Gender & Family

Question 1

Do we have one definition of family?

Answer 1

No. In sociology, there are many different definitions of family

Question 2

Give two examples of different definitions of family

Answer 2

1. A group of two or more people linked by an intimate relationship, a commitment to continue the relationship, identification, very close emotional ties
2. Spouses and their children (adopted), if any (family can also be incomplete and extended)

Question 3

What is the nuclear family?

Answer 3

It is the normative family type of the 2nd half of the 20th century, legitimised by the law and reproduced by other institutions. It is a social group consisting of two adults of opposit sex in a socially recognised sexual relationship with their biological or adopted children

Question 4

What is the extended family?

Answer 4

Consists of three or four generations, together with the nuclear family are persons of the same ancestor and related lineage and/or relatives of both spouses

Question 5

What are the 4 subtypes of extended family?

Answer 5

1. A family of three generations: parents, children, grandparents
2. Relative family: More than three generations, still relatives to each other
3. Tribal family: usually created on a social rather than a biological basis. The responsibility of raising children lies with several individuals. The sister of a biological mother can be called a mother for example.
4. Polygamous family: It is a family with several wives (rarely several men)

Question 6

What is LAT?

Answer 6

Living apart together. Families where members live in two households meet regularly

Question 7

What is the modern or postmodern family?

Answer 7

An institution in which the choice of partner is based on free will. It may consist of two partners with or without children

Question 8

How can the history of family be analysed?

Answer 8

Through the formation of love and relationships; gender roles; peculiarities of childhood and child-caring; household formation; division of labour

Question 9

How is rights involved in family?

Answer 9

Family includes the rights to certain obligations, socialisation, assistance, and inheritance

Question 10

What can the paintings from 1400’s tell us about family?

Answer 10

Wives are primarily valued for childbirth and housework. The husband was the window to the society. A family was a symbol of loyalty in a couple

Question 11

What are the origins of the family?

Answer 11

hunter/gather: small families are formed as everyone has moved from place to place.
Development of agriculture: Families become larger, helping each other in the fields
Industrialisation: the true beginning of traditional family understanding

Question 12

What was the gender balance like in the industialisation (1820-1929)?

Answer 12

Breadwinner - housewife. Called a cult of domesticity

Question 13

How was the relationships in the lower classes of the industrial age?

Answer 13

There is no time for love and attachment for either children or each other. This was because they had to work so much and did not have time to spare

Question 14

What was the 4 values of femininity during the industrial age?

Answer 14

1. Devotion/fear of God
2. Obedience/humility
3. Purity
4. Devoted to family/home

Question 15

What was the devotion/fear of God?

Answer 15

The mother had a duty for the religion and if it was lacking, it was consideredan extremely obscene personality trait. If a woman wanted to read, she had to choose from a list of religious books that were morally acceptable to the authors

Question 16

What was the obedience/humility?

Answer 16

Men were actors and producers, and a good woman was passive next door. She is expected to be gentle, quiet, love children, be weak and dependent, and a need to be protected. She should work quietly and invisibly

Question 17

What was the purity?

Answer 17

A woman needs a transparent heart, mind, and body. The loss of virginity before marriage is worse than death

Question 18

What was the devotion to family/home?

Answer 18

The most valued feature of them all. The female place is at home. The woman does the housework to the satisfaction of their man

Question 19

What was the parent-child relationship like in the industrial age?

Answer 19

It was a resource for survival for the family. Children were expected to work to provide for the family as well

Question 20

What happened during WW2?

Answer 20

Many women filled factories and manufactoring, as many men left their homes to fight in the war. This meant that women started to become sligthly more independent, and more divorces took place

Question 21

What was the golden fifties?

Answer 21

It was a short-lived re-emergence of traditional roles of women after the war. We have the baby boomers generation being born in this period

Question 22

Since the 60’s, how has family changed?

Answer 22

There are lower birthrates and higher divorce rates. There is more postponement of childbirth and a growth of education. Women are no longer just a mother, she is also making money

Question 23

How was marriage important already 10 000 years ago?

Answer 23

With the agricultural revolution, the right of property was ensured through marriage. Also to secure heir

Question 24

Has marriage always been between only two people throughout time and place?

Answer 24

No. Many places, usually men, have married multiple partners

Question 25

Have marriage always been between man and woman?

Answer 25

No, there have even been same-sex marriages in the Christian church. In 1061, in Spain, two men did marry under the church

Question 26

What is the marriage gradent?

Answer 26

Women tend to “marry up” while men “marry down”. Meaning women go for older, richer and higher status than themselves belonging to

Question 27

What theories do we have on marriage?

Answer 27

1. Protection theory of Marriage
2. Exploitation theory of Marriage
3. Cooperation theory of Marriage

Question 28

What is protection theory of marriage?

Answer 28

Marriage is the basis of economic stability. It ensures the maintenance, production and distribution of goods and services

Question 29

What is the exploitation theory of marriage?

Answer 29

It is the cornerstone of patriarchal power and the primary way in which men benefit from the labour of women

Question 30

What is the cooperation theory of marriage?

Answer 30

It was a way to share resources and therefore to help ensure the survival of greater number of the kin or tribal group. Turning strangers into relatives and enemies into allies

Question 31

What is marriage of love?

Answer 31

A concept of marrying out of love, which is a very new concept in humanity (1500->). Often it was an arranged marriage

Question 32

Are arranged marriages still common?

Answer 32

Some places. Up to 50% of the world still functions this way

Question 33

What is the difference between monogamy and polygamy?

Answer 33

Monogamy: Relationship between only two people
Polygamy: relationship between more than two people

Question 34

What are the challenges of parenting?

Answer 34

1. There are growing responsibilities
2. It is a profession without a diploma
3. The state is involved in raising children
4. Parents “cannot” make mistakes

Question 35

How does gender play a role in parenting?

Answer 35

There are expectations to fatherhood and motherhood in most societies

Question 36

How are men and women dealing with housework in the 60s compared to today?

Answer 36

Men are doing slightly more housework, women are doing less. This is mostly due to technological advancements, though, giving women more freedom rather than men taking on tasks

Question 37

What seems to be common for marriages in history?

Answer 37

They determine rights and obligations connected to sexuality, gender roles, relationships with in-laws, and the legitimacy of children. It also gives the participants specific rights and roles within the larger society