Theories

1. Theories • Multiple major theories in sociology • Not like biology: everyone uses evolution • Lots of sociology theories, some less ambitious • We use theories to • Put logic to facts • Structure our thinking, generate ideas • What to ask? Where to look?

2. Consensus Perspective Projects an image of society as the collective expression of shared norms and values “Functionalism”: Dominated sociology in the mid-20thCentury What are the functions of social organization? Current structure as functional Status quogood; change bad Emile Durkheim

3. Consensus Perspective Family Theory Stability and cooperation in breadwinner-homemaker family Functions of different roles Husband as instrumental Wife as expressive

4. Conflict Perspective Opposition and conflict define a given society, and are necessary for social evolution Focus on change, not stability Inequality and power struggles drive history Capitalism destroys old ways Karl Marx

5. Conflict Perspective From the Communist Manifesto: “Constant revolutionising of production, uninterrupted disturbance of all social conditions, everlasting uncertainty and agitation distinguish the bourgeois epoch from all earlier ones. All fixed, fast-frozen relations, with their train of ancient and venerable prejudices and opinions, are swept away, all new-formed ones become antiquated before they can ossify. All that is solid melts into air, all that is holy is profaned, and man is at last compelled to face with sober senses his real conditions of life, and his relations with his kind. The need of a constantly expanding market for its products chases the bourgeoisie over the entire surface of the globe. It must nestle everywhere, settle everywhere, establish connexions everywhere.” Karl Marx

6. Family theory Benefits of ‘traditional’ model to capitalists / employers Women’s housework allows lower pay for men Male dominance in family recruits men to support capitalism Conflict Perspective

7. Feminism Seeks to understand and ultimately reduce inequality between men and women Gender is socially constructed Roles are not biologically determined Family as central site of gender domination State and market support male power Don’t assume family experience is same for men and women

8. Feminism Recent developments Differences by race, ethnicity and class Not one “story” of men and women Collective strength and resistance in family life Advantages for some women are disadvantages of others E.g., professionals and domestic workers

9. Exchange Theory People are rational actors, relate through trade Men are better at work, women better at home Like functionalism: Status quo assumed ‘rational’ Individuals or groups with different resources, strengths and weaknesses, enter into mutual relationships to maximize their own gains.

10. Exchange Theory Family theory Exchange is basis of interaction But when resources are unequal, so is outcome E.g., men are in better bargaining positions when they are sole earners, so they avoid work they don’t like Housewife, by Stephanie Beliveau

11. People see themselves through the eyes of others, and act out roles based on the their expectations. Behavior is based on interpretation of symbols Shared understanding of social roles Symbolic Interaction Theory

12. Family theory Complex gender roles require constant affirmation Gender identity depends on action and interpretation of family roles Especially when roles are in flux Symbolic Interaction Theory

13. Modernity Perspective Modern society introduced the individual as an actor, which changed personal and institutional relations. Modern is not the same as contemporary First: From Enlightenment to Industrialization Second: Deindustrialization, information age

14. Modernity Perspective Family theory Reflexivity Reflect on choices before acting E.g., a class on the family Expanding choices Identity defined through intimate relationships Paradox: Individuality is not optional Anthony Giddens

15. Modernity Theory FIRST MODERNSECOND MODERN Time Industrialization- 1950s- 1950s BehaviorRule-directed Rule-altering Lifestyle Restricted Mandatory Choices Kinship Acquired Created Ties

16. Modernity Theory FIRST MODERNSECOND MODERN Time Industrialization- 1950s- 1950s BehaviorRule-directed Rule-altering Lifestyle Restricted Mandatory Choices Kinship Acquired Created Ties

17. Demographic Perspective How family and household structures contribute to larger population processes • Especially birth, death and migration = - +

18. Demographic Perspective

19. Life Course Perspective • How changes in individual lives are related to historical events • Focus on life milestones and timing • Birth, education, marriage, childbearing, etc. • Example: • Prof. Cohen is 43 years old • Life Course says: Prof. Cohen’sfirst date movie was Kramer vs. Kramer(1979)

23. Sociological Tools Core facts in context The patterns behind the patterns Correlation and causality E.g., night lights and nearsightedness Information, and bias Accountability: peer review, public funding Transparency: sharing data, replication

24. Sociological Tools Survey: Identical questions asked of many people Ideally, random selection of large samples 500 people can reflect 200 million adults Longitudinal surveys: interview the same people repeatedly over time Understand sequence and timing of events

25. Sociological Tools In-depth interviews: smaller numbers, probing for explanations Observation: follow and observe people in real-life social settings Time-use studies: surveys about how people spend their time Time diary or questionnaire