Marriage and Family

Chapter 1 Vocabulary Words 1.family change” perspective | See family decline, family change perspectives. |

2. family decline” perspective | Some family scholars and policy makers characterize late-twentieth-century developments in the family as “decline,” while others describe “change.” Those who take the “family decline” perspective view such changes as increases in the age at first marriage, divorce, cohabitation, and nonmarital births and the decline in fertility as disastrous for the family as a major social institution. “Family change” scholars and policy makers consider that the family has varied over time. They argue that the family can adapt to recent changes and continue to play a strong role in society. |

3.binational 4.family | An immigrant family in which some members are citizens or legal residents of the country they migrate to, while others are undocumented—that is, they are not legal residents. |

5.choosing by default | Making semiconscious or unconscious choices when one is not aware of all the possible alternatives or when one pursues the path of least resistance. From this perspective, doing nothing about a problem or issue, or making no choice, is making a choice—the choice to do nothing. |

6.choosing knowledgeably | Making choices and decisions after (1) recognizing as many options or alternatives as possible, (2) recognizing the social pressures that can influence personal choices, (3) considering the consequences of each alternative, and (4) becoming aware of one's own values. |

7.extended family | Family including relatives besides parents and children, such as aunts or uncles. See also nuclear family. |

8. familistic (communal or collective) values | Values that focus on the family group as a whole and on maintaining family identity and cohesiveness. |

9.family | Any sexually expressive or parent, child, or other kin relationship in which people live together with a commitment in an intimate interpersonal...