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What is the sociological definition of a family? What is the sociological definition of a family?
Family is the setting for socializing children Family is the setting for socializing children
Family means a shared residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction Family means a shared residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction
Family is dependency Family is dependency
Families are defined by what they do Families are defined by what they do
It depends on the type of family and approach It depends on the type of family and approach
Family has different meanings at different times Family has different meanings at different times
Families can take many forms Families can take many forms
Human infants are born with sensory capabilities, not innate reflexes Human infants are born with sensory capabilities, not innate reflexes
Families share these factors across cultures Families share these factors across cultures
Polyamorous and non-monogamous relationships are widespread Polyamorous and non-monogamous relationships are widespread
A common residence differentiates family from close friends A common residence differentiates family from close friends
The family is responsible for producing new members The family is responsible for producing new members
Families are dependent on each other for multiple forms of support. Families are dependent on each other for multiple forms of support.
Functional definitions of families are more inclusive Functional definitions of families are more inclusive
Families physically care for members Families physically care for members
Families control members Families control members
Families preserve a state of equilibrium Families preserve a state of equilibrium
Families provide support Families provide support
You cannot group all families under one sociological definition You cannot group all families under one sociological definition
Families of orientation vs families of procreation Families of orientation vs families of procreation
Micro, Macro, and meso definitions Micro, Macro, and meso definitions
The family unit is constantly evolving The family unit is constantly evolving
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What is the sociological definition of a family?
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Families are defined by what they do

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Families control members

Families are responsible for keeping each other in check by punishing bad behaviour and reinforcing good behaviour.
Shulamith Firestone
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The Argument

As is often noted by behaviourist psychologists, families have a profound power over the behaviour and development of children. D. Russell Crane notes that parents are "empowered with the responsibility, authority and duty to teach children positive and prosocial behaviour."[1] In adulthood, often the distinction between a group of close friends and a 'found family' is that the latter has some control over aspects of one's life, giving advice which is informed by a long-standing understanding. While close friends can offer support and empathy, only a family member can have a meaningful level of control over the decisions someone makes.

Counter arguments

The extent to which a family exerts authority over its members is dependent on the type of family. Some research has suggested that single-parent and stepfamilies have more equalitarian parent-child authority roles,[2] meaning they control the children less, but these families should not be excluded from the definition of family. Moreover, some people are very resistant to direct control from others but still have mutual support with family members. Therefore, family should be about support rather than control.

Proponents

Premises

Rejecting the premises

References

  1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1467-6427.1995.tb00015.x
  2. https://www.acrwebsite.org/volumes/8284/volumes/v26/NA-26
This page was last edited on Sunday, 15 Nov 2020 at 21:19 UTC

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