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The Sociology of the family examines the family unit through various sociological perspectives, particularly with regard to the relationship between the nuclear family and industrial capitalism, and the distinct gender roles and concepts of childhood which arose with it. The sociology of the family is a common component on introductory and pre-university academic curricula, as it is perhaps the most simple 'institution' to which one may apply many fundamental sociological approaches.

Contents 1 Focus 2 Methodology 3 History 3.1 Hunting and Gathering societies 4 Journals 5 See also 6 References 7 External links 8 Further reading

[edit] Focus

Sociological studies of the family look at:

• demographic characteristic of the family members: family size, age, ethnicity and gender of its members
• social class of the family, the economic level and mobility of the family, professions of its members, the education levels of the family members
• what spheres of life are important in and to the family unit
• the effect of social change on the family
• the interactions of the family with other social organizations.
• diversity of family forms in contemporary societies in relation to ideology, gender differences, and state policies such as those concerned with marriage

Examples of specific issues looked at include:

• changing roles of family members. Each member is restricted by the sex roles of the traditional family, these roles such as the father as the worker and the mother as the homemaker are declining, the mother is becoming the supplementary provider and she retains the responsibilities of child rearing. Therefore the females’ role in the labour force is “compatible with the demands of the traditional family”.^[1] Sociology studies the adaptation of the males role to caregiver as well as provider. The gender roles are increasingly interwoven.
• increase in sole occupancy dwellings and smaller family sizes
• average age of marriage being older
• average number of children decreasing and first birth at later age
• the historical pattern of fertility. From baby boom to baby bust (instability)
• the ageing population. The trend towards greater life expectancy.
• rising divorce rates and people who will never marry.^[2]

[edit] Methodology

Research methods in the sociology of the family can be broken down to three major approaches, each with its own strengths and weaknesses; which need be employed in a study, then, relies largely on the subject of, and questions posed by, the research.

One approach is survey research of contemporary families. This holds the benefit of leaving statistical data and large and hopefully random samples from which a researcher can interpolate the general traits of a society. However, survey respondents tend to answer as would feel regular or ideal rather than as things might actually be. It also gives a very one-sided explanation view of a larger group which does not sufficiently allow for contention.

Another method is ethnographic research of families. Where surveys allow for broad but shallow analyses, observation allows sociologists to obtain rich information on a source of a much more limited size. It allows the research an "insider" perspective, and through this closer look a better idea of the actual social framework of families. Where surveys are strong, however, ethnographic research is weak. By reducing the size of a sample size, it may be no longer evident how representative the family being researched is to families at large within a society, and then also does not allow much room in linking the specific traits of the families being observed to a society more generally.

Finally, a researcher can use documented studies of families from the past as a source of information. These sources may include very personal items (such as diaries), legal records (census data, wills, court records), and matters of public record (such as sermons).

[edit] History

In attempting to explain contemporary society, it is important to look first at the social construction that lead to its development.

[edit] Hunting and Gathering societies

At an early stage of development societies may practice hunting and gathering. Ideal type characteristics for these societies include:

• Small groups (30-100 people)
• Open, elliptical camps
• Simplistic technology
• Children spaced apart 4–5 years in age (due to low fat diet and regular lactation)

Ideal type characteristics for labor division is as follows:

• Women
  • Gather 80% of food supply
  • Plant
  • Manage distribution of food
  • Care for children
  • Build/repair shelters
• Men
  • Hunt
  • Prepare the fields
  • Care for children
  • Build structures
• Children
  • Help to gather food
  • Discipline is passive
  • Cared for by siblings, parents, and other adults

The general ideology of these groups is typically:

• Egalitarian (no hierarchy of power; men, women, children cooperate)
• Monogamus and bilineal
  • Trial marriage
  • Divorce not common, nor traumatic
    • No wealth to divide
    • Children continue to be cared for by multiple adults

Modern governments tend to take issue with nomadic groups, often forcing them to settle in a particular location. This can have various effects on the way of life among these groups:

• Physical context
  • Solid permanent structures; doors close off families from one another
  • Small scale agriculture and flocks
  • Private property
  • Wider political and social contact for boys
• Division of labor
  • Women and girls
    • Preserve and prepare foods
    • Begin to be seen as domestic
  • Men and boys
    • Care for flocks
    • Broader social knowledge and ties
    • Begin to be seen as public leaders
• Ideology
  • Hierarchy
    • Stratification by gender
    • Stratification by class
  • Marriage and divorce
    • Become more formalized (parents take control)
    • Reinforces class privilege
    • Divorce becomes more problematic

[edit] Journals

• Family Matters by Australian Institute of Family Studies, ISSN: 1030-2646 ^[3]
• International Journal of Sociology of the Family
• Journal of Family History
• Journal of Marriage and Family

[edit] See also

• Sociology of fatherhood
• Sociology of childhood
• Structural functionalism
• Conflict theory
• Child abuse
• Domestic violence
• Extended family
• Family economics
• Family law
• Family studies in eugenics
• Hypergamy
• Nuclear family
• The WAVE Trust
• Youth studies

[edit] References

1. ^ Ibid., Bittman (1997)
2. ^ Bittman, M. and Pixley, J. (1997) The Double Life of the Family, Myth, Hope and Experience. Allen and Unwin, Sydney.
3. ^ Australian Institute of Family Studies. "Family Matters". http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/fammats.html. Retrieved 29 December 2008. 

[edit] External links

• American Sociological Association Family Section
• Kearl's Guide to the Sociology of the Family
• Family Facts: Social Science Research on Family, Society & Religion (a Heritage Foundation site)

[edit] Further reading

• The Blackwell Companion to the Sociology of Families, Wiley-Blackwell, 2003, ISBN 0631221581