Studies of the Family

1
Studies of the Family

• Perspectives of Family Studies
• History of Family Studies
• Origins of Family Sociology
• Conceptual Frameworks in Family Sociology
• Data Sources for Family Studies

2
Microcosmic Study

• Uses family as representative of the social
  order. The national, or cultural, character of
  the norm is used as standard for macrocosmic
  change.
• This analysis misses the economic, demographic
  and class pressures on the family unit.

3
Macrocosmic Study

• This approach looks at the family as a slice of
  the larger pie of social structure. This
  perspective takes into account those larger
  pressures on the institution.
• However, this approach treats the family as
  flotsam and jetsam upon the sea being buffeted
  about by waves without the ability to determine
  its own course of action.

4
History of Family Studies

• Monarchies, Royalty, and Genealogical
• Thomas Paine unnatural and natural families
• deTocqueville, 1831 Influence of Democracy on
  the Family
• EL Godkin, 1868 The Failure of the Family
• Jane Addams, 1910 Twenty Years at Hull House

5
Sociological Development of Family Studies

• Ernest W. Burgess and The Family and
  Sociological Research, Social Forces, Vol. 26,
  No. 1 (Oct., 1947) pp1-6.
• Burgess is pretty much the founder of family
  studies. His prolific research begins in the late
  1930s and spans several decades. His focus on
  social change within and without of the family
  serves as a model for family studies today.

6
Burgess and the family

• In 1947, Burgess argued that we knew very little
  about the family even tough all of us were
  immersed in that institution.
• Argued to develop family studies that examined
  social class and occupation groups.
• Desired for the growth of descriptive
  investigation of the family that would discover
  the various interpersonal interactions within
  the family.

7
Burgess and Past Family Studies

• Propinquity in residence
• Occupation
• Social grouping
• Love
• Ideal mates
• Emotional fulfillment
• Homogeneity in mate choice

8
Burgess and future of Family Studies

• He argued that the study of interaction within
  the family should begin with the relations of
  husband and wife from the moment of their first
  acquaintance.
• Areas for this study should include authority,
  status, cultural transmission and demonstration
  of affection.
• Using past models, examine groups in other
  regions of country, different racial and ethnic
  groups or social classes.
• Criteria of marital success needs to be
  reexamined.
• Pursue further the areas of crisis, conflict and
  accommodation in marriage and family life.
• Conflict and consensus between parents and
  children.
• Sex

9
Potential Data for Family Studies

• Census Data
• Letters and Diaries
• Community Histories
• Biographies
• Probate Records
• Cemetery Records