CHAPTER 11 - FAMILIES AND INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS MULTIPLE CHOICE SECTION 1. What constitutes a “family” has been widely debated. For many years, the standard sociological definition of family was __________. A. a social network of people based on common ancestry, marriage, or adoption B. a group of people who are related to one another by bonds of blood, marriage, or adoption and who live together, form an economic unit, and bear and raise children C. a group of people which consist of a husband and wife, children from previous marriages, and children (if any) from the new marriage D. a social network of people into which a person is born, composed of relatives, parents and children who live in the same household Answer: B 2. To more accurately reflect the changes in family life, the textbook provides a more encompassing definition of what constitutes a family. Accordingly, the textbook defines family as __________. A. a social network of people into which a person is born, composed of relatives, parents and children who live in the same household B. a group of people which consist of a husband and wife, children from previous marriages, and children (if any) from the new marriage C. a relationship in which people live together with commitment, form an economic unit and care for any young, and consider their identity to be significantly attached to the group D. a social network of people based on common ancestry, marriage, or adoption Answer: C 3. In preindustrial societies, the primary form of social organization is through __________, which refers to a social network of people based on common ancestry, marriage, or adoption. A. family B. lineage C. kinship D. heritage Answer: C 4. Regarding kinship, which of the following statements is false? A. In preindustrial societies, the primary form of social organization is through kinship ties. B. Kinship networks lead to conflict as people compete for basic necessities of life. C. Kinship systems serve as a means by which property is transferred, goods are produced and distributed, and power is allocated. D. In industrial societies, other social institutions fulfil some of the functions previously taken care of by the kinship network. Answer: B 5. __________ are responsible primarily for regulating sexual activity, socializing children, and providing affection and companionship for family members. A. Preindustrial families B. Industrial families C. Hunting and gathering families D. Contemporary families Answer: D 6. The __________ is the family into which a person is born and in which early socialization usually takes place. A. family of orientation B. nuclear family C. family of procreation D. extended family Answer: A 7. Although most people are related to members of their __________ by blood ties, those who are adopted have a legal tie that is patterned after a blood relationship. A. family of procreation B. extended family C. family of orientation D. blended family Answer: C 8. The __________ is the family that a person forms by having or adopting children. A. blended family B. family of orientation C. nuclear family D. family of procreation Answer: D 9. Both legal and blood ties are found in the __________. The relationship between a husband and wife is based on legal ties; however, the relationship between a parent and child may be based on either blood ties or legal ties, depending on whether the child has been adopted. A. nuclear family B. family of procreation C. blended family D. family of orientation Answer: B 10. According to sociologist Judy Root Aulette, “families we choose” include blood ties and legal ties, but they also include __________, persons who are not actually related by blood but who are accepted as family members. A. informal kin B. secondary kin C. fictive kin D. generalized kin Answer: C 11. The number of children living with grandparents and no parent in the home increased by ___ percent from 1990 to 2000. A. 20 B. 50 C. 70 D. 85 Answer: B 12. ___ in ___ preschoolers in the U.S. has a mother in the paid labor force. A. One / two B. One / three C. Two / four D. Two / five Answer: A 13. Which age group is more likely to cohabit? A. 18 - 25 B. 35 - 55 C. those under 45 D. those over 60 Answer: C 14. Which statement below is false? A. The marriage rate has gone down since 1960. B. The number of children living in extreme poverty increased in the 1990s. C. Adult children of divorced parents are more likely to end their own marriages. D. Couples who already have children at the beginning of their marriage are more likely to divorce than those who do not have children. Answer: C 15. The __________ refers to family units that are composed of relatives in addition to parents and children who live in the same household. A. blended family B. conventional family C. extended family D. nuclear family Answer: C 16. __________ often include grandparents, uncles, aunts, or other relatives who live close to the parents and children, making it possible for family members to share resources. A. Blended families B. Extended families C. Conventional families D. Nuclear families Answer: B 17. In horticultural and agricultural societies, __________ are extremely important. Having a large number of family members participate in food production may be essential for survival. A. nuclear families B. blended families C. conventional families D. extended families Answer: D 18. With the advent of industrialization and urbanization, maintaining the __________ family pattern becomes more difficult. Increasingly, young people move from rural to urban areas in search of employment in the industrializing sector of the economy. At that time, the __________ family typically becomes the predominant family pattern in the society. A. blended; extended B. extended; nuclear C. nuclear; conventional D. nuclear; extended Answer: B 19. __________ refers to family units composed of one or two parents and their dependent children, all of whom live apart from other relatives. A. Nuclear family B. Conventional family C. Extended family D. Blended family Answer: A 20. A comparison of Census Bureau data from 1970 to 2003 shows that there has been __________ in the percentage of U.S. households comprising a married couple with their own children under eighteen years of age. A. a significant increase B. a very minor change C. a significant decline D. basically no change in the data Answer: C 21. __________ is a legally recognized and/or socially approved arrangement between two or more individuals that carries certain rights and obligations and usually involves sexual activity. A. Marriage B. Cohabitation C. Trial separation D. Monogamous experimentation Answer: A 22. Comparing 1970 data with 2003 data, the Census Bureau identified a noticeable trend in the decline of married-couple households with their own children living with them. This type of household decreased from about 40 percent in 1970 to about __________ in 2003. A. 3 percent B. 13 percent C. 23 percent D. 33 percent Answer: C 23. In the United States, the only legally sanctioned form of marriage is __________ which refers to a marriage between two partners, usually a woman and a man. A. homogamy B. polygamy C. monogamy D. polyandry Answer: C 24. Bubba married his high school sweetheart and they have been faithful to each other for 30 years. Their marriage is considered to be __________. A. polygamous B. monogamous C. homogamous D. polyandrous Answer: B 25. Through a pattern of marriage, divorce, and remarriage, some people practice __________—a succession of marriages in which a person has several spouses over a lifetime but is legally married to only one person at a time. A. sequential coupling B. serial monogamy C. marriage seriation D. polygamy Answer: B 26. __________ is the concurrent marriage of a person of one sex with two or more members of the opposite sex. A. Polygamy B. Monogamy C. Homogamy D. Endogamy Answer: A 27. The most prevalent form of polygamy is __________. A. polyandry B. homogamy C. polygyny D. endogamy Answer: C 28. __________ is the concurrent marriage of one man with two or more women. A. Endogamy B. Polyandry C. Homogamy D. Polygyny Answer: D 29. __________ is the concurrent marriage of one woman with two or more men. A. Endogamy B. Polyandry C. Homogamy D. Polygyny Answer: B 30. __________ is very rare. When it does occur, it is typically found in societies where men greatly outnumber women because of high rates of female infanticide. A. Polyandry B. Homogamy C. Endogamy D. Polygyny Answer: A 31. In preindustrial societies, kinship is usually traced through one parent (unilineally). The most common pattern of unilineal descent is __________, which is a system of tracing descent through the father’s side of the family. A. patriarchal descent B. patrilineal descent C. patrilocal descent D. patricentric descent Answer: B 32. __________ systems are set up in such a manner that a legitimate son inherits his father's property and sometimes his position upon the father's death. A. Patrilineal B. Patrilocal C. Patricentric D. Patriarchal Answer: A 33. Even with the less common pattern of __________, which is a system of tracing descent through the mother’s side of the family, women may not control property. A. matriarchal descent B. matricentric descent C. matrilocal descent D. matrilineal descent Answer: D 34. In __________ systems, inheritance of property and position is usually traced from the maternal uncle (mother's brother) to his nephew (mother's son). In some cases, mothers may pass on their property to daughters. A. matricentric B. matrilocal C. matrilineal D. matriarchal Answer: C 35. Kinship in industrial societies