Ecology of the Family
Family Systems
Basic Structures
Basic Functions
Family Transitions
Families of Diverse Parents
Theory
Reproduction
Socialization/Education
Assignment of social roles
Economic support
Nurturance/Emotional support
Nuclear
Family of orientation
Family of procreation
Extended
Matriarchal
Patriarchal
Egalitarian
Divorce
husband, wife, their children
develops when one marries and has children
born into
relatives of nuclear family
mother is dominant authority
father is dominant authority
both sides of extended family equal
economically and emotionally dependent
Personal & Formal networks
Friends, neighbors/Professionals or government
Views the family as a whole structurally and organizationally and how members interact with one another
Child Custody Arrangements
Stepfamilies
Families of Adopted Children
Dual-Earner Families
Divorce Law
Not a single event/affects functions
Reduction in resources
New roles/responsibilities
New patterns of interaction
Reorganization of routines
Introduction of new relationships
Increase in remarriage & cohabitation
No-fault
Decision making power allocated
Money to support physical well-being
Caring and involvement/emotional well-being
Child rearing must continue
Changes in consumption & housing
Household chores
Emotional support diminished for parents
Child's Age & Divorce Effects
School Age
Adolescence
Less self-blame
Resentment
Often pawns
Burdened by painful memories
Self-blame
Heightened anxiety/aggression
Sadness, fear, feelings of deprivation & some anger
Difficulty focusing attention
More dependent, aggressive, whiny, demanding, unaffectionate, and disobedient
Lack of live-in gender-role model of one parent
Removal of marriage role models
Unrealistic expectations for future mates
Single-Parent Custody
Uniform Parentage Act
Joint Custody
Binuclear family - children are part of 2 homes due to divorce
Kin Custody
Legal issues
Psychosocial issues
Instant love
Abandonment
More resistance to father remarriage
Highest problems when children from both spouses
birth-order hierarchy shifts
compete for attention
new rules
New baby from remarriage
increased risk for divorce
Identity issues
Fear of abandonment
Painful reminders at birthday
Need to grieve for perceived loss
Dealing with unknown
Fantasies about birth parents
Maternal Employment/Child Well-Being
Lack of shared family time
Related to risky adolescent behavior
Improves child economic well-being
Personal stimulation for mother
Greater relationship with father
Greater sense of responsibility
Children have less stereotyped views of gender roles
Unmarried Parents
Interethnic (Racial)/Interfaith (Religious)
Same-Sex Parents
Challenges within and without
Macrosystem - political ideology (laws)
Exosystem - social services (policies)
Microsystem - community (attitudes)
Face more prejudice with interethnic
Cultural contrasts
Different values
Communication styles
Perceptions of gender roles
Parenting
Individualistic/Collectivist
Generally have more tolerance for diversity
Absence of community supports
Traditional rights and obligations not expected or implemented
Higher poverty
Lower academic performance
Emotional or behavioral problems
Substance abuse
Lesbians more common
Bisexual and transgendered
4% of adoptions are to LGBT
Chronosystem Influences
Macrosystem Influences
Socioeconomic Status
Social Class Differences
Social Class Socialization Theories
Upper Class
Middle Class
Lower Class
Underclass Children
Social Selection
Social Causation
Ethnic Orientation
Religious Orientation
Political
Foreign Policies
Domestic Policies
Immigration Policies
Economic
Technological
Ascribed Status
Family lineage, gender, birth order, skin color
Achieved Status
Education, occupation, income, place of residence
Mostly traditional societies
Mostly modern societies
More difficult for people to change their rank
Roles set in tradition
Achievements can change a person's ranking
SES exerts more influence on socialization than does race
Genes, personality, & physical traits
Operational Definition
Material
Human capital
Social capital
Knowledge & Skills/Education of Parents
Economic Resources/Financial/Education for Children
Connections in social network
Family Stress Model
Extended Investment Model
Economic difficulties
Upper class resources
Ascribed/Inherited
Children of color face obstacles
Gemeinschaft
Low context
Gesellschaft
High context
Communal, cooperative, close, intimate, informal
Associative, practical, objective, formal
Collectivism
Individualism
Gender roles
Sexual behavior
Marriage/Divorce
Birthrates
Morals/Attitudes
Protestant Ethic
Individualism, thrift, self-sacrifice, efficiency, personal responsibility, productivity
Immigrant children/fastest growing segment in US
WAR
Terrorism
Parental responsibility
Job Loss
Dual Incomes
Benefits: Health, jobs, education, safety, efficiency
Drawbacks: Busyness, multitasking, distraction, confusion, stress
New styles of communication
Additional parental supervision
FAMILY WORK
Build relationships/Family ties
Patriotism
Religion
Invisible Household Production
Transforms lives
Forges strong families
Build strong communities
Viewed as a commandment
Viewed as blessing
Includes childbearing
Viewed as service