Chapter 1: Introduction to Marriage and Family
Overview of Movie
One True Thing. Dir. Carl Franklin. Perfs. Meryl Streep, Renée Zellweger, William, Hurt. Monarch
Pictures. 1998.
One True Thing explores the effects of a traditional marriage on the husband, wife, and grown child
when the wife/mother has cancer. The grown child, Ellen, is a career woman asked to return home
to care for her ailing mother and her father. Her father, George, takes a very limited role in the
everyday home activities while her mother, Kate, takes on all of the household tasks. Ellen has a
difficult time adjusting to her mother’s hectic schedule, including caring for her relatively absent
father. As Kate’s health deteriorates, resentment grows between Ellen & George, as Ellen cannot
understand why he doesn’t want to participate more in his wife’s last days. Eventually, Kate
commits suicide through an overdose of morphine. Both Ellen & George expect that the other
assisted Kate in this, though neither did. Ellen realizes that her mother and father love each other
in different ways and Ellen eventually forgives her father and reestablishes the bond with her
father.
Essay Question: Discuss the benefits and detriments of having a traditional family style.
Chapter Outline
I. Get the Topic: What Defines a Family and What Are the Historical and Current Trends
in Marriages and Families?
A. Defining Marriage and Family
1. What is Marriage?
a. Types of Marriage
2. What is Family?
B. History of the American Family
1. United States Colonial Period to 1899
2. United States: 1900 to Pre-WWII
3. United States Modern Era (World War II to Present)
C. Current Trends in Families
1. Factors Affecting Current Trends
a. Demographic Factors
b. Lifestyle Factors
2. Is Marriage in Transition or Decline?
3. Functions of the Family
a. Economic Security
b. Social Prestige and Status
c. Education and Socialization
d. Protection
e. Religious Tradition
f. Recreation
g. Affection
4. Diversity in Families
5. Diversity in Race and Ethnicity
a. African American Families
b. Hispanic Families
c. Asian American Families
, d. American Indian Families
II. Think Marriages and Families: How Do Different Theorists View the Family?
A. Theories of the Family
1. Structural-Functional Theory
2. Conflict Theory
3. Feminist Theory
4. Symbolic Interaction Theory
5. Ecological Theory
6. Social Exchange Theory
7. Family Systems Theory
8. Family Life Course/Development Theory
III. Discover Marriages and Families in Action: What is the Meaning of Family?
A. Perspectives of the Family
1. Societal Perspective
2. Small-Group Perspective
3. Individual Perspective
Overview
The definition of marriage in literate societies is legal in nature requiring legal action to
dissolve the union. Marriages vary across cultures based on the number of husbands and wives
allowed. The definition of a family is variable as well, as shown in the changes which occurred
throughout the history of the United States. The changes have primarily focused on the marital
roles and perceived utility of children. Current family trends include the rates of marriage, number
of children, age of marriage, and family composition. Families fulfill many functions, as identified in
the 1930s by William Ogburn. These include economic security, social prestige and status,
education and socialization, protection, religious tradition, recreation, and affection. Families also
vary based on the racial and ethnic composition of the members.
Family theory takes many forms. Structural-functional theory focuses on a macro level
viewpoint. Talcott Parsons, one of the most influential functionalists, identified the two primary
functions families fulfill of procreation and child socialization. Conflict theorists focus on power
differentials in the family and the quest to maintain or gain power within the family system.
Feminist theorists focus on gender roles and their impact on family relations. They emphasize
change and challenges to the status quo. Symbolic interactionists analyze more individual family
systems and the impact families have on the development of family members’ identities as well as
expectations for behavior. Ecological theory focuses on a review of the family as part of, and
participant in the environmental systems of microsystems, mesosystems, exosystems,
macrosystems, and chronosystems. Social exchange theorists review the manner in which rewards
and costs are compared within the family system in order to maintain or dissolve relationships.
