What is considered the ideal family? I chose Chapter 13 because it covers topics such as this and with the changes from generation to generation, family is not the only thing affected by change. In today’s society the family structure could come from many variations. Unlike what is portrayed on TV, not all families consist of a dad, mom, and 2.5 children. A family is defined as a primary of people, usually related by ancestry, marriage, or adoption, who form a cooperative economic unity to care for offspring and each other, and who are committed to maintaining the group over time.
· Families are part of a kinship system (a pattern of relationships that define people’s family relationships to one another)
· Structures within a family change with society.
This Picture shows the different types of families that are common today.
The two primary family structures are polygamy and monogamy. Polygamy is men or women being married to multiple spouses at the same time. In some countries this may be acceptable however, in most states within the United States this would be considered illegal. States like Utah it is very much legal and normally practiced within Mormon fundamentalist which accounts for about 2 percent of the state’s population.
This picture shows what a polygamy family would look like.
In today’s rapidly changing society in America there is much diversity within contemporary families. Some of these changes would include smaller family sizes then previous generations, children staying at home longer and returning home after unsuccessful marriages, and people are waiting longer to get married and start a family.
Fact:
· The percentage of households headed by women account for ¼.
· Teen pregnancies are increasing.
· There is a rise in commuter and cross-country marriages.
· Stepchildren exist by 40% of all marriages.
· Since 1960 the rate of divorce has more than doubled.
These statistic leads one to wonder what will the family structure look like in twenty years? How would this affect religion?
Religion
Sociologically, religion is an institutionalized system of symbols, beliefs, values, and practices by which a group of people interprets and responds to what they believe is sacred and to what provides answers to questions of ultimate meaning.
“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.” -Buddha (n.d)
Have you ever asked yourself, “Why was I born?” and/or “What happens after I die?” Religion provides answers to some of life’s meanings. It establishes norms of behavior within a society, establishes values and moral behavior.
In the United States, religion is a dominated characteristic with 42% of the population consider themselves to be born again while 2/3 of the population think religion can solve most of society’s problems.
Types of religions:
· Animism - belief in the existence of individual spirits that inhabit natural objects and phenomena.
· Naturism - worship of nature
· Polytheism – worship of many gods.
· Monotheism – worship of one god.
Why Sociology of Religion is Important? Today, the study of religion in society has taken on a new importance as the clash of religions and cultures leads to violence and stereotyping in the US and the world.
According to an article in USA Today by Cathy Lynn Grossman, 6/23/2008 and data collected from Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life's U.S. Religious Landscape Survey of 35,000 Americans. “This new installment focuses on 60 questions about participants' religious beliefs and social and political views. One of these questions in the survey addressed the beliefs systems and changes within society. The findings showed of those surveyed, “44% want to preserve their religion's traditional beliefs and practices. But most Catholics (67%), Jews (65%), mainline Christians (56%) and Muslims (51%) say their religion should either "adjust to new circumstances" or "adopt modern beliefs and practices."
The changes within families in society you can see that this will affect religion per the findings in the survey if 44% want to preserve their religion which leaves most to adapting to the changes within society. So where do you think family and religion will end up?
Reference Links:
Cathy Lynn Grossman, 6/28/2008 USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-06-23-pew-religions_N.htm?csp=1
This link will take you to an article in USA TODAY that reports the findings of Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life’s U.S, a religious landscape survey of 35,000 Americans. This article shows how change has affected religion.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-06-23-pew-religions_N.htm?csp=1
This link will take you to an article in USA TODAY that reports the findings of Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life’s U.S, a religious landscape survey of 35,000 Americans. This article shows how change has affected religion.
Buddha, (n.d) (Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)http://thinkexist.com/quotes/buddha/ This link will take you to several different quotes by Buddha like the one found in my blog. The great Buddha has cited several inspirational and motivational quotes and sayings, even if you're not a believer of Buddha and his teachings there are many positive messages.
YouTube, July 19, 2007 [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTZEfTL2OMg&feature=related
I used this link to a YOUTUBE video of a little girl saying the Lord's Prayer before bed because it shows that traditions from one generation to the next are being passed down; listen as the mom helps guide her in saying it.
Sociology online course. (2011, Fall). [Video]. Retrieved from University of Idaho Faculty Website. (2011). Overview. Retrieved from www.class.uidaho.edu/gbabcock/
I used information found in my on-line lectures and PowerPoint presentations during this course at the University of Idaho, Fall 2011.
http://www.allpsychologycareers.com/topics/sociology-religion.html#link1
This link will take you to a informational website that discuss the effects of different views on religion and how this can cause a back lash within the different societies and goes in depth of the famous religious sociologist who paved the way for many of the debates today.
This link will take you to a informational website that discuss the effects of different views on religion and how this can cause a back lash within the different societies and goes in depth of the famous religious sociologist who paved the way for many of the debates today.
