[Link] .Sharaf.
Alddin Chapter : Family and Marriage
2022-2023 [Link]
CHAPTER
FIVE
FAMILY
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[Link] .[Link] Chapter : Family and Marriage
2022-2023 [Link]
Chapter
five
Family
[Link] SHARAF
ALDDIN
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[Link] .[Link] Chapter : Family and Marriage
2022-2023 [Link]
Chapter 5
Family
1. Introduction ( family and marriage )
2. Family (family types and functions)
3. Family stages
4. Challenges families face
5. Marriage types and patterns
6. Divorce as a phenomena
7. Chapter summary
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1. Introduction
Marriage and family are key structures in most societies. While the two
institutions have historically been closely linked in many cultures , their
connection is becoming more complex.
The relationship between marriage and family is an interesting topic of study to
sociologists. What is marriage?
Different people define it in different ways. Not even sociologists are able to
agree on a single meaning. For our purposes, we’ll define marriage as a legally
recognized social contract between two people, traditionally based on a sexual
relationship and implying a permanence of the union.
In practicing cultural relativism, we should also consider variations, such as
whether a legal union is required (think of ―common law‖ marriage and its
equivalents), or whether more than two people can be involved (consider
polygamy1) etc….
Sociologists are interested in the relationship between the institution of marriage
and the institution of family because, historically, marriages are what create a
family, and families are the most basic social unit upon which society is built.
Both marriage and family create status roles that are sanctioned by society.
So what is a family2? A husband, a wife, and two children—maybe even a pet—
has served as the model for the traditional family for most of the 20th century.
But what about families that deviate from this model, such as a single-parent
household? Should they be considered families as well? The question of what
constitutes a family is a prime area of debate in family sociology, as well as in
politics and religion.
Social conservatives tend to define the family in terms of structure with each
family member filling a certain role (like father, mother, or child). Sociologists, on
the other hand, tend to define family more in terms of the manner in which
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تعدد الزوجات
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"Sociology of Families: Change, Continuity, and Diversity" by Teresa Ciabattari
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members relate to one another than on a strict configuration of status roles. Here,
we’ll define family as a socially recognized group (usually joined by blood,
marriage) that forms an emotional connection and serves as an economic unit of
society.
2. Family
family types and function
A. The types of families with examples:
Nuclear Family :
Definition: Consists of parents and their children living together in one
household.
Example: A family with a father, mother, and their biological or adopted
children sharing a home.
Extended Family:
Definition: Encompasses relatives beyond the nuclear family, often spanning
multiple generations.
Example: Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins living in close proximity
or maintaining strong connections.
Blended Family:
Definition: Formed through remarriage, where one or both partners bring
children from previous relationships.
Example: A family with a stepmother or stepfather, and children from both
partners' previous marriages or relationships.
Single-Parent Family:
Definition: Comprises a single parent raising one or more children.
Example: A mother or father taking on the role of both caregiver and
provider for their children.
Childless Family:
Definition: Couples without children by choice or due to circumstances.
Example: A married couple focusing on careers, travel, or personal pursuits
without having children.
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Understanding the diversity of family structures is essential for appreciating the
rich tapestry of human relationships and the various ways families contribute to the
social fabric.
B. Functions of family3 :
Family functions refer to the roles and purposes that families serve in the
lives of their members and within society. These functions are crucial for
the well-being and development of individuals. Here are some key
aspects of family functions:
Socialization: Families are primary agents of socialization,
teaching values, norms, and behaviors to the younger generation.
They provide the foundation for understanding societal
expectations.
Emotional Support :Families offer emotional support and a sense
of belonging. Members can seek comfort, encouragement, and
understanding within the family unit, fostering emotional well-
being.
Economic Cooperation: Historically, families have functioned as
economic units. Members contribute to the family's financial well-
being through labor ,sharing resources ,and collaborating on
economic activities.
Educational Support :Families play a crucial role in education,
influencing cognitive and intellectual development. They provide a
supportive environment for learning, which is essential for a child's
academic success.
Cultural Transmission :Families pass down cultural traditions,
customs, and heritage from one generation to another. They help
preserve a sense of identity and connection to cultural roots.
Protection and Security: Families provide physical and emotional
protection, creating a secure environment for their members. This
includes safeguarding against external threats and offering support
during challenging times.
Reproduction and Continuity :Families are fundamental in the
process of reproduction, ensuring the continuity of the family
lineage and contributing to the growth of the population
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Families and Societies: Changing Perspectives" by Carles Feixa and Mònica Figueras-Maz
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Social and Recreational Activities :Families engage in social and
recreational activities together, fostering bonding and creating
shared experiences. These activities contribute to the overall
quality of family life.
Crisis Management: Families often act as a support system during
crises, providing assistance and coping mechanisms to overcome
challenges and adversities.
Health and Well-being :Families influence health behaviors and
lifestyle choices. They can contribute to the overall well-being of
their members by promoting healthy habits and providing care
during illness.
Balancing Work and Family :Families assist members in balancing
work and family life, addressing issues of time management and
quality family time.
Counseling and Guidance: Families offer guidance and counseling,
helping members navigate life's challenges and make important
decisions.
3. Stages of Family Life
As we’ve established, the concept of family has changed greatly in recent decades.
Historically, it was often thought that most (certainly many) families evolved
through a series of predictable stages.
Developmental or ―stage‖ theories used to play a prominent role in family
sociology.
Today4, however, these models have been criticized for their linear and
conventional assumptions as well as for their failure to capture the diversity of
family forms. While reviewing some of these once-popular theories, it is important
to identify their strengths and weaknesses. The set of predictable steps and patterns
families experience over time is referred to as the family life cycle.
