SOCL 1101 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: James Samuel Coleman, Flextime, Hidden Curriculum
24 Apr 2018
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A nuclear family or traditional family is a family consisting of a father and mother and their biological children. Extended family refers to familial networks that extend beyond the nuclear family and may extend beyond the home. There is no real typical family in western society today. Multiple generations can live together; families can consist of step-siblings and half-siblings; there are single-parent families; and individuals and couples can choose not to get married or not to have children. Broadly speaking, the functionalist perspective has focused on the functions of the family in society and for its members. In other words, it looks at how the family, as an institution, helps in maintaining order and stability in society, and the significance of the family for its individual members. According to conflict theorists, the family works toward the continuance of socialinequality within a society by maintaining and reinforcing the status quo.