Family systems theorists analyze the family as an interconnected and interdependent system with
boundaries, rules of transformation, subsystems, and degrees of variety. Family life
course/development theory looks at the passage of the family through time with expected stages or
career. Finally, biosocial theory focuses on the interaction of genes and the environment on human
behavior.
Chapter Objectives
Demonstrate an understanding of the meaning of family including various types of
marriages.
, Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of family across cultures and throughout
history.
Demonstrate recognition of current family trends.
Demonstrate an understanding of the factors impacting current trends in families.
Demonstrate the ability to identify the functions families fulfill.
Demonstrate an understanding of family diversity based on race and ethnicity.
Demonstrate the ability to recognize the theories of the family.
Demonstrate an understanding of the three theoretical perspectives in terms of the family.
Demonstrate an understanding of the perspectives of the family.
In-Classroom Activities
1. In groups of 5 or 6, come up with a definition of family and then identify which
perspective of the family the definition comes from.
2. Discuss whether marriage is in transition or decline.
3. Using the Go Global box, identify each of the functions families fulfill.
4. Using the From Classroom to Community Diversity box as a beginning point, ask groups
of students to explain how a particular theory would explain homelessness.
Out-of-Classroom Activities
1. Interview three generations on their definition of marriage and family. Compare and
contrast their definitions. For the family definitions, identify which family function
seems to be the focus and which perspective of the family each definition comes from.
2. Using the database in your college or university, access a scholarly journal which
focuses on the family. Find and review one article. Identify which perspective of the
family the article seems to focus on and which theory of the family fits the best with the
nature of the article. Examples include Journal of Family Issues, Journal of Marriage and
the Family, Journal of Family Theory and Review
3. Apply the theories of the family to the family portrayed in your favorite movie.
Discussion Questions
1. What impact would type of marriage have on family definitions?
2. Should household and family be viewed as different terms? Why or why not?
3. How have families changed in the United States?
4. Is marriage in transition or decline?
5. What are the positive and negative effects of the importance of family of origin?
6. What are the functions families fulfill?
7. How does race and ethnicity impact the definition of family?
8. How do the theories differ in their definition of families?
9. What perspective can be used to define families?
Essay Topics
1. Discuss the current trends in marriage and family in the United States.
2. What factors should you keep in mind when reading and interpreting statistics about
racial diversity?
3. Discuss whether the “golden age” of the traditional nuclear family ever really existed.
4. Choose three theories of marriage and family and discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of each.
5. Discuss how definitions of family may vary according to perspective.
, Multiple Choice Questions
1. All the people who occupy a housing unit regardless of relationship is known as
A. A family
B. A household
C. Affiliated kin
D. Polygamy
Answer: B, page 5-6
2. The “good old days” of the family
A. Were in the 1950s and 60s, and were exemplified by TV shows like “The Waltons”
and The Brady Bunch”
B. Are occurring today, as new family forms reflect individuals’ preferences
C. Were in the 19th Century, when families spent most of their time together
D. Never really occurred. The family has always been complex, and constantly
changes.
Answer: D, Page 7
a.
3. In the immediate aftermath of World War II, divorce rates
A. Declined
B. Increased
C. Stayed the same
D. Were eliminated
Answer: B, page 8
4. Which of the following accurately describes work trends in the U.S.?
A. Parents with children are working less than they were in the pate 1960s, due to
labor saving technologies
B. Parents are working more now than in the 1960s, due to women in the labor force
C. Work hours haven’t really changed since the 1960s
D. Data on work hours don’t exist. Therefore, we don’t know
Answer: B, page 9
.
5. What do some social commentators view as evidence of the decline of the family?
A. Increases in teenage birthrates
B. Rising divorce rates
C. The rise in female labor force participation
D. None of the above
Answer: B, page 10
6. Which of the following is NOT a function of the family?
A. Socialization
B. Recreation
C. Affection
D. Job creation
Answer: D, page 11-12
7. Compared to the national average, median family income is highest among
A. Whites
B. African Americans
C. Asians
Overview of Movie
One True Thing. Dir. Carl Franklin. Perfs. Meryl Streep, Renée Zellweger, William, Hurt. Monarch
Pictures. 1998.
