CAR M1 - Societal Institutions Flashcards
Societal institutions
Established or standardized patterns of rule-governed behaviour for individuals with a shared common purpose or clearly defined territorial space. They include
* family
* education
* religion
* economic and political institutions.
(Social) Norms
These are the rules of behaviour that are considered acceptable in a group or society. People who do not follow these norms may suffer some kind of consequence (such as exclusion from a. family/ community, isolation, the lack of a sense of belonging). Norms may vary according to the environment or situation, and may change or be modified over time.
Functionalism
The theoretical perspective that best reflects how Caribbean society has, over time, been shaped by those in authority. The principles of preserving order and suppressing change that it represents reflect those espoused (supported) by the colonizers and colonialists in order to establish and preserve colonial society.
Conflict theory
First developed by Karl Marx, it is a theory that society is in a state of perpetual conflict because of competition for limited resource. It is the core and philosophy of Marxism.
Marxism
This is the political, economic and social theories developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, which support the principle that the struggle between social classes is a determining factor in economics and that there should eventually be a classless society. (Capitalism bad, communism good).
Family
This is the primary social unit that socializes infant and children in the norms, values and practices of the unit and the wider group or society. It exists as a group of people, usually living under the same roof, related by blood, marriage or through adoption.
Socialization
The lifelong process by which a person learns about the culture and values of their society - acceptable and non acceptable behaviours, how to accept social rules and how to perform certain skills. Socialization is thus the means by which social and cultural continuity is attained. In addition to the family, institutions responsible for socialization include schools, peers, mass media and religion.
Marriage
A legally sanctioned contract between spouses that changes the legal statues of both spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between the spouses, between them and their children and between them and their in-laws. The definition of marriage varies according to different cultures, but it is principally an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually sexual, are acknowledged.
Hybridisation
The process through which cultures mix to create new forms
Endogamy
The choice of marriage partner is restricted to a defined community. The opposite is exogamy, where social norms require marriage partners to be found from outside the community.
Matrifocal
Caribbean families in which the mother is the centre of the household.
These are families that are mother-centered: women in their role as mothers become key to organizing the family group. Men tend to be marginal to this organization and to the household. Where matrifocal families are common, marriage is less common.
Coined in 1956, this term refers strictly to Caribbean societies, is related to the working class and is dominant among those of African descent.
Nuclear family
This consists of a mother, father and their unmarried children living under the same roof. This form was first introduced to the region by the white Christian colonizers and followed the nuclear European family
Extended family
Consists of members beyond a mother, father and their children. Several generations may live together in one household. There may be several married siblings and their children, together with grandparents and other relatives. Generally, this family form is predominant among East Indians, particularly Hindus and Muslims.
Single parent family
This occurs when only one parent, either the mother or father, lives with and takes responsibility for raising children.
In the Caribbean, the number of matrifocal households, headed by a mother, far outnumber those headed by a father. UN figures show that in the earl 1980s, 44% of all households in Barbados were headed by a woman. For the first half of the 1990s, the figure was 42% for Antigua & Barbuda
Common-law marriage aka De Facto Union
Two adults who have been co-habituating as a couple for over 5 years.
- This family union is very common/ popular in the Caribbean. Partners live together by mutual agreement without being legally married. In some Caribbean countries, including Barbados, after 5 years, a common law-partner is entitled to the same rights as one who is legally married. (Getting things if they spilt etc)
- Widespread in the Englishspeaking Caribbean, especially among the Afro-Caribbean community.
