Theoretical Perspectives IN THE STUDY OF THE FAMILY

Theoretical Perspectives …IN THE STUDY OF THE FAMILY

Perception vs. Perspective �Perception is the way the brain interprets an image or event. �Perspective is the way you perceive or interpret the meaning of an image or event. �Your perspective is influenced by the beliefs and values you hold. �It draws you towards some things and blinds you to others.

Social scientists attempt to answer… What happens? How does it happen? Why does it happen? How can people change what happens? Social scientists attempt to explain human behaviour from a particular perspective.

Theoretical Perspectives �Is a point of view about a subject. �Gives us a framework for asking questions. �Helps us to organize and manage research.

Micro vs. Macro Analyses �Macrosociological Analysis – focus on larger elements of a society such as social institutions and major demographic groups. �Microsociological Analysis – focus on small groups and interpersonal interactions.

Theoretical Perspectives �Sociological Theories Functionalism, Conflict Theory, Feminist Theories, Systems Theory �Psychological Theories Symbolic Interactionism, Exchange Theory �Interdisciplinary Theories Developmental Theories

Functionalism �Macrosociological perspective �Society is a system of interrelated parts that operate together in equilibrium to maintain the overall stability and efficiency of the society as a whole. Equilibrium - stable �Stability requires shared values and norms within society. �Change in one part of society always produces changes in other parts.

Cont’d… �Views the family as a social institution that performs certain essential functions for society. Social institutions – family, economy, government, education �Institutions take on manifest and latent functions. Latent – outcomes are unintended or unrecognizable � Post Secondary education is a “matchmaker” where students socialize with potential marriage partners. Manifest – outcomes are intended and recognizable � Post Secondary education provides students with knowledge and skills to become effective contributors to society

How would a Functionalist explain the impacts of a divorce?

Conflict Theory �Macrosociological perspective �Society is organized into groups to divide people according to their power/resources. �Conflict between the groups exist because of inequities in power and access to resources. �Conflict is a major contributor to social change.

Cont’d… �Societies are always changing and conflict will continue to exist but the groups may change. Examples in today’s society: Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal groups in Canada, young/old, urbanites/rural-dwellers �Economic inequality underlies many social problems. Crime, unemployment, homelessness, racism, physical and mental health issues.

Feminist Theories �Believe that women are oppressed because of the ideology that society has placed on men being better/dominate. Ideology – set of beliefs about the world. �There is a commitment to eliminate the social inequality of women and give them fairer opportunities.

Two Types of Feminism Radical Feminism Materialist Feminism

Radical Feminism �Believe that patriarchy is the main cause of women’s oppression. Patriarchy – when men are the authority figures in a family. They hold all the decision making power. �Believe that women must organize themselves separately from men to protect their own interests and foster a distinct women’s culture.

Materialist Feminism �Believe that inequalities exist because of the way society has been structured historically. �Believe women should organize themselves alongside men of similar social classes to solve the problems they are enduring.

Systems Theory �A sociological theory that examines how family members interact as a system. �Family members work together and influence one another in a relatively stable way over time. �Feedback – a process by which members learn how to interact to maintain the stability of the family system.

Cont’d… �Family systems are complex because of the number of subsystems. Family unit – members sharing a household Interpersonal – between individuals (i. e. husband & wife, mother & son) Personal – interaction between the individual as self and as a member of the family

Cont’d… �Family systems develop strategies to achieve the goals and functions of individuals and the family, and for interacting with the external society. Strategies – patterns of interaction that are repeated and require collaboration of all members to continue. �Family systems adapt to change when one person’s behaviour causes the behaviour of others to evolve. This leads to new strategies.

How would this relate to a new mom returning to the workforce?

Symbolic Interactionism �A microsociological theory – often considered a psychological theory �Society is the result of face-to-face interactions between people using symbols with shared meanings. Symbols – words, gestures, and/or signs that meaningfully represents something else � Example: honking your horn or shaking your fist indicates anger

Cont’d… �Most interaction between human beings is symbolic. Interaction depends on words and actions that have meanings beyond themselves. �People respond to others based on their understanding of each situation. Confusion arises when they are defining actions differently. �Society and it’s social relationships are always changing and being reconstructed by people.

How would this theory relate to new Canadians?

Exchange Theory �Psychological theory that looks at how people make choices by weighing costs and benefits in different situations. �Their goal is to maximize benefits and minimize costs. �Social roles are stable when the exchange is fair (benefits = costs). �Benefits and costs are based on perceptions, not facts.

Developmental Theory � Examines biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors that influence development. � There are predictable changes in behaviour throughout the lifecycle. � Looks at behaviour demonstrated by individuals or families at various stages. � Explains how a person or family adapts in response to internal or external stimuli. � Families have life courses with predictable stages marked by normative events like marriage and the birth of children.

Terminology � Androcentricity – a bias that assumes that male behaviour is human behaviour � Cohort – a grouping of people in society based on age and corresponding to fertility patterns � Norm – the most prevalent role behaviours in a group or society � Normative event – predictable events that most people in a society go through (i. e. graduating high school, marriage) � Status – a person’s social or professional standing in a society � Role – the set of behaviours that an individual is expected to demonstrate within a status