The basics – Families and Households

Quiz Answers

What is the definition of a nuclear family? Answer: A nuclear family consists of two parents and their children living together as a single unit.
Name two key characteristics of an extended family. Answer: Includes additional relatives beyond the nuclear family, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and can live together or maintain close connections.
Define a blended family (stepfamily). Answer: A blended family is formed when one or both partners in a relationship have children from previous relationships, including step-siblings and step-parents.
What is a single-parent family? Answer: A single-parent family consists of one parent raising their child or children.
Describe a same-sex family. Answer: A same-sex family consists of a same-sex couple raising children, which can include biological, adopted, or surrogate children.
What distinguishes a cohabiting couple from a married couple? Answer: A cohabiting couple lives together without being married and may or may not have children.
Explain the concept of fictive kin. Answer: Fictive kin refers to non-biological, non-marital relationships that are treated as family, such as godparents or close family friends.
What is a beanpole family? Answer: A beanpole family is characterized by a vertical family structure with few members in each generation, often including multiple generations but with fewer siblings and extended relatives.
How is a household defined in sociology? Answer: A household is defined as a social unit composed of individuals who live together and share living arrangements, irrespective of their familial or kinship ties.
Identify the main types of kinship ties. Answer: The main types of kinship ties are consanguineal kinship (blood relationships), affinal kinship (marital relationships), and fictive kinship.
What is the difference between consanguineal and affinal kinship? Answer: Consanguineal kinship refers to biological or blood relationships, while affinal kinship refers to relationships formed through marriage.
Describe the functions of kinship ties in a family. Answer: The functions of kinship ties include socialisation, support systems, social organisation, and contributing to an individual’s sense of identity.
What is patrilineal descent? Answer: Patrilineal descent is a kinship pattern where inheritance and lineage are traced through the father’s line.
Explain matrilineal descent. Answer: Matrilineal descent is a kinship pattern where inheritance and lineage are traced through the mother’s line.
What is bilateral descent? Answer: Bilateral descent is a kinship pattern where inheritance and lineage are traced through both the mother’s and father’s lines.
How do nuclear families contribute to social stability, according to functionalism? Answer: According to functionalism, nuclear families contribute to social stability by fulfilling essential functions such as socialisation of children, economic support, and emotional security.
What challenges might blended families face? Answer: Blended families may face challenges such as adjusting to new roles, managing relationships between step-siblings and step-parents, and navigating loyalty conflicts.
Why are same-sex families important in highlighting family diversity? – Answer: Same-sex families highlight family diversity by challenging traditional definitions of family and showcasing the variety of family structures that exist in society.
How does the concept of fictive kin show social bonds outside traditional family structures? Answer: Fictive kin relationships demonstrate social bonds outside traditional family structures by highlighting the importance of chosen family and social connections beyond biological or marital ties.
What social trends have led to the rise of beanpole families? Answer: Social trends such as increased life expectancy and smaller family sizes have contributed to the rise of beanpole families, resulting in long, thin family trees with fewer siblings and extended relatives.