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Andrew Cherlin, author6th Edition McGraw-Hill Publishers

Prepared by Cathie Robertson, Grossmont College

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., All Rights Reserved

Family tieshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iliLnQmaEOA

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Public and Private Families

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On one hand, marriage-centered family life remains the preference

On the other, there is much more tolerance for family life without the boundaries of marriage

To never marry is acceptable

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◦ Individualism:Pursuing own interestsPriority->Developing personally rewarding life

Utilitarian Individualism: ◦ Emphasis on:

Self-reliancePersonal achievement

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◦ Expressive Individualism: ◦ Emphasis on:

Developing one’s feelingsEmotional satisfaction

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Most Americans want to marryBut…

Feel less need (pressure)

Marriage may compete with:◦ Staying in school◦Developing a career◦ Cohabitating◦Having children

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The following chart indicatesindividualistic values

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Social Conservative definition— one “correct” family◦ Two parent◦ Breadwinner-homemaker family

Economic definition—rules about who qualifies to be family member◦ Two or more persons residing together and related

by:BloodMarriageOr adoption

◦ Only those that “qualify” are eligible for benefits

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Cultural definition—varies from culture to culture◦ Western Nations◦ Monogamy—one husband and one wife◦ Serial monogamy—one husband and one wife at a time

◦ African, Arabic and Asian nations◦ Polygamy—more than one spouse at a time

Polygyny—Men have more than one wifePolyandry—Women have more than one husband

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Two key questions about public responsibilities and private benefits of a family

1. How well are families taking care of children, the frail elderly, and the ill? (public family)

2. How well are families providing emotional satisfaction for members? (private family)

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Definition of the “Public Family”: One adult OR two adults Related by marriage, partnership, or shared parenthoodTaking care of dependents And the dependents themselves

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Costs and Benefits

Externalities: Costs or benefits to others when an individual or business produces something

Negative externalities: Costs imposed when an individual or business produces something of value to itself

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Positive externalities: Benefits received by others when individuals or businesses produce something for which they are not fully compensated.

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•Private goods and services•Use benefits only the consumer

•Public or collective goods•Consumption affects the welfare of third or "external" parties

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Public Goods◦ Things that might be enjoyed by or benefit people who

did not pay for or produce them:

◦ Children◦ Social Security ◦ Highways◦ National Defense

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Functions for society:

◦ “Produce” children

◦ Care for young, poor, sick, and elderly

Performing these tasks saves public funds

The free-rider problemPeople who obtain and enjoy public goods

By letting others produce the goods

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Definition:Two or more individualsWith intimate relationship expect will last Same household Combine income

Share household labor

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Intimacy Emotional supportLoveFinancial support(to family members)Children form first attachmentsTeenagers move toward independenceAdults share inner selves with someone else

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Kinship Assigned —Acquired at birth or marriage

Based on cultural roles

Created—Bound by ties of:◦ Affection◦ Concern◦Obligation◦ Responsibility

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Scientific method – Systematic, organized steps that ensure maximum objectivity and consistency in doing research

Objectivity—Unaffected by own beliefs

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Two Research Methods:

1. Survey

2. Observation

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Survey: Individuals selected, usually at random◦Asked a set of questions

Observational study: Researchers directly observe participants

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National Surveys◦Large◦ In-person interviews◦Longitudinal◦Conducted by academic researchers◦ Intended for public use

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Four perspectives or theories1. Exchange

2. Symbolic Interaction

3. Feminist

4. Postmodern

• Economic model• Calculation of Rewards and Costs of relationships

• Costs and benefits of family members’ behaviors

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◦Women exchange household & childcare services for men’s income◦Men perform paid labor in exchange for household & childcare services performed by women

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Interpret symbolsShared understandings of how people should act (social roles)Useful in analyzing interactions between or among family membersGenerational differenceshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqMn_R_NuVU&feature=related

Unique contributions to family studies

1. Families are social groups

2. Individuals develop their selves through social interaction

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Power & inequality based on gender

Men’s domination of women

Men & women experience family life differently

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Personal life changed over the last several decades

Modern era—Mid 19th century to mid-to-late 20th century

In the modern era, individuals moved through a series of roles (student, spouse, parent, housewife, breadwinner) that seemed “natural”

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◦ Postmodern era began mid-to-late 20th c.

◦ Individuals must make choices about nearly all aspects of their lives

◦ Whether to get married, have children; cohabit, focus on career, childcare

Self-identity: Person’s sense of who she is & where he fits in social structure.

Reflectivity: Process of taking in knowledge, reflecting on it, and altering behavior as a result

Functionalist Perspective

Conflict Perspective

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Dominant in 1950s

Focus on men’s and women’s different but complementary roles

Social stability and cooperation

Family as a social institution contributing to the stability of society

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Focus on:InequalityPower◦ Physical force◦ Control of economic resources

Social change

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Family as a social institutionRecognizes major functions◦ Rearing children, ◦ Caring for elderly◦ Providing comfort and emotional support to its members

How individuals change family as an institution