Chapter 12: Marriage and Families Flashcards
(102 cards)
1
Q
How is family traditionally defined?
A
A group of two or more people who are related by blood, marriage, or adoption.
2
Q
What is the functional definition of family?
A
A group of two or more people who are mutually committed to one another and who care for one another.
3
Q
What is a nuclear family?
A
A married heterosexual couple and their young children living by themselves under one roof.
4
Q
What is an extended family?
A
A family consisting of parents, their children, other relatives, and even non-kin, living under one roof or compound.
5
Q
What are blended families?
A
Families that include step-parents and/or step-siblings.
6
Q
What is monogamy?
A
A marriage in which a couple are married exclusively to each other.
7
Q
What is polygamy?
A
A marriage of one person to two or more people at the same time.
8
Q
What is polygyny?
A
A form of polygamy where one man has multiple wives.
9
Q
What is polyandry?
A
A form of polygamy where one woman has multiple husbands.
10
Q
What is endogamy?
A
The practice of marrying within one’s own social group, such as by race, religion, or social class.
11
Q
What is homogamy?
A
The tendency to choose and marry a mate with similar characteristics, such as race, religion, and social class.
12
Q
What is exogamy?
A
The practice of marrying outside one’s own social group or category.
13
Q
What is bilateral descent?
A
A kinship system where both paternal and maternal ancestors are considered part of one’s family.
14
Q
What is unilateral descent?
A
A kinship system where lineage is traced through one parent only (either the father or the mother).
15
Q
What is patrilineal descent?
A
A kinship system where lineage is traced through the father’s side only.
16
Q
What is matrilineal descent?
A
A kinship system where lineage is traced through the mother’s side only.
17
Q
What is ambilineal descent?
A
A kinship system where children can be traced through either the father’s or mother’s side, depending on the situation.
18
Q
What is neolocal residence?
A
A living arrangement where a couple lives separately from both of their families of orientation after marriage.
19
Q
What is patrilocal residence?
A
A residence system where the wife lives with or near her husband’s blood relatives.
20
Q
What is matrilocal residence?
A
A residence system where the husband lives with his wife’s blood relatives.
21
Q
What is a patriarchal family?
A
A family where adult men are the primary authority figures.
22
Q
What is a matriarchal family?
A
A family where adult women are the primary authority figures.
23
Q
What is an egalitarian family?
A
A family where adult men and women share authority equally.
24
Q
How were families structured in preindustrial societies?
A
Families were often extended, with roles based on gender, and economic survival depended on cooperation in small communities.
25
How did industrialization change family life in the U.S.?
Men began working outside the home in factories, and women took on domestic duties, reinforcing gender roles and contributing to the rise of the patriarchal family structure.
26
What is a key theme in the historical study of families?
The nuclear family model of the 1950s, with the male as the breadwinner and female as homemaker, is considered a historical anomaly rather than a long-term norm.
27
What is the significance of the "Leave It to Beaver" family model?
It represents the 1950s ideal of a nuclear family, though less than 60% of American children lived in this family form during that time.
28
What is the functionalist perspective on families?
Functionalists focus on the essential functions families serve in society, such as socializing children, providing emotional support, regulating sexual activity, and offering social identity.
29
What is the conflict perspective on families?
Conflict theorists argue that families contribute to social inequality, reinforce patriarchy, and can be sites of conflict and violence.
30
What is the symbolic interactionist perspective on families?
Symbolic interactionists emphasize the shared understandings and communication patterns within families, and how social class influences marital expectations and relationships.
31
How do functionalists view sudden changes in family structures?
Functionalists believe sudden or far-reaching changes in family structure threaten family stability and societal order.
32
What is the role of wealth in families, according to conflict theorists?
Conflict theorists argue that families reinforce economic inequality by passing down wealth and social status, contributing to stratification.
33
How do gender roles evolve in families according to functionalism?
Functionalists view gender roles as essential for family function, with men typically being the breadwinners and women the homemakers, though this has changed in recent decades.
34
What impact does romantic love have on marriage in American culture?
Romantic love is the common basis for American marriages, though it is less common in other cultures where marriages may be arranged for economic or social reasons.
35
What percentage of households in the U.S. are family households?
About 65%
36
What is the percentage of adults who have never been married in the U.S. today?
29.5%
37
What percentage of marriages in the U.S. end in divorce after 15 years?
