Families & Households

• What is the organic analogy in sociology?

  Basic ideas of social institutions
• What is the primary socialization agent of society?

  Family
• What are the types of family structures?

  • Nuclear family
  • Extended family
  • Single/lone parent family
  • Reconstituted family
• What defines a nuclear family?

  Adult man, woman, and children
• What is the role of the man in a nuclear family?

  He is the breadwinner
• What does an extended family include?

  Other relatives like grandparents and aunts
• What is a single/lone parent family?

  One parent with children
• What are the past and present reasons for single/lone parent families?

  Past: death; Present: divorce
• What is a reconstituted family?

  New family created through marriage
• What are the stages of socialization?

  1. Primary socialization
  2. Secondary socialization
  3. Informal socialization
  4. Formal socialization
• What is primary socialization?

  First stage where children learn culture
• What is secondary socialization?

  Continual learning of norms and values
• What is informal socialization?

  Learning outside of institutions
• What is formal socialization?

  Learning within institutions like schools
• What are Murdock's four main functions of the family?

  1. Sexual function
  2. Reproductive function
  3. Economic function
  4. Socialization function
• What is the sexual function of the family according to Murdock?

  Expressing sexuality in a socially approved context
• What is the reproductive function of the family?

  Providing stability for reproduction and child-rearing
• What is the economic function of the family?

  Providing food and shelter for members
• What is the socialization function of the family?

  Primary unit for children's socialization
• What are Parsons' two family structures?

  Nuclear and extended families
• What is a geographically mobile workforce?

  People move to where jobs are located
• Why is the nuclear family easier to move than the extended family?

  Fewer members to relocate
• What is a socially mobile workforce?

  People avoid living together to reduce conflict
• What is the primary socialization of children according to Parsons?

  First stage of socialization process
• What is the stabilization of adult personalities?

  Family helps manage work-related stress
• What is the warm bath analogy?

  Family provides comfort after work stress
• What are criticisms of Parsons' view of the family?

  Downplays conflict and is outdated
• What is class conflict in Marxism?

  Conflict between bourgeoisie and proletariat
• What is ideology in Marxism?

  Set of beliefs and values
• What is dominant ideology?

  Beliefs of the most powerful groups
• What is false class consciousness?

  Failure to recognize real interests
• What is class consciousness?

  Awareness of real interests in social class
• What is ascribed status?

  Status one is born into
• What is alienation in Marxism?

  Estrangement from human nature in society
• What are means of production?

  Means used to produce goods and services
• What is capitalism?

  Trade controlled by private owners for profit
• What are the components of the structure of society?

  • Superstructure: family, religion, law, politics, media, education, ideology
  • Economic base: means and relations of production
• Who are the capitalist class?

  Bourgeoisie who own means of production
• Who are the working class?

  Proletariat who labor for capitalists
• What is Engel's view of the family?

  Transition from promiscuous horde to monogamy