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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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It depends on the type of family and approach

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You cannot group all families under one sociological definition

Families appear in many guises and forms. No single sociological definition can effectively include all families, while excluding close friendship groups.
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Context

There are many sociological constructs for a family. Therefore, it is impossible to group all units together under one definition.

The Argument

Low-income families function differently to high-income families. A “traditional” family with one parent of each gender has different characteristics to single-sex families, adoptive families, foster families, and estranged families. Families without children but with older dependents function differently to families with young children, which function differently to families with older children. It is not possible to pin down one single sociological definition for the diversity of “family” units. [1]

Counter arguments

A cross-cultural approach with a wide enough sample can, and has, defined the family unit. Families across the world share certain traits. They live under a shared roof. They have some level of economic dependency and integration, and the reproduce in some capacity (either biologically or through adoption/fostering). These criteria are applicable to family units across the world, whatever guise or form they take.

Premises

[P1] There are too many variables and forms to accurately define the notion of a family under one sociological definition.

Rejecting the premises

[P1] With a wide enough sample, a pattern emerges which allows for the deduction of a sociological definition of a family.

References

  1. https://www.purdue.edu/hhs/hdfs/fii/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/s_wifis01c02.pdf
This page was last edited on Monday, 29 Jun 2020 at 00:27 UTC

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