Soc 352: The Family

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Soc 352 The Family

• Instructor Emily Walton
• Office 123A Savery Hall
• Office Hours Tues 1030 - 1130
• Wed 1200 - 100
• Course website
• http//staff.washington.edu/waltone/family/

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On a sheet of paper please write

• Name Student
• Reasons for taking the class.
• Interests and obligations outside of class.

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Question

• At the top of your papers, write YES or NO to the
  following question.
• Do you think you will take more than 6 weeks off
  of work if/when you have a baby?

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What is sociology of the family?

• Who belongs in the family?
• What does the family do?
• How does our definition of the family vary
  throughout history, across cultures, and in
  relation to other social conditions?

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Methods How do we study the family?

• Think of the family like an organization.
• Historical methods
• Large-scale surveys (Census, CPS, NSFH)
• Ethnographic systematic observation

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Functionalist Theory

• Anthropologists documented the ways roles,
  relationships, and practices in other societies
  were important and valid.
• Sociologists 1950s Talcott Parsons Robert
  Bales. Observed instrumental and expressive
  leaders.
• Emphasizes stability and cooperation among group
  members.

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Conflict Theory

• Karl Marx conflicting interests of bourgeoisie
  and proletariat.
• Randall Collins Male dominance rests on
  physical force and control of economic resources.
• Focuses on inequality and power relationships.

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Exchange Theory

• Gary Becker
• Focus on costs/benefits of family members
  behaviors.
• Individuals are viewed as rational beings who
  exchange goods and services based on the benefits
  they receive.

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Symbolic Interaction Theory

• George Herbert Mead
• Humans do not react instinctively, but rather
  interpret the actions of others.
• Rules are not set in stone.

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Symbolic Interaction Theory

• George Herbert Mead
• Humans do not react instinctively, but rather
  interpret the actions of others.
• Rules are not set in stone.

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Course Objectives

• Gain a systematic understanding of family as a
  social institution.
• Understand basic theoretical concepts.
• Evaluate and think critically about evidence
  using sociological methods.