Definitions Family Chapter
NUCLEAR FAMILY
A family consisting of two parents and their dependent children living together.
EXTENDED FAMILY
A family containing relatives beyond parents and children, such as grandparents, uncles and cousins.
LONE-PARENT FAMILY
A family where one parent lives with and raises the children alone.
RECONSTITUTED FAMILY
A family formed after divorce or separation where one or both partners bring children from previous relationships.
EMPTY-SHELL MARRIAGE
A marriage where the couple remain together legally but have little emotional attachment or intimacy.
SYMMETRICAL FAMILY
A family in which men and women share domestic tasks and decision-making more equally.
JOINT CONJUGAL ROLES
Roles in which husbands and wives share household duties and responsibilities.
SEGREGATED CONJUGAL ROLES
Roles where men and women perform separate household and economic duties.
PATRIARCHY
A social system in which men hold more power and dominance than women.
PRIMARY SOCIALISATION
The process by which children learn norms, values and behaviour from the family.
SECONDARY SOCIALISATION
The learning of norms and values through institutions such as school, media and peer groups.
SOCIAL CONTROL
The ways society regulates people’s behaviour to maintain order and conformity.
SOCIAL STABILITY
A condition in which society functions smoothly with little conflict or disorder.
SOCIAL SOLIDARITY
A sense of unity and shared values among members of society.
STABILISATION OF ADULT PERSONALITIES
The emotional support provided by the family that relieves stress and stabilises adults.
WARM BATH THEORY
Parsons’ idea that the family comforts stressed workers emotionally, similar to a warm bath.
REPRODUCTION
The biological process of producing children to continue society.
CHILD-CENTRED FAMILY
A family where children’s needs and happiness are prioritised.
SERIAL MONOGAMY
The practice of having several marriages or long-term relationships one after another.
COHABITATION
When a couple lives together in a relationship without being legally married.
FAMILY DIVERSITY
The existence of many different family types and structures in society.
SECULARISATION
The decline in the influence of religion in society.
DUAL BURDEN
The situation where women perform paid work while also doing most housework and childcare.
TRIPLE SHIFT
Women carrying out paid work, domestic labour and emotional support work.
EMOTIONAL LABOUR
Managing emotions and relationships within the family for the benefit of others.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Violence or abuse occurring between family or household members.
GENDER ROLE
The behaviours and expectations society associates with males and females.
GENDER SOCIALISATION
The process of teaching boys and girls behaviours considered appropriate for their gender.
SOCIAL MOBILITY
Movement of individuals between social classes.
INDUSTRIALISATION
The shift from agricultural society to factory-based industrial production.
GEOGRAPHICAL MOBILITY
The ability or need to move location for work or opportunities.
NEW RIGHT
A sociological perspective supporting traditional nuclear families and conservative values.
FUNCTIONALISM
A theory viewing society as based on shared values and institutions working together for stability.
MARXISM
A theory arguing society is shaped by class conflict and capitalism.
FEMINISM
A theory focusing on gender inequality and women’s oppression.
POSTMODERNISM
A perspective arguing modern society is diverse and no single family type dominates.