42%
38
What was the percentage of interracial or interethnic marriages in the U.S. in 2020?
10%
39
How has the approval of interracial marriages changed since 1961?
Approval of interracial marriage increased from 4% in 1961 to 94% in 2021.
40
What is the average age of first marriage in the U.S. today?
The average age at first marriage is 30.5 years for men and just over 28 years for women.
41
How do U.S. marriage rates compare to other postindustrial nations?
The U.S. has higher rates of marriage and divorce compared to other postindustrial nations.
42
What role does romantic love play in American marriage rates?
American marriage rates are partly influenced by a strong cultural emphasis on romantic love as a basis for marriage, which can lead to high divorce rates when love fades.
43
How do independence and individualism impact divorce rates in the U.S.?
U.S. emphasis on individualism and independence makes divorce more likely, as people prioritize personal happiness over marital preservation.
44
How many U.S. families have children under 18?
About 33.5 million U.S. families have children under 18.
45
What percentage of U.S. families with children are one-parent households?
About 30% of U.S. families with children are one-parent households.
46
What is the racial-ethnic variation in single-parent families?
Latinx, American Indian, and African American families are more likely to have single parents compared to white and Asian American households.
47
How does having children impact parents' emotional well-being?
Parents, especially those with young children, tend to experience more emotional distress and depression than their childless counterparts.
48
What is the average cost of raising a child in the U.S. from birth to age 18?
The cost ranges from $134,000 to $270,000 per child, excluding college education.
49
What is the trend in cohabitation among young adults in the U.S.?
The percentage of young adults aged 25-34 living with an unmarried partner rose from 12% in 2008 to 15% in 2018.
50
Does cohabitation affect the success of marriage?
Cohabitation before marriage has little effect on marriage success, with couples who don’t cohabit before marriage having slightly better long-term success.
51
How does cohabitation compare to marriage in terms of psychological well-being?
Married adults generally report better psychological well-being than cohabiting adults, although cohabiting couples fare better than those living alone.
52
How does the relationship violence rate compare among cohabiting, married, and dating couples?
Relationship violence is more common among cohabiting couples than among married or dating couples, especially among young adults (aged 18-28).
53
What does Figure 12.9 show about the U.S. divorce rate?
The U.S. divorce rate rose sharply in the early 1900s, with a peak in the 1970s and 1980s, and has since declined, reaching its lowest point in 2022.
54
What are common reasons for the increase in divorce rates during the 1960s and 1970s?
Increased economic independence for women, the decline in social disapproval of divorce, and the introduction of no-fault divorce laws.
55
How does the age at marriage affect the likelihood of divorce?
Teenagers who marry are more likely to divorce, while those who marry in their late 20s or older are less likely to divorce.
56
How does social class impact divorce rates?
People in lower socioeconomic classes are more likely to divorce due to financial stress, while those in economic comfort are less likely to divorce.
57
What are the psychological effects of divorce on spouses?
Divorce can lead to poorer mental health and happiness for both spouses, although some may experience improvement after leaving a contentious marriage.
58
How does divorce affect children?
Children of divorced parents are more likely to experience emotional distress, behavioral problems, and academic difficulties.
59
How do children fare when living with a single parent?
Children generally fare better when they have a close emotional bond with their nonresident father, regardless of which parent they live with.
60
What role does poverty play in family structure?
54% of children in low-income families live with a single parent, compared to only 20% of children in higher-income families.
61
How does race and ethnicity impact child poverty rates?
African American, Latinx, and American Indian children are more than twice as likely as non-Latinx white children to live in poverty.
62
How does daycare affect young children's development?
Children in daycare exhibit better cognitive skills but may also show slightly more aggression. The quality of daycare matters more than daycare versus staying at home.
63
How does working outside the home affect mothers?
Working mothers may experience stress and guilt, but children in daycare often perform better in cognitive skills compared to those raised at home.
64
What is the impact of U.S. daycare quality?
The U.S. lags behind other postindustrial nations in providing high-quality, affordable daycare, affecting children's development.
65
How does marriage impact well-being?
Married people tend to be happier, healthier, and have better psychological well-being than unmarried individuals.
66
Are there any exceptions to the benefits of marriage?
Marriage benefits seem greater for older adults, whites, and those who were psychologically healthy before marriage. Happy and healthy people are more likely to marry and stay married.
67
What was one of the most controversial contemporary issues concerning families?
Marriage equality for gay and lesbian Americans.
