Families and their Social Worlds

Zusammenfassung

For undergraduate courses in the sociology of the family.

Focuses on studying the family through a sociological lens.

Families and Their Social Worlds discusses how the family is viewed on a macro level, by examining policies in place and how those policies impact families. The author encourages students to think about families beyond their own personal experiences, and even beyond family structure in the United States. Her goal is to impart a passion for critical thinking as students see that families exist within social worlds. Important policy considerations are imbedded in each chapter to illustrate what is currently being done, and perhaps even more importantly, what can be done to strengthen families and intimate relationships.

Inhalt

IN THIS SECTION:

1. BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS

2. COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS

BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Chapter 1: Families and the Sociological Imagination

Chapter 2: Families Throughout the World: Marriage, Family, and Kinship

Chapter 3: Families Throughout History

Chapter 4: Sex, Gender, and Families

Chapter 5: Social Stratification, Social Class, and Families

Chapter 6: Race, Ethnicity, and Families

Chapter 7: Courtship, Intimacy, and Partnering

Chapter 8: Marriage: A Personal Relationship and Social Institution

Chapter 9: Becoming a Parent

Chapter 10: Raising Children

Chapter 11: Violence and Abuse

Chapter 12: Families and the Work They Do

Chapter 13: Aging Families

Chapter 14: Divorce and Repartnering

COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Part I: Understanding Families and Their Social Worlds

Chapter 1: Families and the Sociological Imagination

What Are Families?

The Sociological Imagination

Familes and Social Change

The State and Family Policy

Themes of This Book

Conclusion

Chapter 2: Families Throughout the World: Marriage, Family, and Kinship

Functions of the Family: Variations and Universals

Differences in Marriage and Family Pattern

Patterns of Power and Authority

Patterns of Kinship, Descent, and Inheritance

Patterns of Residence

Modernization Theory: Social Change and Families

World Systems Theory: Social Change and Families

Families Around the World

Conclusion

Chapter 3: Families Throughout History

Why Study Family History?

Families in Preindustrial Socities

Family Life in Preindustrial United States

American Families in the Nineteenth Century

Families in the Twentieth Centry: The Rise of the 'Modern' Family

Recent Family Issues and Their Historical Roots

Conclusion

Chapter 4: Sex, Gender, and Families

Sex and Gender: What's the Difference?

Where Do We Learn Gender?

The Pitfalls of Masculinity

Institutional Sex Discrimination: Patriarchy

Does Patriarchy Exist in Western Nations?

Implications for Families

Social Policy and Family Resilience

Conclusion

Chapter 5: Social Stratification, Social Class, and Families

Social Class and Family Relationships

What Is Social Stratification?

Social Class in the United States

Family Focus, How Calss Matters: Health, Health Insurance, and Family Well-Being

Families in Poverty

Social Policy and Family Resilience

Conclusion

Chapter 6: Race, Ethnicity, and Families

Increasing