““CHOOSE YOUR CHOOSE YOUR PARENTS CAREFULLY”PARENTS CAREFULLY”

                        

Dr. Martha Piper, Former UBC President

“My life was shaped by my family”

© Dr. Francis Adu-Febiri, 2015

Presentation ContentsPresentation Contents

Stories of the FamilyStories of the FamilyDefinitions of the FamilyDefinitions of the FamilySociological claims about the FamilySociological claims about the FamilyApplication of sociological paradigms to Application of sociological paradigms to

the Familythe FamilyAddressing Family Issues: What Sociology Addressing Family Issues: What Sociology

SuggestsSuggests

STORIES OF THE FAMILY:STORIES OF THE FAMILY:Society’s Family StorySociety’s Family Story

Until after the 18Until after the 18thth century, in Western century, in Western societies relationship between husband societies relationship between husband and wife was not characterised by and wife was not characterised by emotional intimacy and parents did not emotional intimacy and parents did not love their children as special treasures. love their children as special treasures. Many non-western societies still maintain Many non-western societies still maintain this pre-18this pre-18thth century perspective of family century perspective of family relations (William Kephart 2013, p. 74). relations (William Kephart 2013, p. 74).

STORIES OF THE FAMILY:STORIES OF THE FAMILY:The Japan Family StoryThe Japan Family Story

He Averages 12-hour work days, followed by an obligatory He Averages 12-hour work days, followed by an obligatory round of drinks with co-workers and a long commute home. round of drinks with co-workers and a long commute home. She dutifully waits up for him to return and prepares breakfast She dutifully waits up for him to return and prepares breakfast in the mornings. The retirement rolls around and he discovers in the mornings. The retirement rolls around and he discovers he’s a stranger to his own family. The result is a phenomenon he’s a stranger to his own family. The result is a phenomenon Japanese are calling “vintage year divorce”, the fastest Japanese are calling “vintage year divorce”, the fastest growing component of a marital break-up rate that has doubled growing component of a marital break-up rate that has doubled since 1975. And reflecting larger changes in society, the since 1975. And reflecting larger changes in society, the divorces are more likely initiated by women, often after 20 divorces are more likely initiated by women, often after 20 years or more together. “Expectations are definitely changing. years or more together. “Expectations are definitely changing. Many people are putting their happiness first, and if they think Many people are putting their happiness first, and if they think they won’t find that in their marriage, they get out”, said Atsuko they won’t find that in their marriage, they get out”, said Atsuko Okano, 49, a divorcee and founder of a divorce counseling Okano, 49, a divorcee and founder of a divorce counseling service, Caratclub (Pearson 2004, p. B6). service, Caratclub (Pearson 2004, p. B6).

STORIES OF THE FAMILY:STORIES OF THE FAMILY:The Piper Family StoryThe Piper Family Story

Dr. Martha Piper, former UBC Dr. Martha Piper, former UBC president, has two daughters. Emily president, has two daughters. Emily is officially Dr. Emily Piper, 34, a is officially Dr. Emily Piper, 34, a consulting Psychologist…and consulting Psychologist…and maintains a private practice aside. maintains a private practice aside. Her younger sister is now Dr. Her younger sister is now Dr. Hannah Piper, 29, who, having Hannah Piper, 29, who, having graduated from Princeton (BSC) graduated from Princeton (BSC) and Harvard (MD) is in the midst of and Harvard (MD) is in the midst of a general surgical residency (Trek, a general surgical residency (Trek, Winter/Spring 2006, p. 21). Winter/Spring 2006, p. 21).

STORIES OF THE FAMILY:STORIES OF THE FAMILY:The Enin Family StoryThe Enin Family Story

In the next month, Kwasi Enin must make a tough In the next month, Kwasi Enin must make a tough decision: Which of the eight Ivy League universities decision: Which of the eight Ivy League universities should he attend this fall? A first-generation should he attend this fall? A first-generation American from Shirley, N.Y., the 17-year-old violist American from Shirley, N.Y., the 17-year-old violist and aspiring physician applied to all eight, from and aspiring physician applied to all eight, from Brown to Yale. The responses began rolling in over Brown to Yale. The responses began rolling in over the past few months, and by late last week when he the past few months, and by late last week when he opened an e-mail from Harvard, he found he'd been opened an e-mail from Harvard, he found he'd been accepted to every one. The feat is extremely rare, accepted to every one. The feat is extremely rare, say college counsellors. For most of the eight say college counsellors. For most of the eight schools, acceptance comes rarely, even among the schools, acceptance comes rarely, even among the USA's top students. At the top end, Cornell USA's top students. At the top end, Cornell University admitted only 14% of applicants. Harvard University admitted only 14% of applicants. Harvard accepted just 5.9%.accepted just 5.9%.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/31/ivy-league-admissions-college-university/7119531/?csp=usattumblr