is usually traced through both parents (bilineally). The most common form is __________, which is a system of tracing descent through both the mother’s and father’s sides of the family. A. bitriarchal descent B. bilateral descent C. bitricentric descent D. bitrilocal descent Answer: B 36. __________ descent is used in the United States for the purpose of determining kinship and inheritance rights; however, children typically take the father’s last name. A. Bilateral B. Bitrilocal C. Bitricentric D. Bitriarchal Answer: A 37. Several types of familial power and authority have been identified. Which of the following was not a type of familial power and authority identified? A. patriarchy B. matriarchy C. egalitarianism D. homogamous Answer: D 38. A(n) __________ family is a family structure in which authority is held by the eldest male (usually the father). A. patriarchal B. matriarchal C. egalitarian D. homogamous Answer: A 39. In a(n) __________, the male authority figure acts as head of the household and holds power and authority over the women and children, as well as over other males. A. matriarchal family B. homogamous family C. patriarchal family D. egalitarian family Answer: C 40. A(n) __________ family is a family structure in which authority is held by the eldest female (usually the mother). A. patriarchal B. matriarchal C. egalitarian D. homogamous Answer: B 41. Although there has been a great deal of discussion about __________, scholars have found no historical evidence to indicate that true types of this familial power and authority ever existed. A. patriarchal families B. egalitarian families C. matriarchal families D. homogamous families Answer: C 42. The most prevalent pattern of power and authority in families is __________. Across cultures, men are the primary decision makers regarding domestic, economic, and social concerns facing the family. A. homogamy B. matriarchy C. egalitarianism D. patriarchy Answer: D 43. A(n) __________ family has a family structure in which both partners share power and authority equally. A. matriarchal B. homogamous C. egalitarian D. patriarchal Answer: C 44. Residential patterns are interrelated with the authority structure and method of tracing descent in families. __________ residence refers to the custom of a married couple living in the same household (or community) as the husband's family. A. Matrilocal B. Patrilocal C. Multilocal D. Neolocall Answer: B 45. Across cultures, __________ is the most common residential pattern. A. matrilocal residence B. multilocal residence C. neolocal residence D. patrilocal residence Answer: D 46. Few societies have residential patterns known as __________ residence, which refers to the custom of a married couple living in the same household (or community) as the wife's parents. A. neolocal B. matrilocal C. patrilocal D. multilocal Answer: B 47. In industrialized nations such as the United States, most couples hope to live in a/an __________, which is the custom of a married couple living in their own residence apart from both the husband’s and the wife’s parents. A. neolocal residence B. multilocal residence C. patrilocal residence D. matrilocal residence Answer: A 48. Most people’s behavior is shaped by cultural rules. __________ is the practice of marrying within one’s own group. A. Exogamy B. Homogamy C. Endogamy D. Heterogamy Answer: C 49. In the United States, most people practice __________; they marry people who come from the same social class, racial/ethnic group, religious affiliation, and other categories considered important within their own social group. A. exogamy B. homogamy C. heterogamy D. endogamy Answer: D 50. Most people’s behavior is shaped by cultural rules. __________ is the practice of marrying outside one’s own social groups or category. A. Exogamy B. Homogamy C. Heterogamy D. Endogamy Answer: A 51. The __________ is the subdiscipline of sociology that attempts to describe and explain patterns of family life and variations in family structure. A. sociology of exogamy B. family of procreation C. sociology of family D. family of orientation Answer: C 52. __________ theorists emphasize the importance of the family in maintaining the stability of society and the well-being of individuals. A. Symbolic interactionist B. Conflict C. Functionalist D. Postmodernist Answer: C 53. In regard to the family, sociologist Emile Durkheim believed that __________. A. interaction between marital partners contributes to a shared reality B. females are socialized to be passive and males are socialized to be aggressive C. a division of labor contributes to greater efficiency in marriages and families D. men's domination over women existed long before private ownership of property and capitalism Answer: C 54. According to sociologist Talcott Parsons, the husband/father fulfils the __________ (meeting the family’s economic needs, making important decisions, and providing leadership). A. egalitarian role B. expressive role C. authoritarian role D. instrumental role Answer: D 55. According to sociologist Talcott Parsons, the wife/mother fulfils the __________ (running the household, caring for children, and meeting the emotional needs of family members). A. authoritarian role B. expressive role C. instrumental role D. egalitarian role Answer: B 56. In advanced industrial societies, families serve four key functions; which of the following was not a function identified? A. sexual regulation B. economic and psychological support C. provision of social status D. guaranteed reproduction Answer: D 57. Families are expected to regulate the sexual activity of their members and thus control reproduction so that it occurs within specific boundaries. At the __________, incest taboos prohibit sexual contact or marriage between certain relatives. A. mesolevel B. microlevel C. macrolevel D. metalevel Answer: C 58. From the __________ perspective, parents and other relatives are responsible for teaching children the necessary knowledge and skills to survive. A. functionalist B. symbolic interactionist C. conflict D. postmodern Answer: A 59. According to the __________ perspective, families in preindustrial societies are economic production units, while in industrial societies, the economic security of families is tied to the workplace and to macrolevel economic systems. A. symbolic interactionist B. conflict C. postmodern D. functionalist Answer: D 60. Based on the __________, one of the most significant and compelling forms of social placement is the family’s social class position and the opportunities (or lack thereof) resulting from that position. Examples of class-related opportunities are access to quality health care, higher education, and a safe place to live. A. postmodern perspective B. functionalist perspective C. conflict perspective D. symbolic interactionist perspective Answer: B 61. The text points out that conflict and feminist analysts __________. A. examine the relationship between family troubles and a decline in other social institutions B. view functionalist perspectives on the role of the family as realistic and adequate C. view families as sources of social inequality and conflict over values, goals, and access to resources and power D. examine the roles of husbands, wives, and children as they act out their own part and react to the actions of others Answer: C 62. Conflict explanations of family problems, such as high rates of divorce and overall family instability, focus on __________. A. how exploitation of the lower classes by the upper classes contributes to family problems B. the relationship between family troubles and changes in other social institutions, such as the economy, religion, and law C. the way in which definitions concerning family problems not only are socially constructed but also have an effect on how people are treated D. diversity and fragmentation of families Answer: A 63. Feminist explanations of family problems, such as high rates of divorce and overall family instability, focus on __________. A. how exploitation of the lower classes by the upper classes contributes to family problems B. the relationship between family troubles and changes in other social institutions, such as the economy, religion, and law C. the way in which definitions concerning family problems not only are socially constructed but also have an effect on how people are treated D. patriarchy and how men's domination over women contributes to inequalities in families Answer: D 64. Early __________ such as Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert Mead provided key insights on the roles we play as family members and how we modify or adapt our roles to the expectations of others—especially significant others such as parents, grandparents, and siblings. A. postmodernists B. symbolic interactionists C. conflict theorists D. functionalists Answer: B 65. __________ attempt to analyse how does the family influence the individual’s self-concept and identity. They examine the roles of husbands, wives, and children as they act out their own roles and react to the actions of others. From such a perspective, what people think, as well as what they say and do, is very important in understanding family dynamics. A. Functionalists B. Postmodern theorists C. Conflict theorists D. Symbolic interactionists Answer: D 66. According to sociologists Peter Berger and Hansfried Kellner, interaction between marital partners __________. A. contributes to a shared reality B. inevitably leads to conflict C. produces functional consequences D. is similar to the interactions between workers and owners in a factory Answer: A 67. __________ explain family relationships in terms of the subjective