Sociology

Sociology Study Guide

Chapter 5: Social Institutions Objectives 1. To define “family” and explain different family patterns. 2. Understand various types of marriage and the patterns of descent. 3. Identify the influence of divorce, marriage, and cohabitation on the traditional American family dynamic. 4. Explain the sociological importance of education institutions, their structure, and inequalities. 5. Explain the sociological importance of religious institutions, and identify their classification systems, and current trends. 6. Explain power and the four types of legitimate power. 7. Explain the sociological importance of heath, illness, and disease and trace the development of medicine. 8. Understand the basic segments of the economy, and the key terms associated with each. 9. Understand how institutions develop and what needs are met by them. Social institutions naturally occur to fill a need in the society. The institutions discussed in this chapter are found in most every society in the world. The way each operates may be different, but these institutions are necessary to meet the needs of the people. 5.1 Family Family refers to the ancient and most basic of social institutions and is still a fundamental part of all societies. A family is a relatively permanent group of individuals who are related by ancestry, marriage, or adoption who also live together and take care of young. When a family is formed through marriage, it legitimizes the offspring of the relationship. This is still a social expectation and can take place through a religious figure who sanctions the marriage through a cultural ritual or a governmental figure who simply records the fact of the marriage. There are two types of families. Most individuals are members of both types during the course of their life. They are: • Family or orientation: The family an individual is born into. This offers most socialization opportunity. • Family of procreation: The family that individuals create by marrying and having children. Patterns There are a variety of family patterns between cultures. There are common dimensions studied and identified as markers of patterns. They are: • Family forms • Courtship and marriage patterns: • Number of marriage partners • Partner preference

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