STORIES OF THE FAMILY:STORIES OF THE FAMILY:The Enin Family StoryThe Enin Family Story

He ranks No. 11 in a class of 647 at William Floyd, a large He ranks No. 11 in a class of 647 at William Floyd, a large public school on Long Island's south shore. That puts him in public school on Long Island's south shore. That puts him in the top 2% of his class. His SAT score, at 2,250 out of 2,400 the top 2% of his class. His SAT score, at 2,250 out of 2,400 points, puts him in the 99th percentile for African-American points, puts him in the 99th percentile for African-American students. students.

He will also have taken 11 Advanced Placement courses by He will also have taken 11 Advanced Placement courses by the time he graduates this spring. He's a musician who the time he graduates this spring. He's a musician who sings in the school's a capella group and volunteers at sings in the school's a capella group and volunteers at Stony Brook University Hospital's radiology department. Stony Brook University Hospital's radiology department. Enin plans to study medicine, as did both of his parents. Enin plans to study medicine, as did both of his parents. They emigrated to New York from Ghana in the 1980s and They emigrated to New York from Ghana in the 1980s and studied at public colleges nearby. Both are nurses.studied at public colleges nearby. Both are nurses.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/31/ivy-league-admissions-college-university/7119531/?csp=usattumblr

STORIES OF THE FAMILY:STORIES OF THE FAMILY:The Rashonda Family StoryThe Rashonda Family Story

When she got pregnant the first time, at age 15, Rashonda When she got pregnant the first time, at age 15, Rashonda Jackson of Benton Harbor, Michigan, never considered Jackson of Benton Harbor, Michigan, never considered marriage. Nor did she give much thought to abortion or marriage. Nor did she give much thought to abortion or adoption. There was never really any doubt about what she adoption. There was never really any doubt about what she should do. With her parents’ blessing and that of her should do. With her parents’ blessing and that of her church, Rashonda had a baby boy, Shannon. It was church, Rashonda had a baby boy, Shannon. It was enough to gain her entry into the least exclusive club in enough to gain her entry into the least exclusive club in Benton Harbor. Single motherhood. This could be the Benton Harbor. Single motherhood. This could be the single parent capital of the United States, a struggling rust single parent capital of the United States, a struggling rust belt town where an astonishing eight out of every ten belt town where an astonishing eight out of every ten families are headed by a single parent. The vast majority families are headed by a single parent. The vast majority are single mothers, often in their teens or early 20s are single mothers, often in their teens or early 20s (Landsberg 1998, p. B1) (Landsberg 1998, p. B1)

STORIES OF THE FAMILY:STORIES OF THE FAMILY:Ferdinand Toinnes’ StoryFerdinand Toinnes’ Story

““The domestic The domestic Gemeinschaft or home Gemeinschaft or home life with its immeasurable life with its immeasurable influence upon the human influence upon the human soul, has been felt by soul, has been felt by everyone who ever everyone who ever shared it” (Ferdinand shared it” (Ferdinand Toinnes, 1887, cited in Toinnes, 1887, cited in Alan Sica, 2005, pp. 277).Alan Sica, 2005, pp. 277).

DEFINITIONS OF THE FAMILY DEFINITIONS OF THE FAMILY INSTITUTION (pp. 268 and 269 of INSTITUTION (pp. 268 and 269 of textbook)textbook)

DEFINITIONS OF THE FAMILY DEFINITIONS OF THE FAMILY INSTITUTIONINSTITUTION

MARRIAGE

BIRTH

FAMILY

ADOPTION

Patriarchal

Matriarchal

Monogamy

Polygamy

HomogamyHeterogamy

Should pets count as family?

Cohabitation

DEFINITIONS OF THE FAMILY DEFINITIONS OF THE FAMILY INSTITUTIONINSTITUTION

Social group whose members Social group whose members are related by marriage are related by marriage (affinity), and/or by birth (affinity), and/or by birth (descent), and/or by adoption (descent), and/or by adoption (legality) and are conscious of (legality) and are conscious of their relations.their relations.