meanings and everyday interpretations that people give to their lives. As sociologist Jessie Bernard pointed out, women and men experience marriage differently. A. Conflict theorists B. Functionalists C. Symbolic interactionists D. Postmodernists Answer: C 68. Social scientist David Elkind describes the postmodern family as __________, capable of being diffused or invaded in such a manner that an entity’s original purpose is modified or changed. A. permeable B. disappearing C. becoming weaker D. becoming less autonomous Answer: A 69. According to __________, the idea of romantic love has given way to the idea of consensual love. Individuals agree to have sexual relations with others whom they have no intention of marrying or, if they marry, do not necessarily see the marriage as having permanence. A. conflict theorists B. functionalists C. postmodern theorists D. symbolic interactionists Answer: C 70. __________ is a characteristic of the postmodern family. The boundaries between the public sphere (the workplace) and the private sphere (the home) are becoming much more open and flexible. In fact, family life may be negatively affected by the decreasing distinction between what is work time and what is family time. A. Homogamy B. Urbanity C. Endogamy D. Polyandry Answer: B 71. Our ideal culture emphasizes __________, which refers to a deep emotion, the satisfaction of significant needs, a caring for and acceptance of the person we love, and involvement in an intimate relationship. A. traditional love B. romantic love C. companion love D. community love Answer: B 72. In regard to women's and men's perceptions about romantic love, sociologist Francesca Cancian points out that __________. A. women tend to express their feelings nonverbally B. men tend to express their love through nonverbal actions, such as running an errand for someone C. women and men tend to express love in much the same manner D. women tend to interpret men's actions as signs of love regardless of their actual meanings Answer: B 73. The National Health and Social Life Survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Centre at the University of Chicago reported numerous findings. Which of the following was not a finding of the survey? A. Nine percent of the men said they had at least one homosexual encounter resulting in orgasm. B. Only 2.8 percent of the men and 1.4 percent of the women in this investigation identified themselves as gay or lesbian. C. Persons who engaged in extramarital sex found their activities to be less thrilling than those with a marital partner, but they also felt less guilt. D. Persons in sustained relationships such as marriage or cohabitation found sexual activity to be the most satisfying emotionally and physically. Answer: C 74. The Census Bureau has redefined the term __________ as two people who live together, and think of themselves as a couple, without being legally married. A. cohabitation B. assimilation C. accommodation D. matrimony Answer: A 75. A recent study of 11,000 women found that there was a 70 percent marriage rate for women who remained in a cohabiting relationship for at least 5 years. However, of the women in that study who cohabited and then married their partner, __________ became divorced within a 10-year period. A. 20 percent B. 30 percent C. 40 percent D. 50 percent Answer: C 76. __________ refers to household arrangements in which an unmarried couple lives together in a committed, sexually intimate relationship and is granted the same rights and benefits as those accorded to married heterosexual couples. A. Sanctioned partnership B. Permanent cohabitation C. Legal cohabitation D. Domestic partnership Answer: D 77. Most people in the United States tend to choose marriage partners who are similar to themselves. __________ refers to the pattern of individuals marrying those who have similar characteristics, such as race/ethnicity, religious background, age, education, or social class. A. Monogamy B. Exogamy C. Homogamy D. Polygamy Answer: C 78. __________ percent of all marriages in the United States are dual-earner marriages, in which both spouses are in the labor force. A. Less than 10 B. About 25 C. Over 50 D. Nearly 90 Answer: C 79. In 2004, approximately __________ percent of employed mothers with children under age 6 worked full-time. A. 33 B. 50 C. 74 D. 90 Answer: C 80. Sociologist Arlie Hochschild coined the term __________ to refer to the work that many employed women perform after they complete their workday on the job. A. second shift B. maintenance shift C. household shift D. domestic shift Answer: A 81. In regard to housework, sociologist Arlie Hochschild notes that __________. A. domestic work is now shared by both husbands and wives B. although women and men perform different household tasks, they have similar deadlines for their work C. even when husbands share some of the household responsibilities, they typically spend much less time in these activities than do their wives D. the unpaid housework that women do amounts to an extra week of work each year Answer: C 82. Couples with more ________ ideas about women’s and men’s roles tend to share more equally in food preparation, housework, and child care. A. individualistic B. patriarchal C. egalitarian D. domestic Answer: C 83. Rates of fertility differ across racial and ethnic categories. In 2006, Latinas (Hispanic women) had a total fertility rate of 2.9, which was 50 percent above that of white (non-Hispanic) women. Among Latina women, the highest fertility rate is found among __________ women. A. Cuban American B. Mexican American C. Puerto Rican D. South American Answer: B 84. Many couples in Western societies who fail to have a child on their own have chosen to have women from __________ to be the surrogate mother. A. China B. Russia C. Mexico D. India Answer: D 85. Women in India who act as a surrogate do so because it A. makes them more independent B. provides household income C. is seen as a sign of prestige D. both a and b above Answer: D 86. Some writers have raised questions about the practice of commercial surrogacy. Which is not one of those questions? A. A mother should only give birth to a baby because it is hers and out of love. B. These women are low-income and may be exploited. C. They may suffer long-term emotional damage. D. She is only being paid a few dollars in American money. Answer: D 87. At the fertility clinic in India where women are professional surrogates, it is the requirement that the surrogate A. pass a physical exam. B. not be over 25 years of age. C. must have at least one child of her own. D. have at least a high school education. Answer: C 88. In the U.S., hiring a surrogate costs more than A. $10,000. B. $20,000. C. $40,000. D. $50,000. Answer: D 89. If a couple in the U.S. cannot have a child on their own, they may hire a(n) __________. A. fertility substitute B. baby whisperer C. infertility parent D. surrogate mother Answer: D 90. Having an Indian woman carry a child can cost a couple no more than __________ plus medical expenses. A. $2,000 B. $5,000 C. $7,000 D. $10,000 Answer: B 91. Adoption is a legal process through which the rights and duties of parenting are transferred from a child’s biological parents and/or legal parents to new legal parents. According to the text's discussion of adoption __________. A. a new birth certificate is issued in most adoptions B. matching children who are available for adoption with prospective adoptive parents is simple and straightforward C. more infants are available for adoption today than in the past D. few U.S. parents seek to adopt parentless children in developing nations Answer: A 92. The United States has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the Western industrialized world. At the microlevel, several issues are important. Which of the following issues was not identified? A. Many sexually active teenagers do not use contraceptives. B. Some teenage males (due to a double standard) believe that females should be responsible for contraception. C. Advertising, movies, television, magazines, music, and other forms of media often flaunt the idea of being sexually active without showing the possible consequences of such behavior. D. Some teenagers view pregnancy as a sign of male prowess or as a way to gain adult status. Answer: C 93. Teenage pregnancies are a popular topic in the media and political discourse. The children’s Defense Fund estimates that among those who first gave birth between the ages of 15 and 19, __________ percent will have a second child within 3 years. A. 33 B. 43 C. 57 D. 66 Answer: B 94. According to sociologist Brian Robinson, several myths exist regarding teenage fathers. Which of the following is not a myth cited? A. They are worldly-wise "super studs" who engage in sexual activity early and often. B. They have few emotional feelings for the women they impregnate. C. They sometimes try to be good fathers. D. They are "phantom fathers" who rarely are involved in caring for and rearing their children. Answer: C 95. About __________ percent of all African American children will spend part of their childhood living in a household headed by a single mother who is divorced, separated, never married, or widowed. A. 42 B. 55 C. 75 D. 86 Answer: D 96. According to sociologists Sara McLanahan and Karen Booth, children from mother-only families are more likely than children in two-parent families to have experienced numerous problems. Which of the following was not a problem identified? A. They have poor academic achievement. B. They tend to delay marriage and postpone having children. C. They have higher school absences and dropout rates. D. They tend to