Diversity of family structures

Concepts

• Reconstituted family: A household from which one biological parent has departed and children live with the other biological parent and his or her new partner.

• Matriarchal/ Matrifocal: Mother or female-headed.

Nuclear familyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj-WJHUO6ag

Extended Family: Beanpole

Horizontally Extended Family

Single-parent families?• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MatUG_xTMg&feature=related

Sexual Diversity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJtAU9G1ANU&NR=1

Cultural Diversity

• Cultural diversity refers to differences in family lifestyles between ethnic and religious groups.

• It should be noted that much sociological literature and opinions on these family types are generalizations.

Pakistani and Bangladeshi families• Ballard (1982) found extended family

relationships most common among Southern Asians.

• Seniority lies with the eldest male (patriarchal).

• A report in 2000 found the highest rates of marriage were among Pakistani and Bangladeshi women (3/4 were married by 25).

• Few cohabiters.• Divorce rates are low.• Arranged marriages are still common

(different from forced marriages).• Little intermarriage between cultures and

religions.

Indian familieshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUjdsSfx7nY&feature=relmfu

• Ballard (1982) believes such families are patriarchal in structure.

• Arranged marriages are still common in such communities.

• Extended family groupings are common.

• Indian men (2nd and 3rd generation) often return to their parent’s country to marry.

Foeticide and Infanticide in India• Pandey (2011) claims the census shows a serious decline of

girls under 7 years.• Women are under pressure to bear sons, and forced to

have ultrasounds and selective sex abortions. Girls are often abused and neglected.

• In Kerala and Karnataka women enjoy high status and families are matrilineal.

Chinese familieshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPbxlAzm7tw

• In January 2011, Amy Chua, a Chinese academic and Mother of two children claimed ‘Chinese parenting’ was superior to Western parenting.

• Statistically, in education, Chinese students to better than their British counterparts.

• Chinese Mothers teach their children academic success is paramount and ensure their children achieve their potential through strict regimes.

China’s One Child Policy

• 35.9% of China’s population is subject to the one child restriction.

• Implemented in 1978 because of the burgeoning population and strain on its resource base.

• Policed through fines and economic disincentives.

• There are huge ethical dilemmas and the nature of an authoritarian state dictating child rearing options contravenes human rights.

• Eugenics, forced abortions, infanticide are a part of this regime.

African Familieshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYU3pLWhtxw

• There are vast cultural differences in Africa.• In traditional, rural areas, there are

extended family structures.• Families are patriarchal.• Marriages are not just between 2 people,

but 2 extended families, so they tend to be stable.

• Children are looked after by female kin and have a strong sense of social responsibility.

• Female Genital Mutilation is a huge problem among some religious and cultural groups in North- Eastern and North-Western Africa.

• Polygamous family structures.