MAJOR CONCEPTS MAJOR CONCEPTS DEFINING THE FAMILYDEFINING THE FAMILY

Family of OrientationFamily of Orientation Family of ProcreationFamily of Procreation MarriageMarriage DivorceDivorce PatriarchyPatriarchy MatriarchyMatriarchy Polygamy—Polygyny and PolyandryPolygamy—Polygyny and Polyandry MonogamyMonogamy HomogamyHomogamy HeterogamyHeterogamy PropinquityPropinquity EndogamyEndogamy ExogamyExogamy FemicideFemicide

FAMILY CONNECTIONS FAMILY CONNECTIONS

FAMILY INSTITUTION

ECONOMIC Experience

EDUCATIONALExperience

MEDICALExperience

RELIGIOUS Experience

MEDIAExperience

POLITICALExperience

SOCIOLOGICAL CLAIMS ABOUT THE SOCIOLOGICAL CLAIMS ABOUT THE FAMILY:FAMILY:Families are becoming more complexFamilies are becoming more complexFamilies are becoming more fragileFamilies are becoming more fragileFamilies are becoming smallerFamilies are becoming smallerFamilies are affected by other social forcesFamilies are affected by other social forcesFamilies have far-reaching impactsFamilies have far-reaching impacts

FAMILIES ARE BECOMING MORE FAMILIES ARE BECOMING MORE COMPLEXCOMPLEX

(Dr. (Dr. Lisa Strohschein, Associate Professor, University of Alberta. Presentation abstract, November 29, 2014 at Uvic)

GLOBAL DIVERSITY OF THE GLOBAL DIVERSITY OF THE FAMILYFAMILY

According to sociology, there is no “ideal, According to sociology, there is no “ideal, monolithic, standard or natural family”. monolithic, standard or natural family”. Rather, there is “a wide variety of family Rather, there is “a wide variety of family arrangements” (Bartle 2004: 9:1).arrangements” (Bartle 2004: 9:1).

A single, all encompassing model of family, A single, all encompassing model of family, especially the especially the nuclear familynuclear family of mama, papa of mama, papa and kids is not, and has never been, the ideal and kids is not, and has never been, the ideal or norm in any society for which we have any or norm in any society for which we have any hard facts (Ibid.: 9:3). hard facts (Ibid.: 9:3).

GLOBAL DIVERSITY OF THE GLOBAL DIVERSITY OF THE FAMILYFAMILY

Diverse Family Forms Polygamous (polygynous and polyandrous) families Nuclear families Fatherless family arrangements (in societies without

nuclear families such as Nayar of India, Many West Indies families, Israili Kibbutz (Barkan 2012).

Compound or Step families• One-Parent Families• Childless families; Child-free families; Zero-child

families• Cohabitation or Common Law Unions• GLBT and Queer Couples/families

GLOBAL DIVERSITY OF THE GLOBAL DIVERSITY OF THE FAMILYFAMILY

Family diversity complicated by the Family diversity complicated by the following patterns:following patterns:

1. Marriage Patterns1. Marriage Patterns2. Residential Patterns2. Residential Patterns3. Descent Patterns3. Descent Patterns4. Power and Authority Patterns4. Power and Authority Patterns

THE FAMILY: DIVERSITY AND THE FAMILY: DIVERSITY AND PATTERNSPATTERNS

© Adu-Febiri 2002

THE FAMILY: DIVERSITY AND THE FAMILY: DIVERSITY AND NEW PATTERNSNEW PATTERNS

1. Same-sex married couples1. Same-sex married couples2. Symmetrical Marriage2. Symmetrical Marriage3. More young adults living with their 3. More young adults living with their

parents in Western countriesparents in Western countries

MARRIAGEMARRIAGE

THE MARRIAGE MARKET: THE MARRIAGE MARKET: HomogamyHomogamy Usually an efficient marriage market exhibits positive Usually an efficient marriage market exhibits positive

assortative mating, where high-quality men [alpha males] assortative mating, where high-quality men [alpha males] are matched with high-quality women [alpha females], where are matched with high-quality women [alpha females], where medium-quality men [beta males] are matched with medium-medium-quality men [beta males] are matched with medium-quality women [beta females], and low-quality men [omega quality women [beta females], and low-quality men [omega males] are matched with low-quality women [omega males] are matched with low-quality women [omega females?].females?].

