When asked to describe a family, what is the typical response? In a traditional perspective, a family consists of a father, mother, brother, and sister. However, if a random sample of families was taken today, a large amount of them would not resemble the traditional portrayal of a family. Families can contain single parents, multiple children, extended relatives and several other diverse components. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a family is defined as a group of related people living together. For the family in the television show The Fosters, their household consists of an interracial, lesbian couple Stef Foster and Lena Adams and their biological, adoptive, and foster children. Although they are not all blood-related, they are still considered a family. In a sociological perspective, a "family deals with reproduction and the care and support for children and adults." In The Fosters, Lena becomes pregnant through insemination because she has the desire to have a biological child …show more content…
of her own just as Stef has Brandon as her biological son. Also, they are compelled to care for and support their adoptive twins, Jesus and Mariana, along with two foster siblings, Callie and Jude, that they have taken under their wing. Stef and Lena always make certain to attend to the needs of all of them to ensure they are protected, comfortable, and unconditionally loved. For example, they do not judge each other's backgrounds, such as Callie's history as a juvenile delinquent or Jesus and Mariana's drug-abused mother. However, they must take their parental responsibility and relationship into consideration because their family's well-being depends on their actions and ability to communicate and support each other. Throughout time, love and commitment were not related in pre-industrial families.
For example, the institutional marriage requirements "revolved around things like food production, shelter, and protection from violence." Following this was the companionate era which was "centered around intimate needs such as to love, be loved and to experience a fulfilling sex life." Since then, we have adapted to an era of the self-expressive marriage in which "Americans now look to marriage increasingly for self-discovery, self-esteem, and personal growth." In today's society, love is seen as a requirement for marriage. "DNA doesn't make a family. Love does." This is one of the most inspirational quotes from the show because growing up in a nontraditional family is not the easiest, considering the world we live in. When Stef realizes she is no longer in love with her ex-husband Mike, she discovers her true feelings and finds what she is looking for in life which is a relationship with
Lena. Families are constantly having to adapt to the ever-changing world. One of the advantages for current families and individuals is that they "have more life choices than in the past." In addition, the role of children has transformed from pre-industrial children contributing to the family as laborers and producers to economic dependents who play more than they work. This leads into the change of the function of the family from a public sphere to a private sphere where families have some degree of authority without being intervened by society or government. Compared to standards for families in the past, modern families, like that in The Fosters, have the benefits and freedom to express their love and choices, whether they are gay or lesbian, interracial, or single-parents.
What is a family? People you’re related to? People you live with? According to Webster.com, it is a combination of those things. However, this definition could vary depending on who you ask. The meaning of family has changed over the years. Divorce and remarriage, single families, same-sex marriage, new family roles, and technology are just a few factors that have changed the way we interpret and define of family.
The sociological definition of the family is “a set of people related by blood, marriage or some other agreed-upon relationship, or adoption, who share the primary responsibility for reproduction and caring for members of society” (Schaeffer, 2009, p. 288). While the nuclear family (a man, a woman, and their children) was once the primary definition of family, now it refers to many familial configurations. Single-parent families, blended families, same-sex couples, traditional nuclear families and single-parents who have adopted are just a few of the configurations that society in general now views as a family. A healthy family will provide a place of unconditional love, acceptance and support.
The unit of a family is the most prominent essential for all of us. As social human beings, we seek social support in order to thrive, and that is where family comes into play. A family is where you receive love, support, encouragement, and many other social benefits. The total number of households in the United States increased from 63 million in 1970 to 113 million in 2008 (Weeks, 2012). The family has influenced multitudes of people in many ways. The traditional family in the United States consists two-married individuals providing care and stability for their biological offspring also know as the nuclear family. However, the term of a true family has ultimately changed over the last 50 years especially for African Americans.
