The Sociological Definition Of Parents

The Sociological Definition of Parents: Beyond Biology and Blood Ties

Introduction:

We all have a picture in our minds of what a "parent" is. But stepping beyond personal experience and into the realm of sociology reveals a far more nuanced and complex reality. This blog post will delve into the sociological definition of parents, moving beyond simplistic biological definitions to explore the diverse roles and responsibilities encompassed by parenthood. We'll examine various theoretical perspectives, discuss the evolving nature of family structures, and consider the social implications of different parenting models. Get ready to challenge your preconceived notions about what it truly means to be a parent in the eyes of sociology.

Beyond Biology: The Social Construction of Parenthood

The most common understanding of parenthood rests on biological ties – the genetic link between parent and child. However, sociology argues that parenthood is not solely determined by biology; it's a socially constructed role. This means that the meaning and significance attached to parenthood are shaped by cultural norms, social expectations, and historical contexts. What constitutes "parenthood" differs across cultures and time periods. For example, in some societies, extended family members play a significant role in raising children, while in others, the emphasis is heavily placed on the nuclear family unit.

The Role of Socialization

Sociology emphasizes the crucial role parents play in the socialization of children. This process involves teaching children the norms, values, beliefs, and behaviors necessary to function within their society. Parents transmit cultural knowledge, shaping their children's identities and preparing them for adult life. This process isn't always intentional; it’s embedded in everyday interactions, from bedtime stories to dinner table conversations. The effectiveness of socialization, however, can be impacted by various socio-economic factors and parental styles.

Theoretical Perspectives on Parenthood

Several sociological theories offer insightful perspectives on the role of parents.

Functionalism: The Importance of Social Stability

Functionalist theory views the family, and by extension parenthood, as essential for maintaining social order. Parents are seen as fulfilling crucial functions, including providing emotional support, economic stability, and transmitting social values to ensure the smooth functioning of society. This perspective often emphasizes the nuclear family structure as the ideal model.

Conflict Theory: Inequalities and Power Dynamics

Conflict theory, on the other hand, highlights the inequalities embedded within family structures and parental roles. It emphasizes how power dynamics within families, influenced by factors like gender, class, and race, can affect children's experiences and opportunities. This perspective draws attention to the potential for conflict and inequality in parenting practices.

Symbolic Interactionism: The Construction of Meaning

Symbolic interactionism focuses on the micro-level interactions between parents and children. It examines how meaning is created and negotiated through these interactions, shaping the parent-child relationship and the child's sense of self. This theory emphasizes the role of communication, interpretation, and shared understanding in shaping the dynamics of parenthood.

The Evolving Landscape of Parenthood: Beyond the Nuclear Family

Traditional notions of parenthood, often centered around the nuclear family (two biological parents raising children), are rapidly evolving. Modern society witnesses a rise in diverse family structures, including single-parent families, same-sex parent families, adoptive families, and families with blended families. These changes necessitate a broader understanding of parenthood that moves beyond the traditional biological and marital definitions.

The Impact of Social Change

Factors like increased female participation in the workforce, changing social attitudes towards family structures, and advances in reproductive technologies have contributed significantly to this evolution. Understanding the sociological implications of these changes is crucial for creating inclusive and supportive social policies for families of all configurations.

Challenges and Considerations

The sociological definition of parents also necessitates acknowledging the challenges and complexities inherent in parenthood. Issues such as parental stress, child abuse, and the effects of poverty on child development are significant concerns that warrant sociological investigation. Understanding these challenges is vital for designing effective interventions and support systems aimed at promoting healthy child development and well-being.

Conclusion:

The sociological definition of parents extends far beyond a simple biological or legal connection. It encompasses a complex interplay of social roles, responsibilities, and expectations, shaped by cultural norms, societal structures, and individual experiences. By moving beyond simplistic definitions and exploring various theoretical perspectives, we gain a richer understanding of the diverse ways in which individuals assume the role of parent and the significant impact this role has on individuals, families, and society as a whole. The ongoing evolution of family structures and societal values requires continuous reflection and adaptation of our understanding of parenthood.

FAQs:

1. Q: Does sociology recognize only legal parents as parents? A: No, sociological perspectives recognize a wider range of parental figures, including adoptive parents, foster parents, step-parents, and even extended family members who play significant parental roles. The focus is on the social and relational aspects of parenting rather than solely legal status.

2. Q: How does social class affect the sociological definition of parents? A: Social class significantly influences parenting practices and access to resources. Parents from higher socioeconomic backgrounds often have more resources to invest in their children's education and well-being, while those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may face greater challenges.

3. Q: What is the role of gender in the sociological understanding of parenthood? A: Sociological research highlights the often unequal distribution of parental responsibilities based on gender, with mothers traditionally shouldering a greater burden of childcare. However, evolving gender roles are leading to more equitable distribution in some families.