http://ca.askmen.com/dating/heidi_100/137_dating_girl.htmlhttp://ca.askmen.com/dating/heidi_100/137_dating_girl.html http://jezebel.com/how-to-tell-if-youre-an-alpha-beta-or-omega-female-1576443747http://jezebel.com/how-to-tell-if-youre-an-alpha-beta-or-omega-female-1576443747

MARRIAGEMARRIAGE

MARRIAGE PAYMENTS: MARRIAGE PAYMENTS: BridepriceBrideprice Becker’s Theory Becker’s Theory (1991): Where women have economic (1991): Where women have economic

value of their own they receive brideprice or bridewealth. value of their own they receive brideprice or bridewealth. The frequency and magnitude of brideprices should be The frequency and magnitude of brideprices should be greater when wives’ input into production (like greater when wives’ input into production (like agriculture) is relatively high and in societies with a high agriculture) is relatively high and in societies with a high incidence of polygyny, where there is greater competition incidence of polygyny, where there is greater competition by men for wives. This marriage matching framework by men for wives. This marriage matching framework can also explain a transition from brideprice to a dowry can also explain a transition from brideprice to a dowry as societies grow more complex (as societies grow more complex (Siwan Anderson 2007, Siwan Anderson 2007, Journal of Economic Perspectives—Volume 21, Number Journal of Economic Perspectives—Volume 21, Number 4—Fall 2007—Pages 151–174)4—Fall 2007—Pages 151–174)..

MARRIAGEMARRIAGE

MARRIAGE PAYMENTS: MARRIAGE PAYMENTS: DowryDowry Becker’s Theory Becker’s Theory (1991): Where women have less (1991): Where women have less

economic value their parents pay dowry: economic value their parents pay dowry: Suppose that Suppose that new wage-earning opportunities open up for men, while drawing women into the new wage-earning opportunities open up for men, while drawing women into the home. Women remain a homogenous group with less economic value, while home. Women remain a homogenous group with less economic value, while men become a heterogenous group differentiated by their wage-earning men become a heterogenous group differentiated by their wage-earning capabilities. As a result, brides compete amongst themselves for the more capabilities. As a result, brides compete amongst themselves for the more desirable grooms. Brides with wealthier fathers outbid poorer ones in the desirable grooms. Brides with wealthier fathers outbid poorer ones in the marriage market and award dowries to the grooms with the higher earning marriage market and award dowries to the grooms with the higher earning power. Thus, dowry payments emerge due to quality differentiation amongst power. Thus, dowry payments emerge due to quality differentiation amongst grooms as found in socially stratified societies and are consistent with a grooms as found in socially stratified societies and are consistent with a development process where women do not directly reap the benefits of development process where women do not directly reap the benefits of modernization and men are the primary recipients of the new economic modernization and men are the primary recipients of the new economic opportunities (opportunities (Siwan Anderson 2007, Journal of Economic Perspectives—Siwan Anderson 2007, Journal of Economic Perspectives—Volume 21, Number 4—Fall 2007—Pages 151–174)Volume 21, Number 4—Fall 2007—Pages 151–174)..

MARRIAGEMARRIAGE

MARRIAGE SQUEEZE: MARRIAGE SQUEEZE: This is “the effect on marriage of an imbalance between the This is “the effect on marriage of an imbalance between the

number of males and females” (Robert Schoen 1983: number of males and females” (Robert Schoen 1983: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2060901?http://www.jstor.org/stable/2060901?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents)seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents)

When women’s economic value surpasses that of men, less of When women’s economic value surpasses that of men, less of those women are married.those women are married. There is a declining marriage rate across the western world; There is a declining marriage rate across the western world;

and the fact that black women have made strides in terms of and the fact that black women have made strides in terms of earning power and education while black men, statistically, earning power and education while black men, statistically, have not, is a powerful explanation (Banks 2012).have not, is a powerful explanation (Banks 2012).

