Family

By Clare, Sydney, Jana, and Malik

What Is Family?

Family is defined as a group of people who are related by marriage, blood, or adoption and who live together and share economic resources

Sociology and Family

Sociologists study family “as an institution and unit of socialization”. Sociologists study gender roles, marriage, divorce, parenting, childhood, and the identities developed with in a family.

Types of Family: Nuclear family- (Dunphy’s “Modern Family”) defines a

family made up of a pair of adults and their children Extended family- (Full House) a family that extends beyond

the nuclear family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and/or other relatives, who all live in one household.

Modified extended family- (Everybody Loves Ray) family form that consists of several generations of a family who keeps separate households but stay emotionally bonded

consanguine family - a group of people related by biological or blood ties

conjugal/ affinal family- a group of people related by marriage ties

adopted family – (Cam, Mitch, & Lilly- “Modern Family) a group of people related by adoption

blended family- (Brady Bunch; Pritchett-Delgado Family “Modern Family) a family in which at least one adult is a step-parent

The “Typical American Family”

They “typical American family” used to be considered to be made up of a single income family with a working father, a stay-at-home-mother, two kids, and maybe even a few pets. How ever, this family model is no longer typical due to changing cultural norms like divorce, remarriage, same sex marriage, adoption, and teenage parents.

Family Roles:

Married Partners Unwed Partners Parents Housewives Breadwinners Only Child Adopted Child Controversy: Same sex marriage, adoption, teen parents,

Male/Female Role Pressure, Child rearing, single parents

CONSIDER THESE ROLES WHEN WATCHING THE VIDEO: WHAT DO WE SEE?

Birth Order Birth order is defined as the rank of siblings by age. First born common traits: Reliable, Conscientious, Structured,

Cautious, Controlling, Achievers Middle Children traits: People-pleasers, Somewhat rebellious,

Thrives on friendships, Has large social circle, Peacemaker Youngest Child traits: Fun-loving, Uncomplicated, Manipulative,

Outgoing, Attention-seeker, Self-centered

“Modern Family” Discussion Questions:

Describe the 3 types of families portrayed in the show. Which family best represents the “typical American family”? How does the show depict how the definition of family is being

changed? What roles and relationships do we see in the show? Are the birth order characteristics consistent with the

personalities of the children on the show? How do they relate and differ?

“Everybody Loves Raymond” Discussion Questions:

Describe the type of family we see in the film. Do the characters in the show stick to the traditional roles of

mother, father, grandfather, ect.? How does being a modified extended family help/cause conflict?

“Full House” Discussion Questions:

Describe the type of family the Tanners represent. How do roles change as a result of there not being a mother?

Who steps up? Why do you think that Michelle’s friend Teddy convinces her that

she needs a mother? Although the Tanners do not fit the mold of the traditional

American family, what traditional elements do we see? Are the birth order characteristics consistent with the

personalities of the Tanner children? How do they relate and differ?