Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Lesson 04: Ecology of the Family (Family Systems (Family - According to…
Lesson 04: Ecology of the Family
Family Systems
Family
- According to George Murdock the classic (structural-functional) definition of a family is "a social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction. It includes adults of both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one more children (biological or adopted) of the sexually cohabiting adults."
Nuclear Family
- A family consisting of a husband and wife and their children.
Family of orientation
- The family into which one is born.
Family of procreation
- The family that develops when one marries and has children.
Extended Family
- Relatives of the nuclear family who are economically and emotionally dependent on each other.
Matriarchal family
- Family in which the mother has formal authority and dominance.
Patriarchal family
- Family in which the father has formal authority and dominance.
Egalitarian Family
- Family in which both sides of the extended family are regarded as equal.
Definition of Family
- The US bureau of the Census defines a family as two or more persons related by birth, marriage, or adoption, who reside together."
Basic Functions
Reproduction
- The family ensures that the society's population will be maintained; that is, a sufficient number of children will be born and cared for to replace the members who die.
Socialization/education
- The family ensures that the society's values, beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, skills, and techniques will be transmitted to the young.
Assignment of social roles
- The family provides an identify for its offspring (racial, ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, and gender roles). An identity involves behavior and obligations.
Economic support
- The family provides shelter, nourishment, and protection.
Nurturance/emotional support
- The family provides the child's first experience in social interaction. This interaction is intimate, nurturing, and enduring, thus providing emotional security for the child.
Divorce
According to Coontz, the origins of modern divorce patterns actually date back more than 200 years, to the historically unprecedented idea that marriage should be based on love.
Prior to the 70s, the law permitted divorce only if one spouse committed such serious marital misconduct as adultery, cruelty, or description.
Traditional divorce proceedings involved a determination of who was guilty and who was innocent. Child custody arrangements and financial settlements were intended to reward the innocent party and punish the guilty one.
Socialization/education
- Child rearing must continue; behavior must be monitored, values and morals imparted.
Assignment of social roles/authority
- Power for decision making within the family must be allocated and responsibilities for tasks assigned.
Economic Support/domestic responsibilities
- The family use obtain enough money to provide for the support of its members.
Nurturance/emotional support
- Caring and involvement toward one another are necessary so provide for the emotional well-being of family members.