Theoretical Perspectives on Family Sociology

Question 1:

The “instrumental leader” is the person within a group who leads the discussions about how to accomplish tasks the group had been assigned. This role is commonly associated with the husband, whose labor provides the financial support to the family. The “expressive leader” is the person who keeps the groups moral up. They try to keep the mood light with warm, supportive remarks and jokes. This role is associated with the wife who usually provides emotional support to her family.

Question 2:

The main demographic change during the 60's and 70's led theorists to be critical of the functionalist's perspective was that women were beginning to join the work force in great numbers which changed the dynamics of the family.

Question 3:

Functionalist theory generally expresses how two counter-parts work together. However, conflict theory is more of a struggle for or conservation of power. It focuses on how certain individuals become dominant over other individuals and what circumstances help those who are dominated to reduce or eliminate the disadvantages they face.

Question 4:

Social exchange theory is based on ideas from the discipline of Economics. As long as men are making the money they continue to be more dominant. However, when women earn their own money their dependence on their husbands begin to decrease, which in turn decreases the husband's dominance.

Question 5:

Feminist theory is based upon gender, which distinguishes women and men in a society and the domination of women by men.

Question 6:

1. Are teens who talk to their parents about sex, less likely to succumb to the peer pressure to engage in sexual activity, than those who do not talk to their parents about sex?
2. I would study the family at the macro level.
3. The method I would use to collect data for this study would be by conducting a survey.
4. I would survey a total of 20 high school students…10 male and 10 female.
5. 
   

How do you rate the communication between you and your parents?

Ex: I rarely talk to my parents about peer pressure, or anything for that matter. 6-5-4-3-2-1

I think I have a good relationship with my parents, we talk about everything. 6-5-4-3-2-1

What is your Stance on contraception/birth control and abstinence?

Ex: I use a form of contraception every time I engage in sexual activity.

6-5-4-3-2-1

I choose not to have sex, it’s just not that important to me at this time.

6-5-4-3-2-1

What are your thoughts concerning Peer Pressure

Ex: I am confident enough in my own skin not to be persuaded by anyone else.

6-5-4-3-2-1

Peer pressure can be a difficult thing to overcome nowadays, it isn’t as easy as it seems.

6-5-4-3-2-1