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"The Family: Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change" by Philip N. Cohen
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Stage Theory
1. Marriage Family Childless
2. Procreation Family Children ages 0 to 2.5
3. Preschooler Family Children ages 2.5 to 6 4
4. School-age Family Children ages 6–13 5
5. Teenage Family Children ages 13–20
6. Launching Family Children begin to leave home
7. Empty Nest Family ―Empty nest‖ adult children have left
home
The family life cycle was used to explain the different processes that occur in
families over time.
Sociologists view each stage as having its own structure with different challenges,
achievements, and accomplishments that transition the family from one stage
to the next.
For example, the problems and challenges that a family experiences in Stage 1
as a married couple with no children are likely much different than those
experienced in Stage 5 as a married couple with teenagers. The success of a
family can be measured by how well they adapt to these challenges and transition
into each stage.
While sociologists use the family life cycle to study the dynamics of family
overtime, consumer and marketing researchers have used it to determine what
goods and services families need as they progress through each stage5 .
As early ―stage‖ theories have been criticized for generalizing family life and not
accounting for differences in gender, ethnicity, culture, and lifestyle, less rigid
models of the family life cycle have been developed. One example is the family
life course, which recognizes the events that occur in the lives of families but
views them as parting terms of a fluid course rather than in consecutive stages 6.
This type of model accounts for changes in family development, such as the fact
that in today’s society, childbearing does not always occur with marriage. It also
sheds light on other shifts in the way family life is practiced.
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(Murphy and Staples 1979).
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(Strong and DeVault 1992
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4. Challenges Families Face
As the structure of family changes over time, so do the challenges families face.
Events like divorce and remarriage present new difficulties for families and
individuals. Other long-standing domestic issues such as abuse continue to strain
the health and stability of today’s families.
5. Marriage types and patterns
Marriage types and patterns exhibit a diverse spectrum of structures
observed across various cultures and societies, reflecting the intricate
tapestry of human relationships. Key variations include
Monogamy: The prevailing form, entailing a union between two
individuals, remains the most widely practiced across cultures.
Polygamy
a. Polygyny: Involves one man having multiple wives, a practice
found in certain societies where cultural or religious norms
permit.
b. Polyandry: Occurs when one woman has multiple husbands, a
comparatively rare arrangement observed in specific cultural
contexts.
Arranged Marriage: Prevalent in many cultures, this type involves
families or intermediaries playing a significant role in selecting
spouses. It often emphasizes compatibility beyond individual
preferences.
Cohabitation: A modern trend sees couples living together without a
formal marriage contract, reflecting changing societal norms and
attitudes towards relationships.
Temporary Marriage (Nikah Mut'ah): Practiced in some Islamic
traditions, this form allows a temporary contractual marriage with a
specified duration, recognizing the flexibility of marital arrangements
in certain cultural contexts
Civil Marriage : This type involves a legal union recognized by civil
authorities, emphasizing the contractual and legal aspects without
necessarily involving religious ceremonies. Civil marriage provides a
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formalized structure for couples in societies where legal frameworks
are distinct from religious institutions .
These marriage patterns continually evolve, shaped by the intricate interplay of
cultural, religious, and societal norms, showcasing the richness and diversity
inherent in human relationships.
6. Divorce and Remarriage Divorcei
American society as a case (read )
While fairly common and accepted in modern society, was once a word that would
only be whispered and was accompanied by gestures of disapproval.
In 1960, divorce was generally uncommon, affecting only 9.1 out of every 1,000
married persons. That number more than doubled (to 20.3) by 1975 and peaked in
19807 .
Over the last quarter century, divorce rates have dropped steadily and are now
similar to those in 1970. The dramatic increase in divorce rates after the 1960s has
been associated with the liberalization of divorce laws and the shift in societal
make up due to women increasingly entering the workforce8.
The decrease in divorce rates can be attributed to two probable factors: an increase
in the age at which people get married, and an increased level of education among
those who marry—both of which have been found to promote greater marital
stability.
Divorce does not occur equally among all Americans;
some segments of the American population are more likely to divorce than others.
Men and women in the Northeast have the lowest rates of divorce at 7.2 and 7.5
per 1,000 people. The South has the highest rate of divorce at 10.2 for men and
11.1 for women. Divorce rates are likely higher in the South because marriage
rates are higher and marriage occurs at younger-than-average ages in this region. In
the Northeast, the marriage rate is lower and first marriages tend to be delayed;
therefore, the divorce rate is lower.
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(Popenoe 2007).
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(Michael 1978).
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7. CHAPTER SUMMARY
What Is Marriage? What Is a Family? Sociologists view marriage and families as
societal institutions that help create the basic unit of social structure. Both
marriage and a family may be defined differently—and practiced differently—in
cultures across the world. Families and marriages, like other institutions, adapt to
social change.
Variations in Family Life Americans’ concepts of marriage and family are
changing. Increases in cohabitation, same-sex partners, and singlehood are
altering of our ideas of marriage. Similarly, single parents, same-sex parents,
while in Arabian societies it’s different !
Challenges Families Face Today’s families face a variety of challenges,
specifically to marital stability. While divorce rates have decreased in the last 25
years, many family members, especially children, still experience the negative
effects of divorce. Children are also negatively impacted by violence and abuse
within the home, with nearly 6 million children abused each year.
DONE HOPE YOU A FRUITFL READING
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Study the assignment you have done with your friends as a team work (divorce as a phenomena)
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