FAMILIES ARE BECOMING MORE FAMILIES ARE BECOMING MORE FRAGILE:FRAGILE:Declining Marital RatesDeclining Marital RatesDeclining Fertility RatesDeclining Fertility Rates Increased Divorce Rates Increased Divorce Rates

(Dr. (Dr. Lisa Strohschein, Associate Professor, University of Alberta. Presentation abstract, November 29, 2014, at Uvic)

DECLINING MARRIAGE RATESDECLINING MARRIAGE RATES

There is a declining marriage rate across the There is a declining marriage rate across the western world western world (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/201(http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/02/10/ralph-richard-banks.html)2/02/10/ralph-richard-banks.html)

Japan's Institute of Population and Social Security Japan's Institute of Population and Social Security reports an astonishing 90% of young women reports an astonishing 90% of young women believe that staying single is "preferable to what believe that staying single is "preferable to what they imagine marriage to be like“ they imagine marriage to be like“ (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/20/young-people-japan-stopped-having-sex).(http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/20/young-people-japan-stopped-having-sex).

DECLINING MARRIAGE RATESDECLINING MARRIAGE RATES

Japan's 20-somethings are the age group Japan's 20-somethings are the age group to watch. Most are still too young to have to watch. Most are still too young to have concrete future plans, but projections for concrete future plans, but projections for them are already laid out. According to the them are already laid out. According to the government's population institute, women government's population institute, women in their early 20s today have a one-in-four in their early 20s today have a one-in-four chance of never marrying. Their chances chance of never marrying. Their chances of remaining childless are even higher: of remaining childless are even higher: almost 40% (Ibid.).almost 40% (Ibid.).

DECLINING MARRIAGE RATESDECLINING MARRIAGE RATES

In Canada, unmarried people outnumber In Canada, unmarried people outnumber legally married for the first time (Statistics legally married for the first time (Statistics Canada 2006).Canada 2006).

DECLINING MARRIAGE RATESDECLINING MARRIAGE RATES

““Black women have become the most unmarried Black women have become the most unmarried population in American society” (Banks 2012).population in American society” (Banks 2012).

““Is Marriage for White People?”Is Marriage for White People?”

The premise of his book is controversial, The premise of his book is controversial, but Banks, who is black, says it comes in but Banks, who is black, says it comes in response to a number of socio-economic response to a number of socio-economic factors. Namely, the declining marriage factors. Namely, the declining marriage rate across the western world and the fact rate across the western world and the fact that black women have made strides in that black women have made strides in terms of earning power and education terms of earning power and education while black men, statistically, have not while black men, statistically, have not (Banks 2012).(Banks 2012).

““Is Marriage for White People?”Is Marriage for White People?”

““Black women have become the most unmarried population in Black women have become the most unmarried population in American society because of American society because of a whole set of structural factors, a whole set of structural factors, that black men are not doing very well is the chief onethat black men are not doing very well is the chief one,” said ,” said Banks (2012), who teaches at Stanford Law School.Banks (2012), who teaches at Stanford Law School.

““The problem is not the choices or the preferences of black The problem is not the choices or the preferences of black women, the problem is the pool of men," he said. "Black men women, the problem is the pool of men," he said. "Black men have not kept pace with black women”, have not kept pace with black women”,

The smaller pool of black men won’t be the problem The smaller pool of black men won’t be the problem outside the strictures of racialization and endogamy. The outside the strictures of racialization and endogamy. The issue is that issue is that marrying black is not the preference of men marrying black is not the preference of men from the other racial groups.from the other racial groups.

(Adu-Febiri 2012). (Adu-Febiri 2012).

Canadian Divorce RateCanadian Divorce Rate

4 in 10 first marriages end in divorce.4 in 10 first marriages end in divorce. According to Statistics Canada (2010), about 38 per According to Statistics Canada (2010), about 38 per

cent of all marriages taking place in 2004 will have cent of all marriages taking place in 2004 will have ended in divorce by 2035. The total divorce rate was ended in divorce by 2035. The total divorce rate was down slightly from its peak of about 41 per cent in the down slightly from its peak of about 41 per cent in the mid 1980s, but slightly higher than the rate of about 37 mid 1980s, but slightly higher than the rate of about 37 per cent recorded in the mid 1990s.per cent recorded in the mid 1990s.

Newfoundland and Labrador had the lowest rate of Newfoundland and Labrador had the lowest rate of divorce at 21.6 per cent — while Quebec had the divorce at 21.6 per cent — while Quebec had the highest at 48.4 per cent (Ibid.).highest at 48.4 per cent (Ibid.).

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2010/10/04/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2010/10/04/vanier-study004.htmlvanier-study004.html

Top 5 Reasons Couples Separate or Top 5 Reasons Couples Separate or Divorce Divorce

1. Different Values and Interests.1. Different Values and Interests.2. Abuse—Physical and Emotional.2. Abuse—Physical and Emotional.3. Alcohol and Drugs.3. Alcohol and Drugs.4. Infidelity.4. Infidelity.5. Career Related Conflict. 5. Career Related Conflict.