4. Q: How does culture influence the definition of parenthood? A: Cultural norms greatly impact what is considered "good parenting." Practices vary significantly across cultures, ranging from parenting styles to the level of parental involvement in children's lives.

5. Q: How does the sociological perspective on parenthood inform social policy? A: Sociological research on parenthood informs policies related to family support, child welfare, and education by providing insights into the challenges and needs of diverse family structures and highlighting inequalities that need to be addressed.


  the sociological definition of parents: Parenting Matters National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, Board on Children, Youth, and Families, Committee on Supporting the Parents of Young Children, 2016-11-21 Decades of research have demonstrated that the parent-child dyad and the environment of the familyâ€which includes all primary caregiversâ€are at the foundation of children's well- being and healthy development. From birth, children are learning and rely on parents and the other caregivers in their lives to protect and care for them. The impact of parents may never be greater than during the earliest years of life, when a child's brain is rapidly developing and when nearly all of her or his experiences are created and shaped by parents and the family environment. Parents help children build and refine their knowledge and skills, charting a trajectory for their health and well-being during childhood and beyond. The experience of parenting also impacts parents themselves. For instance, parenting can enrich and give focus to parents' lives; generate stress or calm; and create any number of emotions, including feelings of happiness, sadness, fulfillment, and anger. Parenting of young children today takes place in the context of significant ongoing developments. These include: a rapidly growing body of science on early childhood, increases in funding for programs and services for families, changing demographics of the U.S. population, and greater diversity of family structure. Additionally, parenting is increasingly being shaped by technology and increased access to information about parenting. Parenting Matters identifies parenting knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with positive developmental outcomes in children ages 0-8; universal/preventive and targeted strategies used in a variety of settings that have been effective with parents of young children and that support the identified knowledge, attitudes, and practices; and barriers to and facilitators for parents' use of practices that lead to healthy child outcomes as well as their participation in effective programs and services. This report makes recommendations directed at an array of stakeholders, for promoting the wide-scale adoption of effective programs and services for parents and on areas that warrant further research to inform policy and practice. It is meant to serve as a roadmap for the future of parenting policy, research, and practice in the United States.
  the sociological definition of parents: Childhood Socialization Gerald Handel, 2011-12-31 This collection of authoritative studies portrays how the A basic agencies of socialization transform the newborn human organism into a social person capable of interacting with others. Socialization differs from one society to another and within any society from one segment to another. Childhood Socialization samples some of that variation, giving the reader a glimpse of socialization in contexts other than those with which he or she is likely to be familiar. In the years since publication of the first edition of this book in 1988, childhood has become a territory open to broader sociological investigation. In this revised edition, Gerald Handel has selected and gathered new contributions that analyze the agents of socialization, including family, school, and peer group,, and explore the influences of television and gender. The balance of classical studies and more recent work reflecting changes in the family structure renews the centrality of this anthology for courses in the social psychology of children up to adolescence. The book is divided into nine parts: Socialization, Indi-viduation, and the Self; Historical Changes in Attitudes Toward Children; Families as Socialization Agents; Daycare and Nursery School as Socialization Agents; Schools as Socialization Agents; Peer Groups as Socialization Agents; Television and its Influence; Gender Socialization; and Social Stratification and Inequality in Socialization. While socialization continues on into the adolescent and adult years, childhood socialization is primary, essential in creating the human person and in shaping the identity, outlook, skills, and resources of the evolving person. Childhood Socialization is a dynamic volume that will be of continuing interest to students and scholars of family studies, sociology, psychology, and modern culture.
  the sociological definition of parents: Children and Families in the Social Environment James Garbarino, 2017-07-12 The first edition of this volume successfully applied Bronfenbrenner's micro-systems taxonomy to childrearing and family life. Emphasizing how forces in the environment influence children's behavior, Garbarino has staked out an intermediate position between the psychoanalytic and the systems approach to human development. Taking cognizance of new research and of changes in American society, Garbarino has once again carefully analyzed the importance of children's social relationships. For this wholly revised second edition, he has incorporated a greater emphasis on ethnic, cultural, and racial issues.
