Family and CultureFamily and Culture : : Definitions and UniversalityDefinitions and Universality

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Objectives of this powerpointObjectives of this powerpoint

After viewing this slide show you should be aware of:

Why the family is important in acquiring culture.

How the family may be defined.

Is the family universal?

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Basic Ideas About The FamilyBasic Ideas About The Family

Sociologists study the family because it is the primary socialization agency of society.

Sociologists study the family because it is the primary socialization agency of society.

It forms one of the central experiences of an individual’s life - as a child and most adults through parenthood.

It forms one of the central experiences of an individual’s life - as a child and most adults through parenthood.

The family is the place where we are most likely to be ourselves.

The family is the place where we are most likely to be ourselves.

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Our Task in Studying the FamilyOur Task in Studying the Family

To explore the meanings of family life to its members.

To explore the meanings of family life to its members.

To understand the role of the family in acquiring culture.

To understand the role of the family in acquiring culture.

To ask is the family in decline and dying?

To ask is the family in decline and dying?

To recognize positive and negative features of family life

To recognize positive and negative features of family life

To the ways in which the family is changing.

To the ways in which the family is changing.

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Defining the FamilyDefining the Family

Household refers to the place of domesticity.

Household refers to the place of domesticity.

‘A group of persons directly linked by kin connections, the adult members of which assume responsibility for caring for children’.

‘A group of persons directly linked by kin connections, the adult members of which assume responsibility for caring for children’.

Anthony Giddens defines the family as:Anthony Giddens defines the family as:

Kinship refers to relationships based on biological or marital ties.

Kinship refers to relationships based on biological or marital ties.

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What Proportion of Households What Proportion of Households Contain Families Like This?Contain Families Like This?

Just 21% of households in 2005!

Just 21% of households in 2005!

Married couples with children form just 18% of all households.

Married couples with children form just 18% of all households.

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Murdock and Goode on the Nuclear Murdock and Goode on the Nuclear FamilyFamily

George Murdock (1949, pictured left) argued that the basic family unit across the world is the nuclear comprised of a mother, a father and their offspring.

George Murdock (1949, pictured left) argued that the basic family unit across the world is the nuclear comprised of a mother, a father and their offspring.

William Goode (1963) argued that the worldwide trend is to move towards the Western model of the nuclear family.

William Goode (1963) argued that the worldwide trend is to move towards the Western model of the nuclear family.

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Alternatives to the Traditional Alternatives to the Traditional Family - PolygamyFamily - Polygamy

In Britain we practice monogamy (marriage involving only two people of the opposite sex).

In Britain we practice monogamy (marriage involving only two people of the opposite sex).

Polygamy is marriage that involves at least three people.Polygamy is marriage that involves at least three people.

Polygyny is where a man can have more than one wife.

Polygyny is where a man can have more than one wife.

Polyandry is where a woman can have more than one husband

Polyandry is where a woman can have more than one husband

A common practice in Britain today is serial monogamy (married to several people over a lifetime, but one at a time)

A common practice in Britain today is serial monogamy (married to several people over a lifetime, but one at a time)

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The Nayar TribeThe Nayar Tribe

Kathleen Gough (1972) describes how women bore children to up to 12 ‘Sandbanham’ husbands.

Kathleen Gough (1972) describes how women bore children to up to 12 ‘Sandbanham’ husbands.

Biological fathers took no responsibility for their upbringing.

Biological fathers took no responsibility for their upbringing.

Instead the mother’s brothers were economically responsible for her children.

Instead the mother’s brothers were economically responsible for her children.

This can reflect some families in contemporary society.

This can reflect some families in contemporary society.

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Oneida CommunityOneida Community (Boston USA) Boston USA) 18481848

The Oneida Community was founded by a Christian preacher, John Humphrey Noyes.

The Oneida Community was founded by a Christian preacher, John Humphrey Noyes.

There was group marriage with children raised communally.

There was group marriage with children raised communally.

Sexual activity was allowed among any agreeable members.

Sexual activity was allowed among any agreeable members.

Only those considered suitable were allowed to reproduce.

Only those considered suitable were allowed to reproduce.

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Russian ExperimentRussian ExperimentFollowing the Russian Revolution of 1917, a deliberate attempt was made to destroy the traditional family.

Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, a deliberate attempt was made to destroy the traditional family.

Nurseries, launderettes and eating canteens were introduced, thus freeing women from domestic work.

Nurseries, launderettes and eating canteens were introduced, thus freeing women from domestic work.

Marriage and divorce were abolished.Marriage and divorce were abolished.

However, children became psychologically disturbed by the instability as parents went through many partners.

However, children became psychologically disturbed by the instability as parents went through many partners.

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Kibbutz System (Israel)Kibbutz System (Israel) Today about 4-5% of Israel’s population live in a kibbutz.

Today about 4-5% of Israel’s population live in a kibbutz.

Children were generally raised apart from their parents in ‘age-groups’,

Children were generally raised apart from their parents in ‘age-groups’,

Children spent ‘family time’ each evening and weekend with their biological parents.

Children spent ‘family time’ each evening and weekend with their biological parents.

Today most kibbutz children eat and sleep with their parents

Today most kibbutz children eat and sleep with their parents

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Black Matrifocal FamiliesBlack Matrifocal Families

Within African-Caribbean communities families with absent fathers is common.

Within African-Caribbean communities families with absent fathers is common.

However, these are just as much a family as any other lone-parent family.

However, these are just as much a family as any other lone-parent family.

As such they are different from the traditional family, but are they just a variation of the family?

As such they are different from the traditional family, but are they just a variation of the family?

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CommunesCommunesSince the mid-1970s, the number of communes in Britain has halved from 100 to around 50.

Since the mid-1970s, the number of communes in Britain has halved from 100 to around 50.

Communes vary in structure and liberality.

Communes vary in structure and liberality.

Whilst there is an element of sharing, usually the family unit is embodied within the wider community.

Whilst there is an element of sharing, usually the family unit is embodied within the wider community.

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Is the Nuclear Family Is the Nuclear Family Universal?Universal?Diane Gittins (1993) suggests it is only possible to talk of relationships as universal.

Diane Gittins (1993) suggests it is only possible to talk of relationships as universal.

Barrett and McIntosh (1991) stress that it is the idea of the nuclear family as universal that is the significant fact.

Barrett and McIntosh (1991) stress that it is the idea of the nuclear family as universal that is the significant fact.

Robert Chester argues taking ‘snapshots’ of household types is misleading. Over the life-cycle the most people live in families.

Robert Chester argues taking ‘snapshots’ of household types is misleading. Over the life-cycle the most people live in families.

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ConclusionsConclusions

The family is defined as people tied by relationships based on blood, marriage, cohabitation and adoption.

George Murdock sees the nuclear family at heart of all families.

William Goode sees the worldwide trend is to move towards the western model of the nuclear family.

There are many examples that challenge universality. These include anthropological examples like the historical

Nayar tribe.

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Conclusions (continued)Conclusions (continued) There have been deliberate attempts to produce collective-

based families like the Oneida Community. The Russian ‘experiment’ is important as it shows how

significant the family is to stability in society. The Kibbutz system of Israel is not a real alternative to the

family. Diane Gittins argues that because there is such variability

within societies, it is difficult to define the family as universal only relationships.

Chester argues ‘snapshots’ of households conceals the importance of family over people’s life-cycle.

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