68
In July 2010, how many states allowed same-sex marriage?
Five states.
69
What legal benefits did civil unions provide to same-sex couples in 2010?
Civil unions offered some legal benefits but did not provide the full range of rights and privileges of marriage.
70
What did the 2015 Supreme Court ruling (Obergefell v. Hodges) do for same-sex couples?
It extended marriage rights to gay and lesbian people across all 50 states.
71
How many same-sex couple households were reported in the US by 2020?
594,000 households, a 50% increase from 2000.
72
What percentage of all partner-headed households in the U.S. are same-sex couple households?
1.5%
73
What did the 2015 Supreme Court ruling impact for same-sex couples?
It made federally mandated spousal rights and benefits, such as Social Security and family leave, apply to same-sex married couples.
74
How do same-sex couples compare demographically to opposite-sex couples?
Same-sex couples are typically younger (average age of 52) and have a higher average household income ($107K) compared to opposite-sex couples.
75
What percentage of same-sex couples have children under 18 years old?
18.5%, compared to 44.5% of opposite-sex couples.
76
Is there data supporting that opposite-sex parenting is better than same-sex parenting?
No, there is no data to support that claim.
77
How do children of lesbian couples compare in terms of behavioral problems and self-esteem?
Children of lesbian couples tend to have slightly lower rates of behavioral problems and higher self-esteem.
78
What was the effect of same-sex marriage legalization on suicide rates among high school students?
Suicide rates among high school students declined in states where same-sex marriage was legal.
79
How has social acceptance of LGBTQ+ people affected same-sex households?
It has led to an increase in the number of same-sex couple households, as more people feel comfortable sharing their identity.
80
Which racial/ethnic groups are more likely to live with only one parent?
Latinx, African American, and American Indian families.
81
Which racial/ethnic groups are especially likely to live in poverty?
African American, Latinx, and American Indian families.
82
What family characteristics are common among Latinx, Asian American, and American Indian families?
Strong family bonds, loyalty, and extended families.
83
How do extended families benefit racial/ethnic groups facing poverty-related problems?
Extended families serve as a valuable shield against racial, ethnic, and poverty-related problems.
84
What are the two types of family violence?
Violence against intimates (spouses, partners) and violence against children.
85
What is intimate partner violence (IPV)?
Violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner.
86
How many intimate partner violence victimizations occurred in the U.S. in 2020?
1.6 million violent victimizations (excluding simple assaults).
87
What percentage of women and men have experienced IPV in their lifetime, according to the CDC?
11 million women and 5 million men.
88
Is IPV equally common among men and women?
While mutual violence does occur, women's violence is often less serious and may be in self-defense.
89
What are common cultural myths that explain IPV against women?
Some men believe their wives should obey them, which can make it easier for them to justify violence.
90
Why do many women stay in violent relationships?
Economic dependence, lack of resources (e.g., shelters), and fear of retaliation from their partners.
91
How does IPV affect LGBTQ+ individuals?
IPV is generally higher among LGBTQ+ people than non-LGBTQ+ people.
92
What is the IPV experience rate among gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals?
26% of gay men, 44% of lesbian women, and 61% of bisexual women report IPV in their lifetime.
93
How does IPV affect transgender individuals?
38% of transgender people have experienced physical IPV, and 25% have experienced sexual IPV.
94
How does IPV affect college students?
College students experience psychological IPV most frequently, followed by physical and sexual IPV.
95
What are the types of child abuse?
Physical, psychological, emotional, sexual abuse, and neglect.
96
Why is it difficult to measure child abuse?
Young children may not communicate the abuse, and older children might fear reporting it.
97
How many children were victims of abuse and neglect in 2019?
Over 656,000 children (8.9 per 1000 children).
98
What types of abuse do most child victims experience?
74.9% experience neglect, 17.9% physical abuse, and 9.3% sexual abuse.
99
What are some reasons child abuse occurs?
Economic inequality, cultural attitudes toward corporal punishment, and substance abuse by parents.
100
How common is physical abuse in childhood according to a 1994 Gallup Poll?
12% of children had been physically abused.
101
What percentage of girls and boys are sexually abused before turning 18?
25% of girls and 10% of boys.
102
What is a significant risk factor for child abuse?
Substance abuse by parents. In 2019, 15.9% of maltreated children had alcohol abuse risk, and 29.4% had drug abuse risk factors.