experience more drug and alcohol abuse Answer: B 97. Some single fathers who do not have custody of their children remain actively involved in their children's lives. Others may become "__________" who take their children to recreational activities and buy them presents for special occasions but have a very small part in the children's day-to-day lives. A. Disneyland daddies B. Chuckie Cheese fathers C. McDonald dads D. Arcade papas Answer: A 98. Parenthood in the United States is idealized, especially for women. According to sociologist Alice Rossi, __________ is the mark of adulthood for women, whether or not they are employed. A. maternity B. sexual attractiveness C. femininity D. desirability to men Answer: A 99. According to some marriage and family analysts, individuals who prefer to remain single typically possess several characteristics. Which of the following characteristics was not identified? A. They tend to value friends and personal growth. B. They typically hold more individualistic values. C. They are less family oriented. D. They are still very interested in having children. Answer: D 100. Older adults who have chronic medical conditions or need the help of others may rely on __________ arrangements, a concept that refers to housing, support services, and health care designed to meet varied needs including help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, food preparation, or taking medications. A. autonomy living B. augmented living C. assisted living D. assimilated living Answer: C TRUE-FALSE SECTION 1. Contemporary sociologists define families as relationships in which people live together with commitment, form an economic unit and care for any young, and consider their identity to be significantly attached to the group. Answer: True 2. In post-industrial societies, the primary form of social organization is through kinship ties—which refer to a social network of people based on common ancestry, marriage, or adoption. Answer: False Rejoinder: Kinship ties are the primary form of social organization in preindustrial (hunting and gathering, horticultural and pastoral, and agrarian) societies. Through kinship networks, people cooperate so that they can acquire the basic necessities of life, including food and shelter. Kinship systems can also serve as a means by which property is transferred, goods are produced and distributed, and power is allocated. 3. Present research shows that people who are single or who have a number of sexual partners express greater sexual satisfaction. Answer: False Rejoinder: Those who are married or in a sustained relationship express greater satisfaction. 4. The number of children living with grandparents and no parent in the home increased by over 50 percent from 1990 to 2000. Answer: True 5. Most U.S. family households are made up of a married couple with one or more children under the age of 18. Answer: False Rejoinder: These households account for less than 25 percent according to U.S. Census data. 6. Extended families often include grandparents, uncles, aunts, or other relatives who live close to the parents and children, making it possible for family members to share resources. Answer: True 7. A comparison of Census Bureau data from 1970 and 2003 shows that there has been a significant increase in the percentage of U.S. households comprising a married couple with their own children under eighteen years of age. Answer: False Rejoinder: Based on Census Bureau data from 1970 and 2003, there has actually been a significant decrease (1970 = 40.3% compared with 2003 = 23.3%) in the percentage of U.S. households comprising a married couple with their own children under 18 years of age. 8. Polyandry is very rare; when it does occur, it is typically found in societies where men greatly outnumber women because of high rates of female infanticide or where marriages are arranged between two brothers and one woman. Answer: True 9. The most prevalent pattern of power and authority in families is egalitarian – which is a family structure where both partners share power and authority. Answer: False Rejoinder: The most prevalent pattern of power and authority in families is patriarchy—which is a family structure where authority is held by the eldest male (usually the father). The male authority figure acts as head of the household and holds power and authority over the women and children, as well as over other males. Across cultures, men are the primary (and often sole) decision makers regarding domestic, economic, and social concerns facing the family. 10. According to functionalist sociologist Emile Durkheim, families are responsible for providing economic and psychological support for members. In preindustrial societies, the economic security of families is tied to the workplace and to macrolevel economic systems. Answer: False Rejoinder: In preindustrial societies, families are economic production units. By contrast, in industrial societies, the economic security of families is tied to the workplace and to macrolevel economic systems. 11. Conflict analysts are concerned with the effect that class conflict has on the family. The exploitation of the lower classes by the upper classes contributes to family problems such as high rates of divorce and overall family instability. Answer: True 12. Contemporary functionalists examine the roles of husbands, wives, and children as they act out their own part and react to the actions of others. From such a perspective, what people think, as well as what they say and do, is very important in understanding family dynamics. Answer: False Rejoinder: This is actually contemporary symbolic interactionist perspectives on the roles we play as family members. 13. Urbanity is another characteristic of the postmodern family. The boundaries between the public sphere (the workplace) and the private sphere (the home) are becoming much more open and flexible. Answer: True 14. According to sociologist Francesca Cancian, men tend to express their feelings verbally whereas women tend to express their love through nonverbal actions, such as running an errand for someone. Answer: False Rejoinder: Just the opposite is true; women tend to express their feelings verbally whereas men tend to express their love through nonverbal actions, such as running an errand for someone or repairing a child’s broken toy. 15. Studies over the past decade have supported the proposition that couples who cohabit before marriage do not necessarily have a stable relationship following marriage. Answer: True 16. A major reason why there are so few children in Italy is that housing is so hard to come by. Answer: True 17. A requirement at the Akanksha fertility clinic in India is that the woman who is going to be surrogate take a series of personality tests and be at least 29 years of age. Answer: False Rejoinder: The requirement is that she have a child of her own. 18. Females in India who choose to become a surrogate typically do so because it provides both independence and family income. Answer: True 19. Mexico has become one of the top countries where U.S. couples go in order to hire a surrogate mother. Answer: False Rejoinder: India has become a dominant country for surrogate mothers. 20. One of the major concerns of commercial surrogacy is the possible exploitation of the surrogate. Answer: True 21. The total cost of a surrogate mother in the U.S. can be around $10,000. Answer: False Rejoinder: The actual cost be as much as $50,000 22. The increase in births among unmarried teenagers may have negative long-term consequences for mothers and their children, who have severely limited educational and employment opportunities and a high likelihood of living in poverty. Answer: True 23. About 75 percent of all white children and 86 percent of all Native American children will spend part of their childhood living in a household headed by a single mother who is divorced, separated, never married, or widowed. Answer: False Rejoinder: The correct percentage and race/ethnic groups are: about 42 percent of all white children and 86 percent of all African American children will spend part of their childhood living in a household headed by a single mother who is divorced, separated, never married, or widowed. 24. Some never-married people remain single by choice. Reasons include opportunities for a career, the availability of sexual partners without marriage, the belief that the single lifestyle is full of excitement, and the desire for self-sufficiency and freedom to change and experiment. Answer: True 25. Foster care refers to institutional settings or residences where adults other than a child’s own parents or biological relatives serve as caregivers. About 60 percent of children in foster care are children of colour, with about 42 percent of them being African American. Answer: True SHORT RESPONSE SECTION 1. Define the social institution of the family. Answer: For many years, the standard sociological definition of family has been a group of people who are related to one another by bonds of blood, marriage, or adoption and who live together, form an economic unit, and bear and raise children. Today’s families include many types of living arrangements and relationships, including single-parent households, unmarried couples, lesbian and gay couples, and multiple generations (such as grandparent, parent, and child) living in the same household. To accurately reflect these changes in family life, some sociologists believe that we need a more encompassing definition of what constitutes a family. Accordingly, we will define families as relationships, in which people live together with commitment, form an economic unit and care for any young, and consider their identity to be significantly attached to the group. Sexual expression and parent-child relationships are a part of most, but not all, family relationships. 