FAMILY
Types of Family
1. Nuclear Family
2. Step Family
3. Adoptive Family
4. Single-Parent Family
5. Extended Family
6. Same-Sex Parent Family
Characteristics of Family
1. Lineage
Patrilineal - The ancestry continues through
the father.
Matrilineal - The woman is believed to be
the ancestor of the family.
Bilineal - a system of descent or inheritance
in which both the male and the female lines
of descent are recognized.
2. Place
Patrilocal - Wife goes and lives in the house
of her husband.
Matrilocal - husband goes to live in the
house of his wife
Neolocal - husband and wife decides to
move away from their families and create an
independent household.
1. Patriarchal - The male is the head of family
inclusive of powers. He is the owner and
administrator of the family property and
right. To him all persons living in the family
are subordinated.
2. Matriarchal - The authority vests in the
woman head of the family. The male is
subordinated to her. She is the owner of
property and rules over family
Sociological Perspectives on the Family
1. Functionalist Perspectives on the Family
George Peter Murdock
Functionalists view the family unit as a
construct that fulfils important functions and
keeps society running smoothly. The family
performs several essential functions for
society. It (1) socializes children, it (2)
provides emotional and practical support for
its members, it (3) helps regulate sexual
activity and sexual reproduction, and it (4)
provides its members with a social identity.
2. Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives on
the Family
Reuben Hill
The conflict perspective views the family as
a vehicle to maintain patriarchy (gender
inequality) and social inequality in society.
The interaction of family members and
intimate couples involves shared
understandings of their situations. Wives
and husbands have different styles of
communication, and social class affects the
expectations that spouses have of their
marriages and of each other. Family
problems stem from different
understandings and expectations that
spouses have of their marriage.
3. Conflict Theorists Perspective on the
Family
Symbolic interactionists view the family as a
site of social reproduction where meanings
are negotiated and maintained by family
members.
The family contributes to social inequality
by reinforcing economic inequality and by
reinforcing patriarchy. Family problems
stem from economic inequality and from
patriarchal ideology. The family can also be
a source of conflict, including physical
violence and emotional cruelty, for its own
members.
Family and School Partnerships
Family-school partnerships are collaborative
relationships and activities involving school staff,
parents and other family members of students at a
school.0Family-school partnerships are founded on
the principles of:
