarian

– The mother and father share the authority

– Many industrialized countries are moving toward egalitarian authority

Functions of the Family1. Regulation of Sexual Activity

• Enforcement of some type of incest taboo• Norm forbidding sexual relations or

marriage between certain relatives• In the US, can’t marry parents,

siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces or nephews

• 19 states allow marriage between first cousins (6 more under special circumstances)

Functions of the Family2. Reproduction

• Societies must replace members who die or move away

• Some societies establish norms governing childbearing and child rearing

• Norms determine who is eligible to marry and to bear children, the number of children appropriate, and the rights and responsibilities of parents

Functions of the Family3. Socialization

• Children must be taught the ways of the society into which they were born

• Family is the first agent of socialization we encounter

Functions of the Family4. Economic and Emotional Security

• Most societies divide labor by gender and/or age

• Through division of labor, the family ensures that its members are fed, clothed and housed

• In dealing with emotional security, the family is expected to guide the individual’s psychological development and to provide him/her with a loving and caring environment