SOCIAL INSTITUTION

FAMILIES IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

 The standard sociological definition of family is a group of
people who are related to one another by bonds of bloods,
marriage, or adoption & who live together, form an
economic unit, & bear & raise children.
 We also define families as relationships in which people live
together with commitment, form an economic unit & care
for any young, & consider their identity to be significantly
attached to the group.
 Although families differ widely around the world, they also
share certain common concerns in their everyday lives.
 For example, women & men of all racial ethnic categories,
nationalities, & income levels face problems associated with
child care.
FAMILY STRUCTURE &
CHARACTERISTICS
In preindustrial societies, the
primary form of social
organization is through kinship
ties
KINSHIP
 Kinship refers to a social network of people based on
common ancestry, marriage, or adoption.
 Through kinship networks, people cooperates so that they
can acquire the basic necessities of life, including food &
shelter.
 Kinship systems can also serve as a means by which property
is transferred, goods are produced & distributed, & power is
allocated.
FAMILIES OF ORIENTATION &
PROCREATION
 During our lifetime, many of us will be
members of two different types of
families:
Family of orientation:
It is the family into which a
person is born & in which early
socialization usually take place.
Family of procreation:
It is the family that a
person forms by having or
adopting children.
EXTENDED FAMILY
An extended family is a family
unit composed of relatives in
addition to parents & children
who lives in the same household.
NUCLEAR FAMILY
A nuclear family is a family
composed of one or two parents &
their dependent children, all of
whom live apart from other
relatives.
MARRIAGE PATTERNS
 Marriage is a legally recognized &/or
socially approved arrangements
between two or more individuals that
carries certain rights & obligations &
usually involves sexual activity.
MONOGAMY
A marriage between two
partners, usually a woman &
man.
POLYGAMY
The concurrent marriage of a
person of one sex with two or
more members of the opposite
sex.
PATRILINEAL DESCENT
 A system of tracing decent through the
fathers side of the family.
 It is a setup in such a manner that a
legitimate son inherits his father’s
property & sometimes his position
upon the father’s death.
MATRILINEAL DESCENT
A system of tracing descent
through the mothers side of the
family women may not control
property.
BILATERAL DESCENT
The most common form.
A system of tracing descent through
both the mothers & fathers sides of
the family.
PATRIARCHAL FAMILY
A family structure in which
authority is held by the eldest
male (usually the father )
MATRIARCHAL FAMILY
A family structure in which the
authority is held by the eldest
female(usually the mother)
EGALITARIAN FAMILY
A family structure in which both
partners share power and
authority equally
PATRILOCAL RESIDENCE
The custom of a married couple
living in the same household (or
community)as the husband’s family
MATRILOCAL RESIDENCE
The custom of a married couple
living in the same household (or
community)as the wife’s family
NEOLOCAL RESIDENCE
The custom of a married couple
living in their own residence apart
from both the husband’s and wife’s
parents