Family Socialization

Paper Summary:

This paper is a reaction to readings of three textbooks regarding the family and its role in socialization. The family is defined and issues concerning role dominance and transformation of power relationships are addressed. It is concluded that although the patriarchal nuclear family discriminates against women, new models are emerging and one does not yet know what problems will arise with the new models.

From the Paper:

"In their textbook, 'Essentials of Sociology', Giddens, Duneier, and Appelbaum identify the family as one of the most important units for socialization of the individual. The concept of family can be defined in a number of ways, to include the nuclear family (consisting of father, mother, and children/siblings) and the extended family (consisting of the nuclear unit and aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents). Family can also be conceptualized to include procreation concerns (biological relatives) and orientation concerns (relatives having primary influence on personal values). Finally, families can be identified as matriarchal, with the female head being primary and location remaining close to extended family, or patriarchal, with the male head being primary and the nuclear family being a focus."

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