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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
Debate Mini Map

What is the sociological definition of a family?
Back to question

Family has different meanings at different times

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The family unit is constantly evolving

Social attitudes to families are constantly shifting. Therefore, any definition is only valid at the time it was written.
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Context

Because a family is a social construct, any definition can only be accurate for that time period. As social attitudes change so too does the sociological definition of a family.

The Argument

No definition of a family can hold weight for eternity. The sociological definition of a family can only be accurate for as long as social attitudes remain fixed. As social attitudes towards marriage, sex, property, and economics change, the sociological definition of a family must also change. [1] In pre-industrial society, most families were a traditional nuclear family with one woman and man bonded through marriage, and their offspring. This social construct no longer applies to many post-industrial societies, forcing sociologists to revisit their definitions of a family.

Counter arguments

Social and political attitudes change, but the core function of a family has remained the same since primitive family units roamed the Pangea supercontinent. Therefore, defining a family by what it does, rather than what it is, is still useful. A functionalist approach to defining a family can, therefore, effectively define a family.

Premises

[P1] Social attitudes towards the family unit are constantly shifting. [P2] Therefore, the sociological definition of a family is only valid at the time it was written.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P3] A functional approach is not dependent on social attitudes.

References

  1. http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/AS4AQA_family_v2_2e.pdf
This page was last edited on Monday, 29 Jun 2020 at 00:44 UTC