One True Thing explores the effects of a traditional marriage on the husband, wife, and grown child
when the wife/mother has cancer. The grown child, Ellen, is a career woman asked to return home
to care for her ailing mother and her father. Her father, George, takes a very limited role in the
everyday home activities while her mother, Kate, takes on all of the household tasks. Ellen has a
difficult time adjusting to her mother’s hectic schedule, including caring for her relatively absent
father. As Kate’s health deteriorates, resentment grows between Ellen & George, as Ellen cannot
understand why he doesn’t want to participate more in his wife’s last days. Eventually, Kate
commits suicide through an overdose of morphine. Both Ellen & George expect that the other
assisted Kate in this, though neither did. Ellen realizes that her mother and father love each other
in different ways and Ellen eventually forgives her father and reestablishes the bond with her
father.
Essay Question: Discuss the benefits and detriments of having a traditional family style.
Chapter Outline
I. Get the Topic: What Defines a Family and What Are the Historical and Current Trends
in Marriages and Families?
A. Defining Marriage and Family
1. What is Marriage?
a. Types of Marriage
2. What is Family?
B. History of the American Family
1. United States Colonial Period to 1899
2. United States: 1900 to Pre-WWII
3. United States Modern Era (World War II to Present)
C. Current Trends in Families
1. Factors Affecting Current Trends
a. Demographic Factors
b. Lifestyle Factors
2. Is Marriage in Transition or Decline?
3. Functions of the Family
a. Economic Security
b. Social Prestige and Status
c. Education and Socialization
d. Protection
e. Religious Tradition
f. Recreation
g. Affection
4. Diversity in Families
5. Diversity in Race and Ethnicity
a. African American Families
b. Hispanic Families
c. Asian American Families
, d. American Indian Families
II. Think Marriages and Families: How Do Different Theorists View the Family?
A. Theories of the Family
1. Structural-Functional Theory
2. Conflict Theory
3. Feminist Theory
4. Symbolic Interaction Theory
5. Ecological Theory
6. Social Exchange Theory
7. Family Systems Theory
8. Family Life Course/Development Theory
III. Discover Marriages and Families in Action: What is the Meaning of Family?
A. Perspectives of the Family
1. Societal Perspective
2. Small-Group Perspective
3. Individual Perspective
Overview
The definition of marriage in literate societies is legal in nature requiring legal action to
dissolve the union. Marriages vary across cultures based on the number of husbands and wives
allowed. The definition of a family is variable as well, as shown in the changes which occurred
throughout the history of the United States. The changes have primarily focused on the marital
roles and perceived utility of children. Current family trends include the rates of marriage, number
of children, age of marriage, and family composition. Families fulfill many functions, as identified in
the 1930s by William Ogburn. These include economic security, social prestige and status,
education and socialization, protection, religious tradition, recreation, and affection. Families also
vary based on the racial and ethnic composition of the members.
Family theory takes many forms. Structural-functional theory focuses on a macro level
viewpoint. Talcott Parsons, one of the most influential functionalists, identified the two primary
functions families fulfill of procreation and child socialization. Conflict theorists focus on power
differentials in the family and the quest to maintain or gain power within the family system.
Feminist theorists focus on gender roles and their impact on family relations. They emphasize
change and challenges to the status quo. Symbolic interactionists analyze more individual family
systems and the impact families have on the development of family members’ identities as well as
expectations for behavior. Ecological theory focuses on a review of the family as part of, and
participant in the environmental systems of microsystems, mesosystems, exosystems,
macrosystems, and chronosystems. Social exchange theorists review the manner in which rewards
and costs are compared within the family system in order to maintain or dissolve relationships.
