SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS “THE FAMILY”

what a social institution is?

 It is a social structure and social mechanism of social order and corporation that
governs the behavior of its members.
 It is a group of social positions connected by social relations, performing a social
role.
 Any institution in the society that works to socialize the group of people in it.
So, what exactly is a family ?

 A group of people either by blood, marriage or adoption.

 A social institution that unites individuals into cooperative groups that care for one
another, including any children.
 People with or without legal blood ties who feel they belong together.

Family ties
are also
 Definitions varies from society to society.
called  Definition can change over time.
kinship .
Types of Family :

 Nuclear Family :Family structure  Extended Family :Family structure

comprised of parent(s) and children. comprised of parents and children as well
as other kins.
Marriage: A legal relationship, usually involving economic
cooperation, sexual activities and childbearing.
Types of Marriage

Endogamy Exogamy Monogamy Polygamy

b/w people of b/w people of That unites two That unites a

same social different social person with two or
partners.
category. categories. more spouses.

Polygyny Polyandry
(many women) (many men)
 Residential Patterns

Patrilocality(place of the Matrilocality(place of the

father ) mother ) Neolocality (new place )
 A residential pattern in which a  A residential pattern in which a  A residential pattern in which a
married couple lives with or married couple lives with or married couple lives apart
near the husband’s family . near the wife’s family . from both sets of parents .
Descent: The system by which members of a society trace
kinship over generations.

Patrilinear descent Matrilinear descent Bilateral descent (

Two sided descent )
 A system tracing kinship  A system tracing kinship  A system tracing kinship
through men. through through both men and women .
women .
THEORIES OF FAMILY
Structural-Functional Theory:

 According to this approach, family performs many vital tasks, for this reason the
family is often called the “backbone” of the society .
Functions of Family :

 Regulation of sexual activity

 Social placement
 Socialization
 Material and emotional security
Social Conflict and Feminist Theories :

This approach basically points out how this family perpetuates social inequality .
 Property and inheritance
 Patriarchy
 Race and Ethnicity
Micro-Level Theories Constructing Family
Life
Symbolic-Interaction Theory Social-Exchange Theory

 When family members share many  This theory describes courtship and
activities over time, they develop strong marriage as form of negotiation .
emotional bonds .
In patriarchal societies, gender roles dictates elements of exchange
 Men bring wealth and power to marriage
 Women bring beauty
 STAGES IN FAMILY LIFE
 COURTSHIP
 SETTLING IN
 CHILD REARING
 THE FAMILY IN LATER LIFE
Courtship: The period of developing a relationship with an
eye toward marriage or long-term partnership.

 Low and middle income countries.

 Culturally compatible.
 Effect of industrialization.
 Romantic Love.
 Homogamy: marriage between the people of same social characteristics.
Settling In:

 “Happily ever after”

 Passion
 Infidelity
 Sexual activity outside one’s marriage
Child Rearing:

 Life’s greatest joy.

 Preindustrial societies.
 Liability.
 No. of children.
 Traditionalists vs progressives.
The Family in Later Life:

 After sixties.
 “Empty Nest”
 Caregiving to grandchildren.
 “Sandwich generation”
 Death of spouse.
TRANSITIONS AND PROBLEMS IN
FAMILY LIFE
Divorce: Dissolution of marriage.

 Individualism is on the rise.

 Romantic love fades.
 Women are less dependent on men.
 Today’s marriages are stressful.
 Socially acceptable.
 Legally, easier to get.
Divorce and children:

 Custody.
 Financial support.
Family Violence:

 Violence against women.  Violence against children.

 Alternative Family Forms
 ONE PARENT FAMILIES
 COHABITATION
 GAY LESBIAN COUPLES
 SINGLEHOOD
One Parent Families: It consist of single mother or
father as a result of divorce or death of other partner.

 Disadvantages to children:
 Child get less attention.
 Less schooling.
 Risk of poverty.
Cohabitation: Sharing of household by an unmarried
couple.

 Independency of mind.
 It favors gender equality.
 Decision about the future(after 3 or 4 years).
Gay and Lesbian Couples: Registered
partnership with benefits of marriage of same sex couples.

 Equal advantages in inheritance, taxation and joint property ownership.

 Laws .
 Court declared it as a legal.
Singlehood: Is often defined as the state of being
unmarried.

 Fundamental problems in marriage.

 Freedom to grow.
 Self-sufficiency.
 Expanded friendships.
 Poor communication with spouse.
 Career opportunities.
 New Reproductive Technologies and
Families

 “Test tube babies”

 Advantages:
 Allow couples to have children.
 Reduce birth defects.
 Increased odds of having healthy baby.

 Disadvantages:
 Who is the mother ?
 Divorce.
 Should parents use genetic
screening ?
Families: Looking ahead

 Divorce rate.
 Diversity of family life.
 Child rearing and men.
 Economic changes.
 Reproductive Technologies.