Case Study On Marriage And The Family

Objective – Explain basic sociological concepts of the family, marriage, and intimate relationships. (Pg. 365)

The family shows both continuity and changes which can be seen by looking at nuclear families and single parent families respectively. Before 1940s, marriage was considered an important part of society and thought to be a social institution essential for order. Divorce and single parent families were considered dreadful, sex outside marriage was not acceptable, it was a moral offense. The tempo of divorces was very low, but this social behavior soon ended in the post war era. By 1960s, this was no longer the case, as women started to work. They became much more independent, laws were changed and increase in divorces and cohabitation rates had shown that marriage was not compulsory in one’s life.

Marriage and family can impact economics and community because people who are married tend to be better off than single and cohabiting parents (Kaye, Lerman, (n.d.)).

For example, Kingsolver defends the notion that families of nontraditional arrangements do not need to be examined, ridiculed or treated differently with pity or tolerance as traditionally married families when she says, “Arguing about whether nontraditional families deserve pity or tolerance is a little like the medieval debate about left-handedness as a mark of the devil” (Kingsolver 16). By this statement, the author clearly expresses her belief that nontraditional families are just as successful in their roles as traditional or married families, though evidence gathered has rejected Kingsolver’s argument. In an article by Naomi Gerstel and Natalia Sarkisian, the authors present the benefits of marriage as opposed to divorced or single parenthood families. Naomi Gerstel writes that, “advocates [of marriage] such as David Popenoe and Linda Waite assert that marriage is good for one’s pocketbook, health, happiness, sex life, and kids. Both men and women who are married tend to have higher incomes, more wealth, better health, and more property than those who are not.” The article goes on to describe the negative impacts of divorce and nontraditional families by introducing National Census statistics of relationships between married parents and their children compared with

One of the strengths of Functional-structural perspective is positive about society. The theorists believe that the family

‘The family performs important tasks that contribute to society’s basic needs and helps perpetuate social order.’ (Anthony Giddens 2006 - Page 238) Functionalists believe a family’s paramount purpose is to raise and support their children within society.

What important changes in family patterns do you see today? Today I see family patterns change in many perspectives ways. Families are more independent. They form their own opinions in their decision making. Do you see positive changes, negative changes, or both? I would have to say that I see both positive and negative changes in families. The positive that I see is that many husbands are more involved with their children and even some are now stay home dads taking care of the children while women go to work, the negative that I see is that there are many people filing for divorce and children being raised by single parents. What do they mean for families, in your opinion? My opinion is that most people are

In her book Marriage a History Stephanie Coontz explains the male breadwinner family model and its dominance in family life during the 40’s, 50’s, and early 60’s. An illustration of the male breadwinner model is composed of a father, mother, and two children; typically a boy and girl close in age. Funded by their father’s well paying middle class salary, the wife and children live a comfortable life in suburbia and participate regularly in consumer trends. Perceived as the head of the household, the father was the sole financial provider. On the other hand the mother was the head of domestic life and was responsible for the children. The popular 1950’s TV show The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet exemplified this family model. With regard to the male breadwinner family model, imagine having eight other brothers and sisters. Imagine growing up without a mother, and with a father who worked constantly. Then consider living this life alongside your peers who come from the “normal” male breadwinner families Coontz describes… How would your family differ from your peers? What would be your thoughts and feelings towards family life? More importantly, how would these unique circumstances change your perception of the nuclear family?

Another concept views the Family as a Component of Society, this structural-functional theory addresses the family on a broader scale in terms of their contributions, needs and successes like other social systems (eg., educational and healthcare system (p.90, 2003).

The purpose of this paper is to examine the field of marriage and family counseling beginning with the history and development of the profession and its importance in the field of counseling. This paper will also evaluate five major themes relevant to Marriage and Family Therapy which include: roles of Marriage and Family Therapists; licensure requirements and examinations; methods of supervision; client advocacy; multiculturalism and diversity. The author will discuss significant aspects to the field of Marriage and Family Therapy such as MFT identity, function, and ethics of the profession. This paper will assess biblical values in relation to Marriage and Family Therapists and to the field

Most people argue that the family is in ‘crisis’. They point to the rapidly increasing divorce rate, cohabitation, illegitimacy and number of single parent families.

This is a guide for reading, studying, mediating, applying, and praying God’s inspired word into your life.

This course presents a sociological approach to a major contemporary issue - the changing role and structure of institution of the family and marriage.

Throughout this course I have learned about sociology and certain sub-categories. Some of these include social institutions, social hierarchy, and socialization, these are relevant to an educational socialization. But, the sociology that I am going to focus on is related to family. Status, role and reference groups are classified in the sociological studies of family. For reasons that I am focusing on family, is that family is extremely important to me and the bonds that we had is unlike most families. It is a bond that has been broken and I am slowly trying to mend it back together.

Caroline did not take care of herself. She has a home visitor that helps her, and the home visitor said that Caroline doesn't wear deoderant, she doesn't take showers, and she's a heavy smoker. Caroline also had trouble with reading and writing. Caroline had a lot of trouble with her ex husband because he touched their daughter they had together. The courts threatened to take Amber, the daughter, away from her becuase they were unaware that the father was the one doing this. Caroline's daughter, Amber, also was diagnosed with "a language-based learning disability." Social Security offered Amber certain amount of money for her disability, and Caroline used it for mortgage payments. Amber also was forced to stay home by herself whenever Caroline worked night shifts. Amber told her teacher how scary it was, and the teacher threatened to report Caroline. Overall, these three women had a hard time when it came to spending and making money.