The Sociology of Family

Access: Sociology

January 2010 Ninn Goldsworthy

Sociology of Family

Defining family in Britain is problematic as until the 1960’s few sociologists questioned the importance or the benefits of the family. It was assumed that the family was evolving with the changes in Britain. From the 1960’s, with increasing divorce rates, living together before marriage, single parent families and one person households family traditionally seen as nuclear (based on 2 adults and children) became harder to define. Sociologists have concluded that family has become harder to define in the more traditional sense. Families of the same blood line that lived together in communities has become rare due to divorce, separation, unknown parentage and moving around the country for various reasons. A family can now consist of any group of people living together and/or bringing up children. This could separate due to divorce etc and another family created through remarriage or co habitation, with the introduction of step children or children born to the new parentage resulting in another family unit although the first one still technically exists.

George Peter Murdock (1949) claimed that family was universal. It is defined as a social group characterised by common residence, economic co-operation and reproduction. A family lives in the same home, has economic co-operation as in they share the bills, finances and food buying/consumption. The adults have socially approved sex, have one or more children either blood born or adopted. This definition of a universal family still has some relevance in post modern Britain. A family in the present day and age may just have one adult but still function as a unit. Defining socially approved sex would be a bit difficult as the differences between cultures and religious beliefs would make it harder to define socially acceptable. Two adults may live together as a family without having children and have independent finances other than the sharing of the mortgage/rent. Families, such as step parents, may call themselves a family even if the children do not actually live with them or haven’t officially adopted them through the courts.

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Polygamous means to have many relationships or marriages at the same time. Polygamous comes from the word polygamy which is Greek word meaning many marriages. Polygamous is also known as polyamorous or an open relationship. This may be conducted with or without the knowledge of the other person involved. Polygamy, when entered into within marriage is called polygny when a man takes more than one wife and polyandry when a woman takes more than one husband.

Patrilineal is a term used in kinship theory to denote the tracing of ancestors through the male blood line. It is also known as ...

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Patrilineal is a term used in kinship theory to denote the tracing of ancestors through the male blood line. It is also known as agnatic kinship. A Patrilineal group is a descent group that traces its ancestry to a single male ancestor. Common form of patrilineal documentations is through genealogy. The tracing of ancestors through the female blood line is called matrilineal.

A theory that the nuclear family is perceived to be the most ideal family in Britain is because a family consisting of two parents are normally more supportive than one. They provide a more secure and supportive environment with perspectives from both a male and female role model. A nuclear family helps society by reproduction through sexual activity therefore continuing the human race. This benefits society by carrying on the family values, both written and unwritten, and teaching the children the roles to which they are expected to fulfil. It also regulates sexual activity and keeps jealousy and conflict to a minimum as it is perceived that the norm for sex is within permanent relationships. Another example for the nuclear family is status and identity. By having two parents and a ‘stable’ home life it is perceived that children grow to be more stable adults, excel at education and stay on the correct side of the law. A child from a nuclear family feels more socially accepted than that of a single parent family as the child from the nuclear family is perceived as having more status and identity through the sharing of same parents and birth name with their sibling/s. A family with two parents is more likely to look ahead than a lone parent.

Other than nuclear families, there are other definitions of family life for example: The classic extended family. This is a large family that is made up of lots of smaller units of families. Unlike the nuclear family, this family can include three or four generations of grandparents, parents, children and other relatives. Families who fit the criteria of classic extended often live close together and see each other regularly. The sharing of childcare, meals and finances is considered the norm within this group. This type of family is often very close knit. They offer a lot of emotional and social support for one another, socialising in groups, holidaying together and sometime working together. A family of this type quite often has family run businesses that are passed on through the generations.

A second example could be a one parent family. This is when there is only one parent raising the child or children, either through separation, desertion or divorce. The role of parent can be filled by either the mother or the father. These families can survive by themselves as a unit or as part of an extended family.

The reconstituted or step family is a second or subsequent marriage for one or both of the adults. Often they bring their children from a previous marriage or relationship with them in to the new marriage/relationship or the children stay for short periods such as weekends or holidays, but functioning as a family unit all the same These families are often made from lone parent families or straight from a nuclear family in the matter of extra marital activities. In addition to step children and parents you also get the step grandparents and other family members making a new larger family unit similar to that of the classic extended family.

One last example of families other than the nuclear family is the modified extended family. These families may be a close family theoretically but geographically they live many miles apart or even on different continents. The families stay close and in contact through letters, phone calls, emails and visits. With the advent of better internet connections, and communication tools, the use of real time web cam video is a bonus for seeing the new born grandchild straight away! It has been recognised that this is the most common type of family in Britain at this time. Families move for a variety of reasons from work allocation through to separation and divorce. Or it may be that they had visited somewhere and liked it so moved away!

References:

Author unknown. (2007) Definition of different family types. Accessed 14/01/2010

Harambolos, M & Holborn, m. (2008) 7th Ed.Sociology, themes and perspectives Harper Collins. London

Scott, J. & Marshall, G (2009) Oxford dictionary of Sociology. Oxford University Press. Oxford UK.

Class Handout accredited to Sotirios Adamopoulos (12/09)

Class notes (12/09)

1,172.

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