2. Describe kinship ties and distinguish between families of orientation/procreation and extended/nuclear families. Answer: In preindustrial societies, the primary form of social organization is through kinship ties. Kinship refers to a social network of people based on common ancestry, marriage, or adoption. Through kinship networks, people cooperate so that they can acquire the basic necessities of life, including food and shelter. Kinship systems can also serve as a means by which property is transferred, goods are produced and distributed, and power is allocated. In industrialized societies, other social institutions fulfil some of the functions previously taken care of by the kinship network. Consequently, families in industrialized societies serve fewer and more-specialized purposes than do families in preindustrial societies. Contemporary families are responsible primarily for regulating sexual activity, socializing children, and providing affection and companionship for family members. The family of orientation is the family into which a person is born and in which early socialization usually takes place. By contrast, the family of procreation is the family that a person forms by having or adopting children. In the United States, although many young people leave their family of orientation as they reach adulthood, finish school, and/or get married, recent studies have found that many people maintain family ties across generations, particularly as older persons remain actively involved in relationships with their adult children. Sociologists distinguish between extended and nuclear families based on the number of generations that live within a household. An extended family is a family unit composed of relatives in addition to parents and children who live in the same household. These families often include grandparents, uncles, aunts, or other relatives who live close to the parents and children, making it possible for family members to share resources. In horticultural and agricultural societies, extended families are extremely important; having a large number of family members participate in food production may be essential for survival. With the advent of industrialization and urbanization, maintaining the extended family pattern becomes more difficult in societies. Increasingly, young people move from rural to urban areas in search of employment in the industrializing sector of the economy. A nuclear family is a family composed of one or two parents and their dependent children, all of whom live apart from other relatives. 3. Describe the different forms of marriage patterns found across cultures. Answer: Marriage is a legally recognized and/or socially approved arrangement between two or more individuals that carries certain rights and obligations and usually involves sexual activity. In most societies, marriage involves a mutual commitment by each partner, and linkages between two individuals and families are publicly demonstrated. In the United States, the only legally sanctioned form of marriage is monogamy—a marriage between two partners, usually a woman and a man. For some people, marriage is a lifelong commitment that ends only with the death of a partner. For others, marriage is a commitment of indefinite duration. Through a practice of marriage, divorce, and remarriage, some people practice serial monogamy—a succession of marriages in which a person has several spouses over a lifetime but is legally married to only one person at a time. Polygamy is the concurrent marriage of a person of one sex with two or more members of the opposite sex. The most prevalent form of polygamy is polygyny – the concurrent marriage of one man with two or more women. The second type of polygamy is polyandry—the concurrent marriage of one woman with two or more men. Polyandry is very rare; when it does occur, it is typically found in societies where men greatly outnumber women because of high rates of female infanticide. 4. Discuss the system of descent and inheritance, and explain why such systems are important in societies. Answer: Virtually all forms of marriage establish a system of descent so that kinship can be determined and inheritance rights established. In preindustrial societies, kinship is usually traced through one parent (unilineally). The most common pattern of unilineal descent is patrilineal descent—a system of tracing descent through the father’s side of the family. Patrilineal systems are set up in such a manner that a legitimate son inherits his father’s property and sometimes his position upon the father’s death. In nations such as India, where boys are seen as permanent patrilineal family members, girls are seen as only temporary family members, girls tend to considered more expendable than boys. Even when the less common pattern of matrilineal descent—a system of tracing descent through the mother’s side of the family—women may not control property. By contrast, kinship in industrial societies is usually traced through both parents (bilineally). The most common form is bilateral descent—a system of tracing descent through both the mother’s and father’s sides of the family. 5. Distinguish between patriarchal, matriarchal, and egalitarian families. Answer: The most prevalent forms of familial power and authority are patriarchy, matriarchy, and egalitarianism. A patriarchal family is a family structure in which authority is held by the eldest male (usually the father). The male authority figure acts as head of the household and holds power and authority over the women and children, as well as over other males. A matriarchal family is a family structure in which authority is held by the eldest female (usually the mother). In this case, the female authority figure acts as head of the household. Although there has been a great deal of discussion about matriarchal families, scholars have found no historical evidence to indicate that true matriarchies ever existed. The most prevalent pattern of power and authority in families is patriarchy. Across cultures, men are the primary (and often sole) decision makers regarding domestic, economic, and social concerns facing the family. The existence of patriarchy may give men a sense of power over their own lives, but it also can create an atmosphere in which some men feel greater freedom to abuse women and children. Moreover, some economists believe that the patriarchal family structure (along with prevailing market conditions and public policy) limits people’s choices in employment in the United States. According to this view, the patriarchal family structure has remained largely unchanged in this country, even as familial responsibilities in the paid labor market have undergone dramatic transformation. Despite dramatic increases in the number of women in the paid work force, there has been a lack of movement toward gender equity, which would equalize women’s opportunities. This issue is not limited to the United States: the patriarchal family has placed a heavy burden on women around the globe. An egalitarian family is a family structure in which both partners share power and authority equally. Recently, a trend toward more egalitarian relationships has been evident in a number of countries as women have sought changes in their legal status and increased educational and employment opportunities. Some degree of economic independence makes it possible for women to delay marriage or to terminate a problematic marriage. 6. Explain the differences in residential patterns and note why most people practice endogamy. Answer: Patrilocal residence refers to the custom of a married couple living in the same household (or community) as the husband’s family. Across cultures, patrilocal residency is most common. Socioeconomic factors can be an important factor in establishment of contemporary patrilocal residences. Few societies have residential patterns known as matrilocal residence—the custom of a married couple living in the same household (or community) as the wife’s parents. In industrialized nations such as the United States, most couples hope to live in a neolocal residence—the custom of a married couple living in their own residence apart from both the husband’s and the wife’s parents. For many couples, however, economic conditions, availability of housing, and other considerations may make neolocal residency impossible, at least initially. Even with the diversity of these patterns, most people’s behavior is shaped by cultural rules pertaining to endogamy and exogamy. Endogamy is the practice of marrying within one’s own group. In the United States, most people practice endogamy: they marry people who come from the same social class, racial/ethnic groups, religious affiliation, and other categories considered important within their own social group. Social scientists refer to this practice as homogamy—the pattern of individuals marrying those who have similar characteristics, such as race/ethnicity, religious background, age, education, and/or social ties. Homogamy is similar to endogamy. Various reasons have been given to explain why endogamy is so prevalent. One reason may be the proximity of other individuals in one’s own group contrasted with those who are geographically separated from it. Another reason may be that a person’s marriage choice is often influenced by the opinions of parents, friends, and other people with whom the person associates. Although endogamy is the strongest marital pattern in the United States, more people now marry outside their own group. Exogamy is the practice of marrying outside one’s own social group or category. Depending on the circumstances, exogamy may not be noticed at all, or it may result in a person being ridiculed or ostracized by other members of the “in” group. The three most important sources of positive or negative sanctions for intermarriage are the family, the church, and the state. Educational attainment is also a strong indicator of marital choices. Higher education emphasizes individual achievement, and college-educated people may be less likely than others to identify themselves with their social or cultural roots and thus more willing to marry outside their own social group or category if their potential partner shares a similar level of educational attainment. 