Family Configurations

1
Family Configurations

• Nuclear traditional husband, wife children
• Conjugal of relation
• Consanguine of blood
• Extended
• Patriarchal
• Matriarchal

2
Functions of the Family

• Socialization
• Economic cooperation
• Reproduction
• Sexual Relations
• Source Murdock Social Structure

3
Characteristics of Family Life

• 1. A family begins with a ritual between a woman
  and a man, a ceremony that we call marriage, and
  which implies long duration, if not permanence,
  for the relationship.
• 2. The partners have duties and rights of
  parenthood that are also socially recognized and
  defined.
• 3. Husband, wife and children live in a common
  place.
• 4. There are reciprocal economic obligations
  between husband and wifethat is, they both work
  for the family, even though the amount and kind
  of labor or production may be far from equal.
• 5. The family also serves as a means of sexual
  satisfaction for the partners though not
  necessarily as an exclusive one.
• Source Carl Degler At Odds

4
Marital Cycle

• Date
• Mate Selection
• Ritual
• Adjustment Period
• Childbearing
• Childrearing
• Family Growth
• Empty Nest
• Retirement
• Widowhood

5
Issues Facing Families Today

• Divorce
• Blended Families
• Dual Earner Families
• Love and Sex
• ??