Families and Their Social

Families and Their Social Worlds Fourth Edition Karen Seccombe Instructor's Manual 1 / 4

Table of Contents 1.Families and the Sociological Imagination 2.Families Throughout the World 3.Families Throughout History 4.Sex, Gender, and Families 5.Social Stratification, Social Class,and Families 6.Race, Ethnicity, and Families 7.Courtship, Intimacy, and Partnering 8.Marriage as a Personal Relationship and Social Institution 9.Becoming a Parent 10.Raising Children 11.Families and the Work They Do 12.Aging Families 13.Violence and Abuse 14.Divorce, Repartnering,and Remarriage 15.Summing Up Families and the Sociological Imaginatio 006E 2 / 4

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Chapter 1: Families and the Sociological

Imagination Chapter Context This chapter introduces a sociological imagination to the study of families and intimate relationships. Rather than seeing families as simply personal and private relationships that operate in a random fashion, we recognize that many seemingly personal family issues are related to broader social concerns. Given the differences among families, along with racial, ethnic, class, and cultural diversity, how is it possible to understand families in any systematic way? This course will use a sociological perspective to examine and interpret families and show that all human behavior, including family life, occurs in a social context.Lecture Outline 1.1 Determine the multiple definitions of family I.The U.S. Census Bureau defines a family as two or more people living together who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption. This definition remains the basis for many social programs and policies, including employee fringe benefits, such as health and dental insurance or family and medical leaves.A.Nonetheless, this official definition doesn’t really reflect the rich diversity of family life today.II.We use a broader and more inclusive definition than that taken from the Census Bureau. Families are defined here as relationships by blood, marriage, or affection, in which members may cooperate economically, may care for any children, and may consider their identity to be intimately connected to the larger group.A.This definition could also include fictive kin, who are nonrelatives whose bonds are strong and intimate, such as the relationships shared among unmarried homosexual or heterosexual partners, or very close friends.III.The definition used has important consequences with respect to informal and formal rights.

1.2 Compare scientific approaches to sociology I.Many of our personal experiences are not simply random events. Instead, they are shaped by social structure, which is the organized pattern of relationships and institutions that together form the basis of society.II.Using a sociological imagination reveals general patterns in what otherwise might be thought of as simple random events.III.The sociological imagination uses a comparative perspective to study families. 3 / 4

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IV. The sociological imagination also values an empirical approach, a method that answers questions through a systematic collection and analysis of data. The goal

can be to:

• Describe some phenomenon
• Examine the factors that predict or are associated with some phenomenon
• Explain cause-and-effect relationships or provide insight into why certain

events to or do not occur

• Understand the meanings attached to behavior and situations.
• There are six primary research methods used in Sociology to collect data. These

include: Survey, In-depth Interview, Experiment, Focus Groups, Observation,

and Secondary Analysis.VI. Research is guided by theory, which is a general framework, explanation, or tool used to understand and describe the real world. Often-used theories include structural functionalism, Conflict, Feminism, Social Exchange, Symbolic Interactionism, Developmental, and Family Systems.

1.3 Analyze major political perspectives on family in the U.S.

• Any cursory review of family history will show that families have undergone

tremendous changes over time. The meanings and implications of these changes generate considerable debate.

• Some people are concerned that the family is in trouble, citing “the

neglect of marriage,” “lack of commitment by men,” “loss of child centeredness,” “the rise in cohabitation,” and “fatherless families.”

• Others remind us that the good old days of the past never really existed

as we’ve fantasized about them. They argue that families have always faced challenges, including desertion, poverty, and children born out of wedlock.II. Conservatives express grave concern that changes in family structure put children at risk and suggest that many challenges families face are linked to gross cultural and moral weakening.III. Liberals suggest that these family challenges result from economic and structural adjustments that place new demands on families without offering additional social supports.IV. Feminists attribute the difficulties children face to a lack of cooperation between the community, family, and employers to improve the quality of life.

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