7. Describe functionalist perspectives on families. Answer: Functionalists emphasize the importance of the family in maintaining the stability of society and the well-being of individuals. According to sociologist Emile Durkheim, marriage is a microcosmic replica of the larger society; both marriage and society involve a mental and moral fusion of physically distinct individuals. Durkheim also believed that a division of labor contributes to greater efficiency in all areas of life—including marriages and families. In the United States, sociologist Talcott Parsons was a key figure in developing a functionalist model of the family. According to Parsons, the husband/father fulfils the instrumental role (meeting the family’s economic needs, making important decisions, and providing leadership), whereas the wife/mother fulfils the expressive role (running the household, caring for children, and meeting the emotional needs of family members). Contemporary functionalist perspectives derive their foundation from Durkheim. Division of labor makes it possible for families to fulfil a number of functions that no other institution can perform as effectively. In advanced industrial societies, families serve four key functions: 1. Sexual regulation—families are expected to regulate the sexual activity of their members and thus control reproduction so that is occurs within specific boundaries. At the microlevel, incest taboos prohibit sexual contact or marriage between certain relatives. Sexual regulation of family members by the family is supposed to protect the principle of legitimacy—the belief that all children should have a socially and legally recognized father. 2. Socialization—parents and other relatives are responsible for teaching children the necessary knowledge and skills to survive. 3. Economic and psychological support—families are responsible for providing economic and psychological support for members. In preindustrial societies, families are economic production units; in industrialized societies, the economic security of family is tied to the workplace and to macrolevel economic systems. 4. Provision of social status—families confer social status and reputation on their members. These statuses include the ascribed statuses with which individuals are born, such as race/ethnicity, nationality, social class, and sometimes religious affiliation. One of the most significant and compelling forms of social placement is the family’s class position and the opportunities resulting from that position. Examples of class-related opportunities include access to quality health care, higher education, and a safe place to live. 8. Compare conflict and feminist perspectives on families. Answer: Conflict and feminist analysts view functionalist perspectives on the role of the family in society as idealized and inadequate. Rather than operating harmoniously and for the benefit of all members, families are sources of social inequality and conflict over values, goals, and access to resources and power. According to some conflict theorists, families in capitalistic economies are similar to workers in a factory. Women are dominated by men in the home in the same manner that workers are dominated by capitalists and managers in factories. Although childbearing and care for family members in the home contribute to capitalism, these activities also reinforce the subordination of women through unpaid (and often devalued) labor. Some feminist perspectives on inequality in families focus on patriarchy rather than class. Women’s activities in the home have been undervalued at the same time as their labor has been controlled by men. In addition, men have benefited from the privileges they derive from their status as family breadwinners. Many women resist male domination. Women can control their reproductive capabilities through contraception and other means, and they can take control of their labor power by working for wages outside the home. Conflict and feminist perspectives on families focus primarily on the problems inherent in relationships of dominance and subordination. Specifically, feminist theorists have developed explanations that take into account the unequal political relationship between women and men in families and outside of families. Some feminist analysts explain family violence as a conscious strategy used by men to control women and perpetuate gender inequality. 9. Summarize symbolic interactionist perspectives on families. Answer: Early symbolic interactionist such as Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert Mead provided key insights on the roles we play as family members and how we modify or adapt our roles to the expectations of others—especially significant others such as partners, grandparents, siblings, and other relatives. Contemporary symbolic interactionist perspectives examine the roles of husbands, wives, and children as they act out their own part and react to the actions of others. From such a perspective, what people think, as well as what they say and do, is very important in understanding family dynamics. According to sociologists Peter Berger and Hansfried Kellner, interaction between marriage partners contributes to a shared reality. Although newlyweds bring separate identities to a marriage, over time they construct a shared reality as a couple. Symbolic interactionists explain family relationships in terms of the subjective meanings and everyday interpretations that people give to their lives. Sociologist Jessie Bernard pointed out, women and men experience marriage differently. Although the husband may see his marriage very positively, the wife may feel less positive about her marriage. Researchers have found that husbands and wives may give very different accounts of the same event and that their “two realities” frequently do not coincide. 10. Discuss postmodernist perspectives on families. Answer: Social scientist David Elkind describes the postmodern family as permeable—capable of being diffused or invaded in such a manner that an entity’s original purpose is modified or changed. According to Elkind, if the nuclear family is a reflection of the age of modernity, the permeable family reflects the postmodern assumptions of difference, particularity, and irregularity. Difference is evident in the fact that the nuclear family is now only one of many family forms. Similarly, the idea of romantic love under modernity has given way to the idea of consensual love. Individuals agree to have sexual relations with others whom they have no intention of marrying or, if they marry, do not necessarily see the marriage as having permanence. Maternal love has also been transformed into shared parenting, which includes not only mothers and fathers but also caregivers who may either be relatives or nonrelatives. Today, many people value the autonomy of the individual family member more highly than the family unit. Urbanity is another characteristic of the postmodern family. The boundaries between the public sphere (the workplace) and the private sphere (the home) are becoming much more open and flexible. In fact, family life may be negatively affected by the decreasing distinction between what is work time and what is family time. 11. Describe love and intimacy, and compare cohabitation and domestic partnerships. Answer: Our ideal culture emphasizes romantic love—which refers to a deep emotion, the satisfaction of significant needs, a caring for and acceptance of the person we love, and involvement in an intimate relationship. In the late 19th century, during the Industrial Revolution, the public sphere of work (men’s sphere) emphasized self-reliance and independence. By contrast, the private sphere of the home (women’s sphere) emphasized the giving of services, the exchange of gifts, and love. According to sociologist Francesca Cancian, women tend to express their feelings verbally whereas men tend to express their love through nonverbal actions, such as running an errand for someone or repairing a child’s broken toy. Love and intimacy are closely intertwined. Attitudes about cohabitation have changed in the past three decades. The Census Bureau defines cohabitation as the sharing of a household by one man and one woman who are not related to each other by kinship or marriage. The textbook defines cohabitation as referring to two people who live together, and think of themselves as a couple, without being legally married. Based on Census Bureau data, the people who are most likely to cohabit are under age 45, have been married before, or are older individuals who do not want to lose financial benefits (such as retirement benefits) that are contingent upon not remarrying. Among younger people, employed couples are more likely to cohabit than college students. Studies over the past two decades have supported the proposition that couples who cohabit before marriage do not necessarily have a stable relationship following marriage. For gay and lesbian couples, no alternatives to cohabitation exist in most U.S. states. For that reason, many lesbians and gays seek recognition of their domestic partnership—household partnerships in which an unmarried couple lives together in a committed, sexually intimate relationship and is granted the same rights and benefits as those accorded to married heterosexual couples. Over the past few years, much controversy has arisen over the legal status of gay and lesbian couples, particularly those who seek to make their relationship a legally binding commitment through marriage. Opponents of such unions have proposed a constitutional amendment to ban marriages other than those between one man and one woman. 