IMPACT OF DIVORCEIMPACT OF DIVORCE

Negative for childrenNegative for children: : ““Parental conflict and separation have a Parental conflict and separation have a

negative lasting effect on children” (Baker negative lasting effect on children” (Baker 2004: 178; Demo, Fine & Ganong 2000; 2004: 178; Demo, Fine & Ganong 2000; Wallerstein, Lweis & Blakeslee 2002; Brym & Wallerstein, Lweis & Blakeslee 2002; Brym & Lie 2015, p. 202). This is true only in divorce Lie 2015, p. 202). This is true only in divorce situations of a) a high level of parental situations of a) a high level of parental conflict, b) s decline in living standards, and conflict, b) s decline in living standards, and c) the absence of a parent (Amato & Keith c) the absence of a parent (Amato & Keith 1991, Resnick et al 1997, Jekielek 1998)1991, Resnick et al 1997, Jekielek 1998)

IMPACT OF DIVORCEIMPACT OF DIVORCE Specific Negative Effects: Specific Negative Effects: 1. Lower educational attainment1. Lower educational attainment 2. Behavioral problems2. Behavioral problems 3. Delinquency3. Delinquency 4. Leaving home earlier4. Leaving home earlier 5. Premarital pregnancy for girls5. Premarital pregnancy for girls 6. Less likely to be happy6. Less likely to be happy 7. More likely to suffer health problems, depend on 7. More likely to suffer health problems, depend on

welfare, and earn low incomeswelfare, and earn low incomes 8. Enter adulthood worried, underachieving, self-8. Enter adulthood worried, underachieving, self-

depreciating, and sometimes angry young men and depreciating, and sometimes angry young men and women. women.

9. Higher divorce rate when they marry9. Higher divorce rate when they marry

IMPACT OF DIVORCEIMPACT OF DIVORCE

Positive for children: Positive for children: 1. Children in stable lone-parent 1. Children in stable lone-parent

families are better off than those in families are better off than those in conflict-ridden two-parent families.conflict-ridden two-parent families.

2. Children of employed lone mothers 2. Children of employed lone mothers accept egalitarian gender rolesaccept egalitarian gender roles

Positive for the EconomyPositive for the Economy, according to , according to functionalism.functionalism.

THE DARK SIDE OF THE FAMILY:

1. Divorce1. Divorce2. Remarriage and Stepfamilies 2. Remarriage and Stepfamilies 3. Non-physical abuses in the Family3. Non-physical abuses in the Family4. 4. Family Violence: physical abuse, Family Violence: physical abuse,

battering, rape, incest:battering, rape, incest:Violence against women Violence against women Violence against ChildrenViolence against Children

Intimate Femicide (p. 287 of textbook) Intimate Femicide (p. 287 of textbook)

FAMILIES ARE BECOMING SMALLERFAMILIES ARE BECOMING SMALLER (Dr. (Dr. Lisa Strohschein, Associate Professor, University of Alberta. Presentation

abstract, November 29, 2014, at Uvic)

DECLINING FERTILITYDECLINING FERTILITY

Fertility rate, total (births per woman) Fertility rate, total (births per woman) Total fertility rate represents the number of Total fertility rate represents the number of

children that would be born to a woman if she children that would be born to a woman if she were to live to the end of her childbearing were to live to the end of her childbearing years and bear children in accordance with years and bear children in accordance with current age-specific fertility rates. current age-specific fertility rates.

http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.TFRT.INSP.DYN.TFRT.IN

DECLINING FERTILITYDECLINING FERTILITY

Social ClassGender“Race”; CultureAge; Religion; Education Sexual orientationAbility/disabilityInteraction patternEconomy; Technology

LoveCourtship/DatingMarriage practices & RateFertility & ChildbirthChild rearingQuality of relationshipDivorce rateConflicts & abuses

Postponed marriageCommuter marriage

Symmetrical MarriageUnmarried couple

Unmarried mothers or fathersMore married women joining the workforce

Homosexual marriageMarriage squeeze

Child-free family; Zero-child familiesBlended family

Equal husband-wife relationshipHigh divorce rate

Overburdened women and displaced men

PROPINQUITY

HOMOGAMY

SOCIAL FORCES FAMILY & MARRIAGE

TRENDS IN THE FAMILY

THE PATTERN OF THE FAMILY INSTITUTION

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVESTHEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES

THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE FAMILY THE FAMILY

Functionalist Paradigm: HOMEOSTASIS Functionalist Paradigm: HOMEOSTASIS Families perform functions that are important for the stability Families perform functions that are important for the stability

or homeostasis of society.or homeostasis of society. The Bright Side of the FamilyThe Bright Side of the Family Functions of Family of Orientation and Family of Functions of Family of Orientation and Family of

Procreation Procreation 1. Socialization: transmitting and enforcing culture.1. Socialization: transmitting and enforcing culture.2. Gender division of labour: Complementary 2. Gender division of labour: Complementary

Roles produce efficiency. Roles produce efficiency. Expressive Role for Expressive Role for women and Instrumental Role for men.women and Instrumental Role for men.

3. Regulation of sexual activity.3. Regulation of sexual activity.4. Placement: Provides social status.4. Placement: Provides social status.5. Security: Material, Social and Emotional.5. Security: Material, Social and Emotional.

THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE FAMILYTHE FAMILY

Social Conflict Paradigm: COMPETITION & Social Conflict Paradigm: COMPETITION & INEQUALITY:INEQUALITY:

The Dark Underside of the FamilyThe Dark Underside of the Family Inequality and the Family:Inequality and the Family: The social-conflict approach focuses on how The social-conflict approach focuses on how

competition for wealth and power in the political competition for wealth and power in the political economy creates inequalities in marriage and economy creates inequalities in marriage and families. families.

Within families, the unequal distribution of wealth Within families, the unequal distribution of wealth and power among women, men and children and power among women, men and children contributes to contributes to conflict and violence conflict and violence (spouse (spouse abuse and child abuse).abuse and child abuse).

THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE FAMILYTHE FAMILY

Interactionist Paradigm: Interactionist Paradigm: Human Agency Human Agency and and Definition of the Situation—Looking-Definition of the Situation—Looking-glass Self: glass Self:

Bright Side and/or Dark Underside?: “It Bright Side and/or Dark Underside?: “It depends”.depends”.

1. Symbolic-Interaction1. Symbolic-Interaction The family is a symbol and individual members The family is a symbol and individual members

use their human agency to define it subjectively use their human agency to define it subjectively and interact with it accordingly. Hence the and interact with it accordingly. Hence the varying experiences and perceptions of different varying experiences and perceptions of different family members about family and marriage.family members about family and marriage.

THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE FAMILYTHE FAMILY

FEMINIST PARADIGM: FEMINIST PARADIGM: Patriarchy: Gender inequality and Patriarchy: Gender inequality and oppression in marriage & familyoppression in marriage & family

The Dark Underside of the Family: The Dark Underside of the Family: Patriarchal ideologies maintain the sexual and economic Patriarchal ideologies maintain the sexual and economic

subordination of women. subordination of women. a) Usually wife takes husband’s name, family residence a) Usually wife takes husband’s name, family residence

defined by husband’s place of work, and the standard of defined by husband’s place of work, and the standard of living dictated by the male’s income.living dictated by the male’s income.

b) Despite the fact that women have increased their b) Despite the fact that women have increased their participation in the paid labor force they still do most of participation in the paid labor force they still do most of the housework and child rearing.the housework and child rearing.

c) Unequal distribution of wealth between men and c) Unequal distribution of wealth between men and women fosters economic dependence of women.women fosters economic dependence of women.

d) Violence against mothers, wives, sisters and d) Violence against mothers, wives, sisters and daughters. daughters.

ADDRESSING FAMILY ISSUES:What Sociology Suggests

1. Families Living in Poverty: Government financial support, vocational training and

financial aid for schooling for women, early childhood visitation and intervention programs, programs providing nutrition and medical care (Cherlin 2009).

2. Family Violence: Reduce poverty, reduce gender inequality, change

male gender role socialization, educational campaign against child spanking (Barkan 2012).

ADDRESSING FAMILY ISSUES:What Sociology Suggests

3. Same Sex Marriage:Education about the fact that same sex

marriage does not threaten the stability of heterosexual marriage or the welfare of children (Barkan 2012).

4. DivorceReduce poverty, increase economic equality,

encourage homosocial marriages, prevent abuse (Barkan 2012).