Theoretical Perspectives on the Family
Theoretical Perspectives on the Family
• Way of viewing reality
• Identify why family patterns and practices are the way they are
1) Family Ecology
• How family is influenced by the society around it
• Family choices/lives affected by economy, education, religion and other cultural institutions
• Ex: Great Depression – economically, people can’t afford children even if they wanted more kids
2) Family Development
• How family changes over time
• Family Life Cycle: o Addition/subtraction of members (death in a family, moving out) o Various stages children go through (children start school, go to high school, then college, then marriage) o Changes in family connections with other social institutions (retirement, or getting fired)
• Developmental Tasks must be mastered in order to transition to the next
• Role Sequencing – major transitions to adulthood
• Normative Order Hypothesis – work-marriage-parenthood sequence is vest for mental health and happiness
3) Structure Functional Theory
• Functions performed by the family as a social institution
1) Raise child responsibly
2) Economical support
3) Emotional support
• Roles patterned by beliefs, values, attitudes, norms – serve as essential social functions that enables society to survive
4) Interactionist Perspective
• Interactions within family members
• Do they communicate effectively?
• If they don’t = doesn’t allow for unique qualities to develop
• MAJOR CONCEPTS: o Self-concept – feelings people have about themselves o Concepts of identity – sense of uniqueness , “the self is developed initially in a family setting” o Role taking – expected behavior for each family member (associated with a social position) - Children learn appropriate behavior roles that they may play in adulthood through watching their parents, siblings assume that role – INTERNALIZED AND INCORPORATED TO SELF
5) Exchange Theory
• Exchange of resources that
• Way of viewing reality
• Identify why family patterns and practices are the way they are
1) Family Ecology
• How family is influenced by the society around it
• Family choices/lives affected by economy, education, religion and other cultural institutions
• Ex: Great Depression – economically, people can’t afford children even if they wanted more kids
2) Family Development
• How family changes over time
• Family Life Cycle: o Addition/subtraction of members (death in a family, moving out) o Various stages children go through (children start school, go to high school, then college, then marriage) o Changes in family connections with other social institutions (retirement, or getting fired)
• Developmental Tasks must be mastered in order to transition to the next
• Role Sequencing – major transitions to adulthood
• Normative Order Hypothesis – work-marriage-parenthood sequence is vest for mental health and happiness
3) Structure Functional Theory
• Functions performed by the family as a social institution
1) Raise child responsibly
2) Economical support
3) Emotional support
• Roles patterned by beliefs, values, attitudes, norms – serve as essential social functions that enables society to survive
4) Interactionist Perspective
• Interactions within family members
• Do they communicate effectively?
• If they don’t = doesn’t allow for unique qualities to develop
• MAJOR CONCEPTS: o Self-concept – feelings people have about themselves o Concepts of identity – sense of uniqueness , “the self is developed initially in a family setting” o Role taking – expected behavior for each family member (associated with a social position) - Children learn appropriate behavior roles that they may play in adulthood through watching their parents, siblings assume that role – INTERNALIZED AND INCORPORATED TO SELF
5) Exchange Theory
• Exchange of resources that