Chapter 3 Ecology of the Family
Family Systems Theory views family as a whole structure organization and interaction between members. Used by therapists to understand how families carry out basic functions
A family is a microsystem
George Murdock definition of FAMILY "A social group characterized by common residence, economic and reproduction. It includes adults of both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship and one or more children of the sexually cohabitating adults."
US Bureau of census defines family "two or more persons related by birth, marriage, or adoption who reside together"
Nuclear family: husband, wife and their children
Family of Orientation The family into which one is born.
Family of Procreation When one marries and has children
Extended family Relatives economically and emotionally dependent. Main function is support.
Matriarchal: Some ethnic groups emphasize the mother's side of the family as having formal authority and dominance, i.e. The Royal Family of Great Britain headed by Queen Elizabeth II
Patriarchal: The father's side of the family having formal authority and dominance
more common that matriarchal some example Biblical Stories, Roman classics, Shakespeare. The Godfather, The sound of Music or TV series Modern Family
Egalitarian: Both sides are regarded equally as in the United States
Personal Network: In the absence of extended family some families turn to friends, coworkers etc for support.
In the absence of a Personal Network people turn to Formal Network of society professionals or government agencies for support. Influenced by ploitics, economics, culture, and technology.
3-2 Family Systems: Basic Functions Reproduction. Socialization/Education. Assignment of Social Roles. Economic Support. Nurturance/Emotional Support.
3-3 Family Traditions: Structural/Functional Changes Chronosystem influences: Industrial Revolution, birth control, welfare reform, no-fault divorce laws.
Family composition influenced by biological factors (fertility, age, health), cultural or religious beliefs, psychological factors (stress), and social factors (economics),. Changes in family composition can include the addition of family members, removal of family members, or children becoming adults and moving out.
Divorce and Famiy Dynamics Child Custody Arrangements.
Binuclear Family Children are part of two homes and two family groups.
click to edit
3-4 Families of Diverse Parents unmarried, interethnic, interfaith, and same-sex
Marriage is a legal contract with certain rights and obligations.
Macrosystems Influences on Families and Children: Socioeconomic Status socioeconomic status (SES) one's rank or position within a society, based on social and economic factors.
achieved status education, occupation, income and/or place of residence determines an individual's class The United States is an example of a society with an achieved status philosiphy.
ascribed status family lineage, gender, irth order, skin color determines a person's class.
3-5a Social Class Differences Upper Class, Middle Class, Lower Class, Underclass
3-5b Social Class Socialization Theories operational definitions: contains terms identifiable and can be researched. Material (financial capital), Human capital (knowledge and skills, Social capital (connections to, and the status and power of, individuals in one's social network.
Social Selection Theoretical Model of Socioeconomics individual characteristics of parents with predict their degree of achievement in terms of educational attainment, occupational status, and income. Parents' genes rather than SES that ultimtely influence the life experience of the children (Mayer, 1997)
Social Causation Theoretical Model of Socioeconomics Social Class affects socialization. 2 Major Social Causation-Family Stress Model (FSM) economic difficulties have an adverse effect on parents' emotions in turn effecting childrens' socialization.
Extended investment model (EIM) the resources of parents from a higher socioeconomic status are greater.
3-6 Macrosystem Influences on Families: Ethnic Orientation Children of color face more obstacles than their white counterparts. Obstacles include access to quality health care, education, safe neighborhoods, adequate support from communities where they live.
Gemeinschaft groups: communal, cooperative, close, intimate, and informal interpersonal relationships. Interpersonal relationships-communal cooperative, close, intimate and informal. Authority patterns-autocratic, established hierarchy with ascribed rights and obligations dispenses social sanctions and has political control. (collectivism spectrum.)
Gesellschaft groups-associative, practical, objective and formal interpersonal relationships
Interpersonal relationships-associative, practical, objective and formal.
Authoirty patterns-Democratic, public discussions and social sanctions are established by consensus; political control, fairness, and equal rights are emphasized. (individualism spectrum)
3-6a Cultural Orientation and Socialization differences norms-rules patterns, standards that express cultural values and reflect how individuals are supposed to behave.
5 questions that help our understanding of cultural diversity and socialization.1) How do humans relate to each other? 2) What is the significant time dimension 3) What is the valued personality type? 4)What is hte relationship of humans to nature? 5) What are the innate predispositions of humans?
3-7 Macrosystems Influences on Families: Religious Orientation Religion-unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, uniting into a single moral community all those who adhere to those beliefs and practices (Durkheim, 1947, p. 47)
3-8 Chronosystem Influences of Families: Political a. Immigration policies, b. foreign policies, c. domestic policies
3-9 Chronosystem Influences of Families: Economic 3-10 Chronosystem Influences of Families: Technological. 3-11 Meeting the challenge of Change: Family Empowerment "Change in itself is not good or bad; how we react to it determines its worth. (Selye 1956) Stress is any demand that exceeds a person's ability to cope (Honig, 1986) Empowerment enabling individuals to have control over resources affecting. helping them to better cope with stress.