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| In
the literature about "family," seven biases can be identified. It
is useful to keep in mind the idea that sociology is about "what is" rather
than "what should be." |
.
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The ageist bias is that the literature
focuses mainly on adults, and often sees seniors and babies as passive
rather than as active participants in family social dynamics.
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The conservative bias is one in the literature
which supports socially conservative policies, as represented by the religious
right wing. There is little tolerance for variations from norms described
and supported by conservatives.
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The heterosexual bias is one that implies
that a family is based on marriage between one man and one woman; and that
other arrangements are deviations (gay, lesbian, single, commune, bisexual).
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The microstructural bias is a focus on
internal family social interaction without considering the broad social
forces which also affect family structure and dynamics.
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The monolithic bias sees the concept of
a standard, orthodox or traditional family as a measure against which all
variations are seen as temporary deviations. That orthodox family
may be the nuclear conjugal family or the extended family.
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The racist bias sees families as normal
when in the dominant ethnic majority of society, usually white, Anglo Saxon,
and that variations of ethnic minorities are seen as aberrations or deviations
from the norm.
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The sexist bias has two aspects to it;
seeing feminine roles as concentrating on household chores, and masculine
roles as making major decisions for the family.
|
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| Remember
that the word "family" itself is not culturally universal, and that kinship
principles may be arranged in various ways in various cultures and societies.
The word "family" derives from Latin, meaning domestic slaves and servants.
Akan society, for example, has no word meaning
"family" and the kin system is based on matriliny. It has single
words for household residents and matrilineage or matriclan, which we do
not have. |
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