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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?
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Families are defined by what they do

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Functional definitions of families are more inclusive

By defining families by what they do rather than what they are, we can include all the modern variations of a family unit in the sociological definition of a family.
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Context

Limiting families to only those related by blood, those living in a shared accommodation, or those which raise children, are exclusive definitions of family which fail to accommodate all the nuanced family setups of the modern world.

The Argument

But allowing any unit that performs the core functions of a family unit to be classified as a family, the functional definition can be more inclusive. It means foster parents, that may not be legally or biologically related (or may not even be living under the same roof any longer) can still be classified as a family. It means people who did not form bonds with their biological parents or grandparents, but found a new “family” that provided support and shared resources have also entered a new family, as it provides all the functions of a family. It also means that whoever provides care for frail or elderly “family” members, whether they are biologically related, lifelong friends, or close companions, can meet the functional definition for a family.

Counter arguments

Premises

[P1] Modern families take many forms. [P2] Rather than focus on definitions that define what a family 'is', sociologists should focus on what they 'do'. [P3] This is the only way to include the many forms of a family unit in the sociological definition of a family.

Rejecting the premises

References

This page was last edited on Sunday, 28 Jun 2020 at 23:56 UTC

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