soc 315 ch 13

C. Although there are some wealthy grandparents that live with and take care of their grandchildren, the majority of these families are low income. Research also suggests that despite the financial difficulties, these grandparents still tend to willingly take care of their grandchildren due to a sense of family loyalty.

C

C. Defamilialization refers to policies that are seen to free people from family dependency and make family relationships more voluntary.

B.

B.

C. As the level of economic inequality has increased the prospects for children's social mobility have gone down. Compared to children in other advanced democratic countries, children in the United States today are more likely to end up in the same social class position as their parents.

A.

A.

C.

D. inequality within families is lower now than it was half a century ago, mostly because women have increased the amount of income they earn (by spending more hours in the labor force and gaining higher wages) and men have had no real wage increases.

C. Proponents of the critical perspective take a more active attitude toward family change, arguing that policies that help to free people (especially women) from the need to rely on their families promote equality and diversity.

A.

A. Policies that reflect the singular ideal are those that promote stable married-couple families. Programs that promote diverse family types, such as same-sex couples, divorcing couples, and single parents, would not be promoted under the singular ideal perspective.

C.

D.

Or are there merely social changes and challenges just as there have always been throughout history? There has been an overall decline in the number of American children born since the baby boom But there have also been different family opportunities with the expansion of civil rights and a growing acceptance of diversity (interracial marriage, gay and lesbian rights, etc.).

The condition of difference in experiences or characteristics of people in a population

The condition of difference in experiences or characteristics of people in a population Diversity can be thought of by its theoretical extremes: Conditions under which there is no diversity (where everyone is the same) Conditions under which there is complete diversity (where everyone is different) The range of diversity can be described with a single number - the Diversity Index. -A diversity index gives us a calculated number that tells us the probability of the difference between the characteristics of two random people

Immigration and growing racial-ethnic populations in the United States Latin America and Asia Immigrants and the children of immigrants have higher rates of marriage and childbearing (higher fertility rates). Different childbearing patterns and family dynamics within and across racial-ethnic groups Many immigrants are young, healthy, and ambitious and are ready and able to have children. Countries of origin, cultures that encourage more children than the United States Social and cultural expectations to have many children, but then there are the reality and economic pressures of the contemporary economy Fertility rates affect composition of diversity in relation to other population groups Immigration policy and politics

Religious identity is important for families. Religious traditions and practices can impact how people behave and interact to a very large extent. This extends to traditions and practices within and between families. Religion can affect every stage of family life.

Religious birth-related customs include the traditional Jewish practice of circumcision and Christian baptism (in some denominations) .

Religion can influence may details of marriage, including choice of spouse and wedding ceremony. Marriage is an important stage in the life course of the adult. It can be a time when religious heritage is reaffirmed.

There are many religious-based parental practices, such as corporal punishment and modeling appropriate behavior and values.

There are many religious family and community rituals involving funerals, interment (burial), and so forth.

Also increasing diversity in the ways in which families are created and formed The end of the 1950s marked a time of transition for family types and the paths taken to create these family types. In the 1950s, the great majority of heterosexual Americans married early, lived in isolated nuclear families, and had more children (relative to today's standards). These family formations still exist, but they are not as common. There is much more diversity (more extended households, single-parent families, individuals living alone, etc.). There are many different family types and there is also a lot of inequality between the different family types.

The rise of economic inequality in the last 50 years is one of the most significant social developments we face (Stiglitz, 2013). There is a bigger gap between rich and poor families. The middle class experiences more insecurity. Cohen describes four types of inequality that pose significant challenges for individuals and families (outlined in the next four slides): between families within families from generation to generation for people with no family These four types of inequality have implications for the future of the family.

The (modern) increase in individuality has affected families, but not equally. One major factor that contributes to inequality between families is education and educational levels. Individuals with less education are less likely to get married. Individuals with college degrees are more likely to get married. Those with college degrees are also more likely to get married to others with college degrees and to stay married. College-educated wives are also more likely to be employed than in the past. The result is more bifurcation between families with two high-income earners and families with one low-income earner. People with less education also tend to have more children. High-income two-parent families have more resources to devote to each individual child.

Income is not the only contributing factor or indicator of inequality. There are other assets and advantages that contribute to inequality between families. Health is an important aspect of well-being in families, and the health of an individual is connected to the type of family in which he or she lives. For example, there is a large body of research that demonstrates that married people are healthier than those who are not married

The use and allocation of time is another resource that can create disparities and inequality between family types. Individuals with many family members can combine resources and divide tasks. This can free up time for employment or more time with children, for example (Cohen, 2002). Time is a dimension of social inequality that is difficult to measure but is very important, especially when it comes to issues of the family.