12. Outline the major problems faced in dual-earner marriages, and note why the double shift most often is a problem for women. Answer: Today, over 50 percent of all marriages in the United States are dual-earner marriages—marriages in which both spouses are in the labor force. Many married women leave their paid employment at the end of the day and then go home to perform hours of housework and child care. Sociologist Arlie Hochschild, refers to this as the “second shift”—the domestic work that employed women perform at home after they complete their workday on the job. Thus, many married women today contribute to the economic well-being of their families and also meet many, if not all, of the domestic needs of family members by cooking, cleaning, shopping, taking care of children, and managing household routines. In recent years, more husbands have attempted to share some of the household and child-care responsibilities, especially in families in which the wife’s earnings are essential to family finances. Overall, when husbands share some of the household responsibilities, they typically spend much less time in these activities than do their wives. Women and men perform different household tasks, and the deadlines for their work vary widely. Recurring tasks that have specific times for completion (such as bathing a child or cooking a meal) tend to be the women’s responsibility; by contrast, men are more likely to do the periodic tasks that have no highly structured schedule (such as mowing the lawn or changing the oil in the car). Men are also more reluctant to perform undesirable tasks such as scrubbing the toilet or diapering a baby, or to give up leisure pursuits. Couples with more egalitarian ideas about women’s and men’s roles tend to share more equally in food preparation, housework, and child care. In the United States, millions of parents rely on child care so that they can work and so that their young children can benefit from early educational experiences that will help in their future school endeavors. For millions more parents, after-school care for school-age children is an urgent concern. Nearly five million children are home alone after school each week in this country. The children need productive and safe activities to engage in while their parents are working. Although child care is often unavailable or unaffordable for many parents, those children who are in day care for extended hours often come to think of child-care workers and other caregivers as members of their extended families because they may spend nearly as many hours with them as they do with their own parents. 13. Briefly explain why some infertile couples in the U.S., Britain, and elsewhere want to “hire” women in India to have their children. Why do some Indian women choose to do this? What are the criticisms? Answer: Most couples do so because they have made numerous attempts to have a child without success. The couple, if they decide upon surrogacy, find out that it can cost more than $50,000 in the U.S. In contrast, the same thing in India can be only $2,250 to $5,000 plus medical expenses. Women may choose to do this because it lift women up: it provides money for their household and makes them more independent. The typical woman in India might earn more for one surrogate pregnancy than she would earn in fifteen years for other kinds of employment. However, some have criticized the practice of commercial surrogacy. Some feel that a mother should give birth to her child because it is hers and she loves it, not because she is being paid to have someone else’s baby. Others worry about the possible mistreatment of low-income women who may be exploited or may suffer long-term emotional damage. 14. Discuss the major issues associated with adoption, teenage pregnancies, single-parent households, and two-parent households. Answer: Adoption is a legal process through which the rights and duties of parenting are transferred from a child’s biological and/or legal parents to new legal parents. This procedure gives the adopted child all the rights of a biological child. In most adoptions, a new birth certificate is issued and the child has no future contact with the biological parents; however, some states have “right-to-know” laws under which adoptive parents must grant the biological parents visitation rights. Matching children who are available for adoption with prospective parents can be difficult. Although thousands of children are available for adoption each year in the United States, many prospective parents seek out children in developing nations like South Korea and India. The primary reason is that the available children in the United States are thought to be “unsuitable.” They may have disabilities, or they may be sick, nonwhite, or too old. In addition, fewer infants are available for adoption today than in the past because better means of contraception exist, abortion is more readily available, and more unmarried teenage parents decide to keep their babies. Teenage pregnancies are a popular topic in the media and political discourse, and the United States has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the Western industrialized world. Teenage pregnancies have also been of concern to analysts who suggest that teenage mothers may be less skilled as parenting, are less likely to complete high school that their counterparts without children, and possess few economic and social supports other than their relatives. In addition, the increase in births among unmarried teenagers may have negative long-term consequences for mothers and their children, who have severely limited educational, and employment opportunities and a high likelihood of living in poverty. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in single- or one-parent households due to divorce and to births outside of marriage. According to sociologists Sara McLanahan and Karen Booth, children from mother-only families are more likely than children in two-parent families to have poor academic achievement, higher school absentee and dropout rates, early marriage and parenthood, higher rates of divorce, and more drug and alcohol abuse. Children in two-parent families are not guaranteed a happy childhood simply because both parents reside in the same household. 15. Define divorce and, from both a macrolevel and microlevel, explain the major causes of divorce in the United States. Answer: Divorce is the legal process of dissolving a marriage that allows former spouses to remarry if they so choose. Most divorces today are granted on the grounds of irreconcilable differences, meaning that there has been a breakdown of the marital relationship for which neither partner is specifically blamed. At the macrolevel, societal factors contributing to higher rates of divorce include changes in social institutions, such as religion and family. The social stigma associated with divorce has lessened. The family institution has undergone a major change that has resulted in less economic and emotional dependency among family members. Societal factors contributing to higher rates of divorce include changes in social institutions, such as religion and family. At the microlevel, a number of factors contribute to a couple’s “statistical” likelihood of divorcing. (1) marriage at an early age (2) a short acquaintanceship before marriage (3) disapproval of the marriage by relatives and friends (4) limited economic resources and low wages (5) a high school education or less (6) parents who are divorced or have unhappy marriages (7) the presence of children at the beginning of the marriage ESSAY SECTION 1. Summarize families from a global perspective. Answer: Families serve as fundamental social institutions found in every society, albeit with diverse structures and functions globally. Key aspects of families from a global perspective include: 1. Variety of Family Forms: Families vary widely across cultures and regions, including nuclear families (parents and children), extended families (including relatives beyond parents and children), and communal or kinship-based arrangements. 2. Functions: Families universally fulfill essential functions such as reproduction, socialization of children, economic cooperation, and emotional support. However, specific roles and responsibilities within families can vary significantly based on cultural norms and societal expectations. 3. Cultural Influences: Cultural values and traditions shape family dynamics, roles, and practices related to marriage, parenting, caregiving, and intergenerational relationships. These cultural influences impact family structures and rituals, reflecting broader social values and beliefs. 