Home Categories About
argument top image
What is the sociological definition of a family? What is the sociological definition of a family?
Family is the setting for socializing children Family is the setting for socializing children
Family means a shared residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction Family means a shared residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction
Family is dependency Family is dependency
Families are defined by what they do Families are defined by what they do
It depends on the type of family and approach It depends on the type of family and approach
Family has different meanings at different times Family has different meanings at different times
Families can take many forms Families can take many forms
Human infants are born with sensory capabilities, not innate reflexes Human infants are born with sensory capabilities, not innate reflexes
Families share these factors across cultures Families share these factors across cultures
Polyamorous and non-monogamous relationships are widespread Polyamorous and non-monogamous relationships are widespread
A common residence differentiates family from close friends A common residence differentiates family from close friends
The family is responsible for producing new members The family is responsible for producing new members
Families are dependent on each other for multiple forms of support. Families are dependent on each other for multiple forms of support.
Functional definitions of families are more inclusive Functional definitions of families are more inclusive
Families physically care for members Families physically care for members
Families control members Families control members
Families preserve a state of equilibrium Families preserve a state of equilibrium
Families provide support Families provide support
You cannot group all families under one sociological definition You cannot group all families under one sociological definition
Families of orientation vs families of procreation Families of orientation vs families of procreation
Micro, Macro, and meso definitions Micro, Macro, and meso definitions
The family unit is constantly evolving The family unit is constantly evolving
Debate Mini Map

What is the sociological definition of a family?
Back to question

Family means a shared residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction

< (2 of 6) Next position >

Families share these factors across cultures

These three pillars of a family are visible across cultures.
George Peter Murdock
< (1 of 4) Next argument >

Context

George Peter Murdock collected data on family units from 85 societies when crafting his sociological theory of the family. He compared this with existing data on a further 165 societies.

The Argument

By analysing a cross-societal group of family units, Murdock concluded that the shared attributes of all families were a shared residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction. For him, these shared functions defined the family unit. [1] Any erosion of these attributes, for example if economic mobility forced members of the family to move out of the shared residence, would correspond with an erosion of the family ties. This weakening of the family unit would then have profound negative consequences.

Counter arguments

This narrow definition of a family cannot adequately account for families with LGBTQ parents for whom reproduction is not a core function of the family group. Murdock’s definition is also antiquated. The modern family may not share a residence, as economic conditions drive one parent to alternate regions for work. In these cases, economic cooperation may still be common, as one parent often sends remittance payments home to their partner and children, but a shared residence is often not possible.

Proponents

Premises

[P1] In all cultures, families are built around a shared shelter, shared finances, and the act of reproduction. [P2] Therefore, these three criteria make up the sociological definition of the family.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P2] The definition has become antiquated and no longer applies to the modern family.

References

  1. https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1525/aa.1950.52.1.02a00090
This page was last edited on Sunday, 28 Jun 2020 at 23:19 UTC

Explore related arguments