Level of social acceptance is also difficult to measure but important to family structure. Individuals can experience social stigma or isolation as a result of their family structure. This can lead to many severe social problems. There are still common stigmas and stereotypes around certain family types (same sex couples, foster parents, single parents, etc.).

The second type of inequality that challenges individuals and their families is within families. But not every type of inequality is increasing. Inequality within families is actually decreasing (now lower than 50 years ago). This is mostly because women make more income by working more hours at higher paying jobs than in the past (Blau & Kahn, 2000). Housework and child care are now shared more equally than in the past (Sayer, Cohen, & Casper, 2004). And the preferential treatment of sons over daughters within families has decreased (Raley & Bianchi, 2006). But not everything within families is completely equitable, and family equality is still a concern for the future. In general, men still earn more income and work longer hours than women. Women have lower earning power than men and career opportunities are still more limited. Women still do a larger portion of housework and child care These factors still contribute to some inequality within families.

Families used to be more limited in terms of social class and social class mobility, especially before modern capitalism. Family practices such as arranged marriage and primogeniture contributed to reproducing class status within families from generation to generation. Family class status and background still have an important influence today. But more opportunity for social class mobility was created for many individuals during the period of rapid industrial growth in the United States. However, after the 1970s, the chance for social mobility began to decrease again. The United States still clings to the myth of the Protestant work ethic and the American Dream, but the it now has lower levels of social mobility than other comparably developed countries (Beller & Hout, 2006.)

Most of the data in this text is about families and individuals within families. But there are those individuals without families . Social scientists and policy makers need to take these arrangements into consideration. These situations can also provide important information to sociologists about family structure and the place of the family in society. Situations where individuals may be without families include foster care, adoption, and so on. They also include other family forms that are impacted by other social and legal forces (same-sex couples, families torn apart by immigration, elders living alone, etc.). And they also include families whose choices are constrained by harsh demographic realities (mortality, joblessness and incarceration impacting African American marriage, etc.). Future family policies need to take into consideration these changing family forms.

: the historical change from a society with low life expectancy and high birth rates to one with high life expectancy and low birth rates -This transition describes a long, general process of social and historical change. Not all societies experienced this transition in the same way or at the same time. But it is a defining feature of modern society (Kirk, 1996). Before this transition, there were high rates of infant mortality (and mortality in general). This, in turn, spurred higher birth rates (births to replace the deaths). Families needed many children for labor. Mortality rates started to decline because of improved sanitation, clean water, improved medical practices, and so on. Child mortality in particular started to decline, and parents began having fewer children per family. The smaller number of children in each family contributed to slower population growth overall.

The relative number of people of each age in a population

More women are now working in the formal labor sphere for pay. Overall, women are generating more income and savings and contributing more to the formal economy. This includes women 55 years and older.

Individuals are not just living longer. Individuals are living a more healthy life for a longer period of time. Individuals are more able and willing to defer retirement. The federal government is also in raising the age of retirement (and eligibility for Social Security benefits). However, we still face the challenge of caring for a growing, aging demographic sector of older people (the oldest old). This has implications for future public policy decisions.

Individuals are not just living longer. Individuals are living a more healthy life for a longer period of time. Individuals are more able and willing to defer retirement. The federal government is also in raising the age of retirement (and eligibility for Social Security benefits). However, we still face the challenge of caring for a growing, aging demographic sector of older people (the oldest old). This has implications for future public policy decisions.

The variety of family forms and the individual family choices people make in the modern era have become increasingly diverse. There are a greater number of lifestyle choices. There is also a greater acceptance of a greater number of lifestyle choices. With increasing social diversity, there are many more models and examples for families to emulate (which in turn creates even more change).

Individuals who face the changes stemming from diversity are now thinking more about the family and its structure. Individuals are also justifying the choices they make as well.

There is a cultural expectation that each individual is free to make his or her own choices when if comes to decisions regarding the family. There is also the cultural expectation that free will and individualism should not be restricted too much (to some extent) by the state. The state has become increasingly less restrictive with regard to family choices (interracial marriage, adoption, reproductive technology, etc.). People increasingly expect the state arena to be separate from the family arena . However, this separation is not complete or universal, as exemplified in the debate over the legality of same sex marriage.

The singular ideal is that married couples must be male and female and children should be the biological offspring of the married couple. Promotes conformity instead of diversity This family arrangement should be reinforced through regulation, policies, and laws. There are those who hold this position. Opposed to the major trends of the last 50 years (same-sex marriage, no-fault divorce, cohabitation, unwed parenthood, etc.) Represents the decline of the family Similar to structural functionalist orientation Expressed by politically conservative Americans Two major branches to this line of thinking (representing two motivations for opposing the family diversity mode)l: religious, mandated by God The nuclear family is more functional (in line with the thinking of Talcott Parsons) and superior to other family forms. These two groups are not mutually exclusive and often overlap. This thinking leads to policies promoting stable, married, nuclear families. The policies are not very successful in curtailing diversity in the family and in fact, can be harmful because of the stigma they promote and encourage.