4. Globalization: Globalization has influenced family structures through migration, urbanization, and changes in economic opportunities, leading to shifts in family roles, gender dynamics, and patterns of caregiving and support. Understanding families from a global perspective involves recognizing both universal functions and diverse cultural expressions that shape familial relationships and responsibilities across societies. 2. Compare and contrast the four sociological perspectives as they relate to the family. Answer: • Focus: Emphasizes the functions of the family in maintaining social stability and cohesion. • View: Family serves essential roles in socializing children, regulating sexual behavior, and providing emotional support. • Critique: Overlooks family dysfunctions and variations in family forms, assuming universality of family functions. Conflict Theory: • Focus: Highlights power differentials and inequalities within families and between social groups. • View: Family structures perpetuate inequality by reinforcing patriarchy, economic disparities, and generational power struggles. • Critique: May overlook cooperation and shared interests within families, focusing primarily on conflict and exploitation. Feminist Perspective: • Focus: Critiques traditional gender roles and patriarchal norms within families. • View: Families perpetuate gender inequalities through division of labor, caregiving responsibilities, and unequal power dynamics. • Critique: Criticized for focusing primarily on women's issues without fully integrating men's experiences and perspectives. Symbolic Interactionism: • Focus: Examines how family roles, meanings, and interactions are constructed and negotiated through everyday interactions. • View: Family roles and identities are socially constructed and maintained through symbolic gestures, language, and shared meanings. • Critique: May overlook broader structural influences and systemic inequalities that shape family dynamics. Comparison: • Functionalist vs. Conflict/Feminist: Differ in their emphasis on stability (functionalist) vs. inequality (conflict/feminist) within families. • Conflict vs. Feminist: Both highlight power dynamics and gender inequalities but differ in scope (conflict focuses on broader social structures, while feminism focuses on gender-specific issues). • Symbolic Interactionism: Focuses on micro-level interactions and meanings within families, contrasting with macro-level analyses of functions and conflicts. 3. Analyze the family from a functionalist perspective. Answer: Functionalist Perspective on the Family: • Functions: Emphasizes the essential functions of the family in maintaining social order and stability, including reproduction, socialization, economic cooperation, and emotional support. • Structural Components: Views family as a structured institution with roles and norms that contribute to social cohesion and continuity across generations. • Benefits: Provides a sense of belonging, identity, and emotional security for individuals, reinforcing societal values and norms. • Critique: Overlooks family dysfunctions, variations in family structures (such as single-parent families or non-normative relationships), and the impact of social inequalities on family dynamics. 4. Analyze the family from the conflict and feminist perspectives. Answer: Conflict Perspective on the Family: • Power Dynamics: Highlights power struggles and inequalities within families, including gender, generational, and economic disparities. • Institutional Analysis: Views family as an institution that perpetuates social inequality by reinforcing patriarchy, economic exploitation, and unequal distribution of resources. • Critique: May overlook familial cooperation and shared interests, focusing excessively on conflict and exploitation dynamics. Feminist Perspective on the Family: • Gender Inequality: Critiques traditional gender roles and norms within families that disadvantage women, perpetuating unequal division of labor, caregiving responsibilities, and decision-making power. • Intersectionality: Considers how race, class, and sexual orientation intersect with gender to shape familial experiences and inequalities. • Critique: Criticized for focusing primarily on women's issues without fully integrating men's experiences and perspectives within familial contexts. 5. Analyze the family from a symbolic interactionist perspective. Answer: Symbolic Interactionist Perspective on the Family: • Micro-level Analysis: Examines how family roles, identities, and relationships are constructed and negotiated through everyday interactions, symbols, and shared meanings. • Social Construction: Views family roles as socially constructed through language, gestures, rituals, and shared experiences within familial contexts. • Critique: May overlook broader structural influences (such as economic factors or institutional norms) that shape family dynamics and inequalities. Conclusion: Analyzing the family through multiple sociological perspectives provides a comprehensive understanding of its functions, inequalities, and social dynamics within diverse cultural and global contexts. Each perspective offers unique insights into how families operate, evolve, and contribute to broader societal structures and inequalities. 6. Analyze the family from a postmodern perspective. Answer: Postmodernism challenges traditional views of the family by emphasizing diversity, fluidity, and individualism. Key aspects include: • Fragmentation: Postmodernists argue that the traditional nuclear family model is no longer the dominant structure. Instead, families are characterized by diversity in forms (e.g., single-parent families, blended families, cohabiting couples) and fluidity in relationships. • Individualism: Postmodern families prioritize individual autonomy and personal fulfillment over traditional family roles and expectations. This can lead to increased diversity in family arrangements and lifestyles based on personal choices rather than societal norms. • Consumption and Identity: Families are viewed as consumers of various lifestyles and identities, constructing their family dynamics and roles based on personal preferences and cultural influences rather than conforming to traditional norms. • Globalization: Globalization influences family structures and relationships by connecting individuals across borders, impacting family dynamics, values, and identities through cultural exchange and migration. 7. Describe developing intimate relationships and establishing families. Answer: Developing intimate relationships and establishing families involve several stages and dynamics: • Courtship: Individuals engage in courtship rituals involving attraction, communication, and mutual interests, leading to the formation of romantic relationships. • Commitment: Couples transition from dating to commitment, often marked by exclusivity, emotional intimacy, and shared goals for the future. • Establishing Families: Establishing families includes decisions about marriage, cohabitation, or parenting. Families may be formed through legal or informal arrangements, reflecting cultural, religious, and personal values. • Challenges: Developing relationships and families can face challenges such as communication issues, conflicts over roles and responsibilities, and external pressures from social, economic, and cultural factors. 8. Discuss child-related family issues and parenting. Answer: Child-related family issues and parenting encompass various aspects: • Parenting Styles: Different parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved) impact child development, behavior, and socialization. • Childcare: Balancing work and childcare responsibilities affects parental well-being, child-rearing practices, and family dynamics. • Education: Parents navigate educational choices and support children's academic, social, and emotional development. • Challenges: Child-related issues include parenting stress, discipline strategies, sibling relationships, and navigating transitions such as adolescence and adulthood. 9. There is a growing trend among American (and other Western societies) couples to seek a surrogate mother. Discuss. Answer: The trend of seeking surrogate mothers reflects evolving family structures and reproductive technologies: • Reasons: Couples or individuals may seek surrogacy due to infertility, same-sex partnerships, medical conditions, or personal choice. • Legal and Ethical Issues: Surrogacy raises legal, ethical, and emotional concerns related to reproductive rights, financial agreements, consent, and the well-being of surrogate mothers and children. • Social Acceptance: Increasing social acceptance and legal recognition of surrogacy reflect changing attitudes toward family formation and reproductive autonomy. 10. Identify transitions and problems in families. Answer: Families experience various transitions and challenges: • Life Transitions: Transitions include birth, adoption, marriage, divorce, relocation, career changes, and generational shifts. • Crisis and Stress: Families face crises such as illness, financial difficulties, loss, addiction, and legal issues, impacting relationships and well-being. • Support Systems: Effective coping strategies involve social support, communication, resilience, and accessing professional resources such as counseling and community services. Conclusion Analyzing the family from diverse perspectives highlights its complexity, adaptability, and significance in shaping individual identities and societal structures. Understanding evolving family dynamics and challenges informs policies, practices, and support systems that promote family well-being and resilience in a changing world. Test Bank for Sociology in Our Times: The Essentials Diana Kendall 9781337109659, 9781111305505, 9781305094154
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