The intent of this essay is to explain the role the family plays in an ever-changing society from a sociological perspective. To determine how, and if, the family contributes to society, to examine any change in the personal roles of individuals within the household, and also to assess how this social institution has evolved to reflect the modern ideals, and realities of today's society. One sociological theory is Functionalism. ' Organic analogy' is often used by functionalists to illustrate that each institution that creates society such as, family, military, education, religion, government, laws, etc … work together as a whole, as organs work together in the body. This organic analogy, in reference to functionalism, assumes that if one organ fails, all other organs would be impacted, causing a change in the body as a whole.
A family might include anyone related by blood or by adoption such as: step parents, grandparents acting as parents, and even brothers and sisters sharing the same household. However, worldwide “the family is regarded as the most ba...
1. What constitutes a family? - A family is defined as a small group of individuals that are usually related. Their key focus is to provide emotional and physical support to their child. They are recognized as a household of a father, mother, and child also known as nuclear family.
Family, a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household. Although family is a concretely defined term, the idea of family varies from person to person. But, what makes a family? For those who are surrounded by loving blood relatives, for those who have never known the one to grant them life, for those who have left their blood behind for a more loving and nurturing environment, what can commonly define a family? Family is something defined by the individual. Family includes those who you have come to love, whether platonically or romantically, those you have suffered with, those you have come to respect, and most importantly those you have cared for and in turn have cared for you. To one that could mean people who
There is much research that fully supports the family as a primary agent of socialization and its effect on crime deterrence. Socialization occurs throughout our life, but the most important socialization occurs during childhood. The socialization that we receive during our childhood has a lasting effect on our ability to interact with others in society.
The popular television show Modern Family is unique in the sense that it opposes what people usually see on TV and correctly portrays real and modern families. This TV show does not depict the usually incorrect and outdated gender roles that are quite common on TV in our world today, it depicts real families not within what might consider the “social norms”. This popular TV opposes the regular taboos and gender roles society has implemented and depicts the lives of normal and modern people.
Every person has a different outlook of what family means. Family is not just being related to each other and living in the same house. I believe its way more than that. Family means being there for one another, loving each other no matter what, making memories that you will always remember, and supporting each other through every step of life. Without family and th...
Family is very important in all aspects, mostly whenever that we have a problem the first person that we ask for help is a family member. Not only that but older people in the family pass down their experience to the youngest. This is important as it keeps values alive and is good for the future, so all generations know a little about the values and traditions of their family. These family values also helps the youngest of the family to learn how to live their life. This can be seen in many writings, for example “Everyday Use,” “Girl,” and “The Lesson.”
Everyone seems to define family differently, however, the significance of family is the same. For you, family means everything. You can always count on your parents and siblings for help and love. Family is very valuable and important to you and should never be taken for granted. No one can deny that family is the foundation of our generation. A family is where we all start our life journey and helps us grow to be successful throughout our lives.
I grew up in a family full of educated individuals. Most of my family members went to college and had successful careers. I never saw my parents worried about their job. My dad is a teacher at the junior high in my hometown, so he always had a guaranteed paycheck. My mom had multiple jobs during my childhood, and she excelled at every position she was in. Her work ethic inspires me and I admire her determination. The habits of my friends and family only influenced me in a few ways. I have always been an individual that has to learn from their own mistakes. I am often stubborn, and I don’t listen to advice.
There are so many different types of family relationships. Whatever form a family takes; it is an important part of everyone’s life. My family has played an important role in my life. Good family relationships serve as a foundation to interactions with others. Supportive families will help children to thrive. The quality of the family relationship is more important than the size of the family. Making the relationships priority, communication, and providing support for one another is key to developing relationships. Family relationships are what make up our world today; they shape the ways that we see things and the ways that we do things.
The definition of family is “It finds its origin in marriage; it consists of husband, wife, and children born in their wedlock, though other relatives may find their place close to this nuclear group, an the group is united by moral, legal, economic, religious and social rights and obligations” (Ravelli and Webber 283). My family fits perfectly into the definition of what a family is. My family is a nuclear family; I have a mother, father and