Family systems theorists analyze the family as an interconnected and interdependent system with
boundaries, rules of transformation, subsystems, and degrees of variety. Family life
course/development theory looks at the passage of the family through time with expected stages or
career. Finally, biosocial theory focuses on the interaction of genes and the environment on human
behavior.
Chapter Objectives
Demonstrate an understanding of the meaning of family including various types of
marriages.
, Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of family across cultures and throughout
history.
Demonstrate recognition of current family trends.
Demonstrate an understanding of the factors impacting current trends in families.
Demonstrate the ability to identify the functions families fulfill.
Demonstrate an understanding of family diversity based on race and ethnicity.
Demonstrate the ability to recognize the theories of the family.
Demonstrate an understanding of the three theoretical perspectives in terms of the family.
Demonstrate an understanding of the perspectives of the family.
In-Classroom Activities
1. In groups of 5 or 6, come up with a definition of family and then identify which
perspective of the family the definition comes from.
2. Discuss whether marriage is in transition or decline.
3. Using the Go Global box, identify each of the functions families fulfill.
4. Using the From Classroom to Community Diversity box as a beginning point, ask groups
of students to explain how a particular theory would explain homelessness.
Out-of-Classroom Activities
1. Interview three generations on their definition of marriage and family. Compare and
contrast their definitions. For the family definitions, identify which family function
seems to be the focus and which perspective of the family each definition comes from.
2. Using the database in your college or university, access a scholarly journal which
focuses on the family. Find and review one article. Identify which perspective of the
family the article seems to focus on and which theory of the family fits the best with the
nature of the article. Examples include Journal of Family Issues, Journal of Marriage and
the Family, Journal of Family Theory and Review
3. Apply the theories of the family to the family portrayed in your favorite movie.
Discussion Questions
1. What impact would type of marriage have on family definitions?
2. Should household and family be viewed as different terms? Why or why not?
3. How have families changed in the United States?
4. Is marriage in transition or decline?
5. What are the positive and negative effects of the importance of family of origin?
6. What are the functions families fulfill?
7. How does race and ethnicity impact the definition of family?
8. How do the theories differ in their definition of families?
9. What perspective can be used to define families?
Essay Topics
1. Discuss the current trends in marriage and family in the United States.
2. What factors should you keep in mind when reading and interpreting statistics about
racial diversity?
3. Discuss whether the “golden age” of the traditional nuclear family ever really existed.
4. Choose three theories of marriage and family and discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of each.
5. Discuss how definitions of family may vary according to perspective.
, Multiple Choice Questions
1. All the people who occupy a housing unit regardless of relationship is known as
A. A family
B. A household
C. Affiliated kin
D. Polygamy
Answer: B, page 5-6
2. The “good old days” of the family
A. Were in the 1950s and 60s, and were exemplified by TV shows like “The Waltons”
and The Brady Bunch”
B. Are occurring today, as new family forms reflect individuals’ preferences
C. Were in the 19th Century, when families spent most of their time together
D. Never really occurred. The family has always been complex, and constantly
changes.
Answer: D, Page 7
a.
3. In the immediate aftermath of World War II, divorce rates
A. Declined
B. Increased
C. Stayed the same
D. Were eliminated
Answer: B, page 8
4. Which of the following accurately describes work trends in the U.S.?
A. Parents with children are working less than they were in the pate 1960s, due to
labor saving technologies
B. Parents are working more now than in the 1960s, due to women in the labor force
C. Work hours haven’t really changed since the 1960s
D. Data on work hours don’t exist. Therefore, we don’t know
Answer: B, page 9
.
5. What do some social commentators view as evidence of the decline of the family?
A. Increases in teenage birthrates
B. Rising divorce rates
C. The rise in female labor force participation
D. None of the above
Answer: B, page 10
6. Which of the following is NOT a function of the family?
A. Socialization
B. Recreation
C. Affection
D. Job creation
Answer: D, page 11-12
7. Compared to the national average, median family income is highest among
A. Whites
B. African Americans
C. Asians