  the sociological definition of parents: The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood Sharon Hays, 1996-01-01 Working mothers today confront not only conflicting demands on their time and energy but also conflicting ideas about how they are to behave: they must be nurturing and unselfish while engaged in child rearing but competitive and ambitious at work. As more and more women enter the workplace, it would seem reasonable for society to make mothering a simpler and more efficient task. Instead, Sharon Hays points out in this original and provocative book, an ideology of intensive mothering has developed that only exacerbates the tensions working mothers face. Drawing on ideas about mothering since the Middle Ages, on contemporary childrearing manuals, and on in-depth interviews with mothers from a range of social classes, Hays traces the evolution of the ideology of intensive mothering--an ideology that holds the individual mother primarily responsible for child rearing and dictates that the process is to be child-centered, expert-guided, emotionally absorbing, labor-intensive, and financially expensive. Hays argues that these ideas about appropriate mothering stem from a fundamental ambivalence about a system based solely on the competitive pursuit of individual interests. In attempting to deal with our deep uneasiness about self-interest, we have imposed unrealistic and unremunerated obligations and commitments on mothering, making it into an opposing force, a primary field on which this cultural ambivalence is played out.
  the sociological definition of parents: Parenting Stress Kirby Deater-Deckard, 2008-10-01 All parents experience stress as they attempt to meet the challenges of caring for their children. This comprehensive book examines the causes and consequences of parenting distress, drawing on a wide array of findings in current empirical research. Kirby Deater-Deckard explores normal and pathological parenting stress, the influences of parents on their children as well as children on their parents, and the effects of biological and environmental factors. Beginning with an overview of theories of stress and coping, Deater-Deckard goes on to describe how parenting stress is linked with problems in adult and child health (emotional problems, developmental disorders, illness); parental behaviors (warmth, harsh discipline); and factors outside the family (marital quality, work roles, cultural influences). The book concludes with a useful review of coping strategies and interventions that have been demonstrated to alleviate parenting stress.
  the sociological definition of parents: Parental Rights and Responsibilities Stephen Gilmore, 2017-07-05 This volume represents key scholarship on the issue of parental rights and responsibilities, selected from a dense forest of literature. The collection offers an overview of the subject and covers topics such as: underlying rationales of who or what is a parent; legal concepts of ?parent? and their linkage; the legal parent - accommodating complexity; the nature and scope of parental rights; shared parental responsibility; and parental rights and the state.
  the sociological definition of parents: The Social Context of Birth Gurcharan Rai, 2017-09-07 Greatly expanded, revised and updated, with an entirely new chapter on disability, The Social Context of Birth, Second Edition provides an essential understanding of how social issues affect midwives, the birth process and motherhood. Childbirth is much more than a biological event or a set of case notes. No-one has an uneventful pregnancy, and women seek narratives through which they can explain and try to make sense of what has happened to them. This is often neglected in the relentlessly technocratic modern culture of childbirth. Appreciating the social context surrounding an individual enriches the understanding a midwife must have if she is to work successfully alongside a woman and her family throughout a pregnancy and birth in an insightful, intelligent and informed manner. This comprehensive guide provides countless valuable insights for midwives, nurses, obstetricians and health visitors into the many different lives, experiences and expectations of women in their childbearing years, their babies and families in the 21st Century. Written by a team of highly experienced health professionals, it also covers contentious areas of maternity care, such as new reproductive technologies and fetal surveillance.
  the sociological definition of parents: Family Law and Family Values Mavis Maclean, 2005-06-15 Each individual experiences obligations arising from personal relationships. These are often hard to fulfil and give rise to tension between the demands of various relationships,between meeting current or future needs, but also between private norms and the demands of a public set of rules. The international contributors to this volume consider the relationship between family law and family values in the way law is framed, the way we are developing the legal context for new kinds of relationships such as cross-household parenting, same-sex partner relationships, and the obligations of adults to elders, and closes with a plea to rethink family law in terms of the functions we want it to perform. Contributors include Masha Antokolskaia, Benoit Bastard, John Eekelaar, Lisa Glennon, Jacek Kurczewski, Jane Lewis, Carol Smart, Velina Todorova and Jean van Houtte.
  the sociological definition of parents: Cause and Meaning in the Social Sciences Ernest Gellner, 2004-11-23 This volume focuses on key conceptual issues in the social sciences, such as Winch's idea of a social science, structuralism, Malinowski and Evans-Pritchard, and the concept of kinship. In particular it deals with such problems as the relationship of nature and culture, the relevance of concepts drawn from within a given society to its understanding, and the relation of theory to time.
  the sociological definition of parents: The Meritocracy Myth Stephen J. McNamee, 2009-08-16 The Meritocracy Myth challenges the widely held American belief in meritocracyOCothat people get out of the system what they put into it based on individual merit. Fully revised and updated throughout, the second edition includes compelling new case studies, such as the impact of social and cultural capital in the cases of George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and new material on current topics such as the impact of the financial and credit crisis, intergenerational mobility, and the impact of racism and sexism. The Meritocracy Myth examines talent, attitude, work ethic, and character as elements of merit and evaluates the effect of non-merit factors such as social status, race, heritage, and wealth on meritocracy. A compelling book on an often-overlooked topic, first edition was highly regarded and proved a useful examination of this classic American ideal.