Liberal side of the American political spectrum Not necessarily against the traditional form of the family, but also are accepting of diversity Tolerance is not an endorsement, but more like acceptance Effect on policy of relaxing restrictions and regulations Permitting birth control, allowing divorce, recognizing civil unions and same-sex marriages Belief in the equal treatment of everyone Extending equal rights to people in all families Not endorsing one type of difference over another Critics: liberal attitudes contribute to the decline of the family

Critical perspective - a more active attitude toward change Feminist perspective - the traditional family should be in decline The traditional family involves power and unequal relationships between men and women (and children) that are problematic. The breakdown of the dominant family form is the result of hard fought battles and is necessary. Judith Stacey, \"Good Riddance to 'The Family'\" The traditional family form actually contributes to inequality and hinders the emergence and acceptance of diversity. Policy agendas to emancipate people (especially women) from the patriarchal power structures inherent within the family and society Welfare support for poor women, paid family leave, Defamilialization - to free people from family dependency and make family relationships more voluntary (Saraceno & Keck, 2011)

Families can be the sites where inequality is produced or experienced. Families can also be sites of resilience, caring, and cooperation. Two examples of growing trends in family arrangements illustrate the type of diversity in society today (next four slides): Young adults living with their parents Children living with their grandparents

The age at which people first marry has increased. More people are attending school into their 20s. The number of people dependent on and living with their parents has increased as a result (Furstenberg, 2010). This is also caused in many instances by financial hardship. Larger families and multigenerational living arrangements often indicate situations in which one stable income earner is (partially) supporting other family members. There are other arrangements and motivations as well (immigration, single parenting, going back to school, etc.).

There are many instances where children live with their grandparents. There are many causes for this (unemployment, health reasons, incarceration, neglect, etc.). A small fraction of wealthy grandparents live with their grandchildren, but this phenomenon is much more common in lower-income situations.

: A For peer instruction (PI) in the classroom, give students the opportunity to answer the next set of questions using clickers or colored cards. Results may be displayed to the class, or the results can be postponed until after the peer sharing process. Have students pair with another student who answered with a different answer . Allow time for discussion (approx. two to three minutes; this time may be modified) . Have students share these new answers (again through individual clickers or colored cards). Discuss the results as a class.

A For peer instruction (PI) in the classroom, give students the opportunity to answer the next set of questions using clickers or colored cards. Results may be displayed to the class, or the results can be postponed until after the peer sharing process. Have students pair with another student who answered with a different answer . Allow time for discussion (approx. two to three minutes; this time may be modified) . Have students share these new answers (again through individual clickers or colored cards). Discuss the results as a class.

: A For peer instruction (PI) in the classroom, give students the opportunity to answer the next set of questions using clickers or colored cards. Results may be displayed to the class, or the results can be postponed until after the peer sharing process. Have students pair with another student who answered with a different answer . Allow time for discussion (approx. two to three minutes; this time may be modified) . Have students share these new answers (again through individual clickers or colored cards). Discuss the results as a class.

Answer: A For peer instruction (PI) in the classroom, give students the opportunity to answer the next set of questions using clickers or colored cards. Results may be displayed to the class, or the results can be postponed until after the peer sharing process. Have students pair with another student who answered with a different answer . Allow time for discussion (approx. two to three minutes; this time may be modified) . Have students share these new answers (again through individual clickers or colored cards). Discuss the results as a class.

D Discussion: Demographic transition is a term that refers to the historical change from a society with low life expectancy and high birth rates to one with high life expectancy and low birth rates.

B Discussion: The singular ideal position refers to the perspective that change is bad, which is generally held by conservatives who feel that married opposite-sex couples with their own biological children are the ideal family type to which everyone should strive. This position goes against diversity and instead promotes its opposite: conformity.

: D Discussion: Policies that reflect the singular ideal are those that promote stable married-couple families. Programs that promote diverse family types, such as same-sex couples, divorcing couples, and single parents, would not be promoted under the singular ideal perspective

B Discussion: Defamilialization refers to policies that are seen to free people from family dependency and make family relationships more voluntary.

C Discussion: Although there are some wealthy grandparents that live with and take care of their grandchildren, the majority of these families are low income. Research also suggest that despite the financial difficulties, these grandparents still tend to willingly take care of their grandchildren due to a sense of family loyalty.