Family:

Different Theories
 Institution
A relatively long-standing social
arrangement, made up of a stable set of
values, norms, attitudes, and behaviors
that develop around a basic social need
 Family as a set of Norms
(Meadow and Stacey): What counts as a family?

Fifteenth Century: Who were our families?

Victorian era (circa 1835-1901) Who became our families?

 Types of Marriage Systems
1) Polygamy:
2) Bigamy:
3) Polygyny:
4) Polyandry:
 Structure-Functionalism
(from the point of view of society)
Focuses on the structural properties
and important social functions
performed by the institution
(Meadow & Stacey: SF reflects tacit cultural view at the time,
e.g., “Naturalness of inevitability of the nuclear Family).
 Conflict Perspective
(from the perspective of society)
Emphasizes how the family perpetuates patterns
of social inequality. Rather than providing
benefits to the society as a whole (SF), the family
is seen as the principle institution in which the
dominance of men over women is expressed in
society.
 Exchange Theory
Focuses on issues of cost, reward,
available resources, and equity in
interaction. Basic premise: individuals
use their different individual resources
to bargain and secure advantage in
relationships
 Interactionism
(from the perspective of individuals)

Emphasis on individual & situation:

concerned with internal family
dynamics. How is “meaning
constructed” within that family?
 Family System
A holistic theory, i.e., examining the family
as a whole.

This perspective is interested in how the

family a as system handles information,
deals with problems, and regulates
contact with the outside world.
 Biological Perspective
Proposes that human evolutionary biology--
anatomy, genetics, hormones--affect
family related behavior
(e.g. Gender Roles)
“Boys will be Boys”
vs.
“We promote them to be that way”
 Feminist Perspective
(Comes out of the conflict perspective)
1. Central focus on “the politics of gender”
* Male dominance in family and society is oppressive to
women
* What is good for one family member may not be good for
the other members

2. Brought attention to what was previously overlooked:

Wife abuse; Domestic Violence; Marriage Rape; etc.
 Feminist Perspective
Gender is central to the analysis of
Theme family; male dominance in family and
society is oppressive of women.
Key Male dominance; Power and
Concepts inequality; Sex/gender systems
Work and family; Domestic violence;
Current
Family power; Advocacy of women’s
Research
issues
Theoretical Perspectives: Waiting
for Medical Attention
 Family ecologists might
speculate about the
family’s home and
neighborhood and how it
affects their health.

 Conflict theorists would

compare this clinic with the
doctors’ offices that provide
health care to the middle and
upper classes and demand
change.
Theoretical Perspectives: Waiting
for Medical Attention
 Structure functionalists might
note the child-raising
function(s) the woman is
performing for society.

 Interactionists might explore

the mother’s body language:
What is she saying nonverbally
to the child? What is he saying
to her?
Theoretical Perspectives: Waiting
for Medical Attention
 Exchange theorists might
speculate about the woman’s
power and resources relative to
others in her family.

 Family system theorists might

point out that the mother and
child are part of a family
system: Should one leave the
family, relationships would
change and adapt.
Theoretical Perspectives: Waiting
for Medical Attention
 Feminist theorists might point
out that typically mothers, are
responsible for their children’s
health and ask why.

 The answer from a biosocial

perspective would be that
women have evolved a stronger
nurturing capacity.
 Family: Definitions
What’s your definition?
Book’s Definition:
Any sexually expressive or parent-child or other kin
relationship in which--usually related by ancestry,
marriage, or adoption--(1) form an economic unit and
care for any young, (2) consider their identity to be
significantly attached to the group , and (3) commit to
maintaining that group over time.
Pp. 9