Family The Basic Unit of Human Organization If

Family: The Basic Unit of Human Organization If defined functionally, the family is essentially universal. Its structural form and strength, however, vary greatly across cultures and time.

Family What is a meant by a family? • According to the Census Bureau, a group of two or more persons related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together.

Households What is meant by a Household? • According to the Census Bureau, all persons who occupy a housing unit.

Family Functions Replacements for dying members of the society must be produced.

Family Functions Goods and services must be produced and distributed.

Family Functions Provision must be made for solving conflicts and maintaining order within the family and the larger society.

Family Functions Children must be socialized to become participating members of the society.

Family Functions Individual goals must be harmonized with the values of the society.

Family Functions Procedures must be established for supplying intimacy and emotional gratification and for maintaining a sense of purpose within the family.

Structures of American Families What is meant by structure? • The parts that comprise a family and their relationships to one another

Structures of American Families What is a nuclear family? • A married couple and their children living by themselves.

Structures of American Families What is blended family? • A family in which one or both of the partners have been married before.

Family Groups with Children under 18: 2002 Two-Parent Mother-Child Father-Child All Races 69 23 4. 5 White 75 16 4. 7 Black 39 48 4. 0 Hispanic 64 25 4. 6 Asian 69 13 2. 3

Types of Marriage Kind Composition Monogamy One spouse and children Serial monogamy One spouse at a time but different spouses over time One spouse; live together as husband wife long Common-law enough that state recognizes couple as married without a legal ceremony. Functions Procreative, affectional, economic Same

Types of Marriage Kind Polygamy Composition Multiple spouses One husband, multiple Polygyny wives Functions Procreative, affectional, economic Any functions fulfilled by families in the past, power vested in male

Types of Marriage Kind Polyandry Group Composition Functions One wife, multiple husbands Any functions fulfilled by families in the past, power vested in female Two or more men married to two or more women at the same time Any functions fulfilled by families in the past, very rare

Types of Families Kind Nuclear family, Composition Husband, wife, children Functions Procreative, affectional economic consumption Might serve social, One or more nuclear educational, economic, Extended reproductive, families plus other family. affectional, and religious functions Two or more nuclear Composit Normally those of a families sharing a e family nuclear family common spouse

Types of Families Kind Composition Functions Many families living Usually those of the Tribal family in close proximity as extended family a larger clan or tribe Man, woman, and Any functions Consensual children living in fulfilled by families family legally unrecognized in the past relationship

Types of Families Kind Composition Functions Group of people living together with a All functions with common purpose with leadership vested in Commune roles and an organized form to responsibilities which all families are associated with the beholden. nuclear family Same as monogamy Usually a mother and without a legally Singlechild; father and child recognized parent family combination less reproductive common

Types of Families Kind Composition Extra female sexual partner recognized as Concubine a member of the household but without full status Husband wife, at least one of whom has been previously Reconstituted married, plus one or (blended) more children from previous marriage or marriages Functions Usually limited to sex and reproduction Any

Family: A Buffer against Mental and Physical Illness The family becomes more important as social stability decreases and people feel more isolated. • The healthy family can act as a buffer against mental and physical illnesses. • •

Family: A Buffer against Mental and Physical Illness n Ideally, each family member helps other family members in solving their individual problems. n Spouses can offer support to each other in stressful times n Siblings can be there for you, cousins….

Family: A Buffer against Mental and Physical Illness n The family has been called the shock absorber of society n A place where bruised and battled individuals can return after doing battle with the world n The one stable point in an ever changing environment

Intimacy n The term intimacy covers all of the feelings we have talked about n Intimacy is something we can all recognize – Holding hands – Cuddling on the couch – Being in someone’s personal space

Why do we avoid intimacy? n Fear of rejection? n Opening yourself up to get hurt? n What if they don’t love you back? n What about poor communication skills? n Is it possible not to understand intimacy? n What if people define it differently?

The Need for Intimacy n Intimacy is experiencing the essence of one’s self in intense intellectual, physical, and/or emotional communion with another human being.

Intensity matrix n Page 46

The Family as Interpreter of Society n The family is the main avenue for the socialization of young children – The physical and psychological nurturing of children into adulthood

Social learning theory n Without socialization children cannot internalize society’s rules, mores, taboos, and so forth – Modeling- observational learning • Learning by observing other peoples behavior

Unique Characteristics of the American Family § § § Relative freedom in mate and vocational selection. No arranged marriages College or trade school…. .

Unique Characteristics of the American Family § § Relative freedom within the family a high standard of living, physical mobility, lack of broader familial responsibilities § Freedom also leaves room for mistakes § Gangs? Crime?

Unique Characteristics of the American Family n An extremely private character – We all have our own home – We don’t live in tribes – Usually it is just the nuclear family under one roof – Very private, how many of you know your neighbors?

Quick Quiz

1. What is a nuclear family? The parts that comprise a family and their relationships to one another. b) A married couple and their children living by themselves. c) A family in which one or both of the partners have been married before. d) The physical and psychological nurturing of children into adulthood. a)