Attached.

Sociology of the Family- Outline
Thesis Statement: A theory is an explanation of where different facts and phenomena of the
social world draw their connections from. It is a statement presenting a collection of ideas
explaining human society.
I. Theories
II. Marriage
III. Poverty
IV. Racism
V. Fertility
VI. Economic impact
VII.

Violence


Running head: SOCIOLOGY OF THE FAMILY

Sociology of the Family
Name
Institution

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SOCIOLOGY OF THE FAMILY

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Sociology of the Family

1.

Define ‘Theory.’ A theory is an explanation of where different facts and phenomena of

the social world draw their connections from. It is a statement presenting a collection of ideas
explaining human society (Jamrozik & Nocella, 1998). One theories used to study families is the
conflict theory which views the family as a vehicle to maintain patriarchy and promote gender
inequality. The functionalist view is one that portrays family as a system that works together to
promote social functioning and stability. The symbolic interaction theory views the family as
deriving meaning in the communication, interpretation, and adjustments among individuals. The
feminism theory views the family as a tool that historically upheld gender inequality and works
to integrate equality in family units. The fifth theory is the social exchange theory which shows
the family as a site for using different resources to bargain advantages in relationships. The
family system theory is a holistic approach interested in how the family functions. Finally, the
biological theory promotes that human evolutionary biology affects family-related behavior
(Jamrozik & Nocella, 1998).
Reference
Jamrozik, A., & Nocella, L. (1998). The sociology of social problems: Theoretical perspectives
and methods of intervention. Cambridge University Press.
2.

Types of Marriages. There are various types of marriage patterns found around the

world. The primary patterns are monogamy, polygyny, polyandry, and group marriages. In
monogamy, one man is married to one woman, with adjustments made for non-heterosexual
marriages as well. This is the most common marriage pattern in the world. In polyandry, one
woman is married to several men. This is a rare type of marriage commonly observed among few
tribal societies in the world (Pomeroy, 2002). Additionally, in polygyny, one man is married to

SOCIOLOGY OF THE FAMILY

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several women. Although it is more common than polyandry, it is not as universal as monogamy.
It was especially common in earlier civilizations. Lastly, group marriages, a rare form of
marriage, includes a marriage agreement involving a more than one man and more than one
woman. Children are considered as belonging to the group. Group marriages are very rare and
involve a complex set of rules governing the dynamics of the group.
Reference
Pomeroy, S. B. (2002). Spartan Women. Oxford University Press, USA.
3.

Slavery on African American Families. Slavery had a generally negative effect on

African American families during colonial America. Enslaved people could not legally get
married in any American colony during the colonial era. This meant that their ability to form
stable families was greatly inhibited. In some plantations, African Americans lived in unofficial
nuclear families with father, mother, and children belonging to the same owner (Dunaway,
2003). Due to slave trade, this meant that families could easily be broken up when a member is
sold to another owner. Generally, family relations were undermined by slavery through the lack
of a legal framework for marriage and hence formation of a family. The unofficial families faced
constant threat of separation due to slave trade. Therefore, the impact of slavery on African
American families was negative since it disrupted the environment for a healthy family unit. The
disruption of family unity also disrupted the relationships among family members.
Reference
Dunaw...