  the sociological definition of parents: Handbook of the Sociology of Mental Health Carol S. Aneshensel, Jo C. Phelan, 2006-05-11 This book describes ways in which society shapes the mental health of its members, and shapes the lives of those identified as mentally ill. Experts in the sociology of mental health discuss in depth the interface between society and the inward experiences of its members.
  the sociological definition of parents: Role of teachers and parents in social adjustment of children with learning disabilities Dr. Deepti Gupta, 2023-08-11 The role of teachers and parents is important for children with learning disabilities in their social adjustment. Children with learning disabilities learn social skills in social settings. Good adjustment leads to positive outcomes in one’s life. In contrast, poor adjustment leads to problems in one’s life. It is essential to understand that childhood is a major part of every individual, and children who receive a good atmosphere to learn social skills can better adjust to society, while children who are unable to receive an environment that would encourage social learning and adjustment find it hard to adjust socially.
  the sociological definition of parents: Social Research Methods Kristin Kenneavy, Catherine E. Harnois, Maxine P. Atkinson, Kathleen Odell Korgen, 2022-03-22 Featuring a unique pedagogical framework, Social Research Methods: Sociology in Action provides all the elements required to create an active learning experience for this course. Modeled after the other volumes in SAGE′s Sociology in Action series, this innovative new text combines hands-on work, application, and learning-by-example. It features a diverse group of expert contributing authors who also practice active learning in their own classrooms. Each chapter discusses one aspect of conducting quantitative or qualitative research and pairs that foundational coverage with carefully-developed learning activities and thought-provoking questions that prompt students to practice and apply their new research skills. The comprehensive Activity Guide that accompanies the text will help you carry out and assess the activities that best engage your students, fit the mode of instruction you choose, and meet your course goals. In the spirit of the Sociology in Action theme, the text concludes with two unique chapters on how social researchers interact with their surrounding communities and help bring about social change and social justice. This title is accompanied by a complete teaching and learning package.
  the sociological definition of parents: Handbook of the Sociology of Education in the 21st Century Barbara Schneider, 2018-10-10 This handbook unifies access and opportunity, two key concepts of sociology of education, throughout its 25 chapters. It explores today’s populations rarely noticed, such as undocumented students, first generation college students, and LGBTQs; and emphasizing the intersectionality of gender, race, ethnicity and social class. Sociologists often center their work on the sources and consequences of inequality. This handbook, while reviewing many of these explanations, takes a different approach, concentrating instead on what needs to be accomplished to reduce inequality. A special section is devoted to new methodological work for studying social systems, including network analyses and school and teacher effects. Additionally, the book explores the changing landscape of higher education institutions, their respective populations, and how labor market opportunities are enhanced or impeded by differing postsecondary education pathways. Written by leading sociologists and rising stars in the field, each of the chapters is embedded in theory, but contemporary and futuristic in its implications. This Handbook serves as a blueprint for identifying new work for sociologists of education and other scholars and policymakers trying to understand many of the problems of inequality in education and what is needed to address them.
  the sociological definition of parents: The Social History of the American Family Marilyn J. Coleman, Lawrence H. Ganong, 2014-09-02 The American family has come a long way from the days of the idealized family portrayed in iconic television shows of the 1950s and 1960s. The four volumes of The Social History of the American Family explore the vital role of the family as the fundamental social unit across the span of American history. Experiences of family life shape so much of an individual’s development and identity, yet the patterns of family structure, family life, and family transition vary across time, space, and socioeconomic contexts. Both the definition of who or what counts as family and representations of the “ideal” family have changed over time to reflect changing mores, changing living standards and lifestyles, and increased levels of social heterogeneity. Available in both digital and print formats, this carefully balanced academic work chronicles the social, cultural, economic, and political aspects of American families from the colonial period to the present. Key themes include families and culture (including mass media), families and religion, families and the economy, families and social issues, families and social stratification and conflict, family structures (including marriage and divorce, gender roles, parenting and children, and mixed and non-modal family forms), and family law and policy. Features: Approximately 600 articles, richly illustrated with historical photographs and color photos in the digital edition, provide historical context for students. A collection of primary source documents demonstrate themes across time. The signed articles, with cross references and Further Readings, are accompanied by a Reader’s Guide, Chronology of American Families, Resource Guide, Glossary, and thorough index. The Social History of the American Family is an ideal reference for students and researchers who want to explore political and social debates about the importance of the family and its evolving constructions.
  the sociological definition of parents: Handbook of Child Psychology, Social, Emotional, and Personality Development William Damon, Richard M. Lerner, Nancy Eisenberg, 2006-06-12 Part of the authoritative four-volume reference that spans the entire field of child development and has set the standard against which all other scholarly references are compared. Updated and revised to reflect the new developments in the field, the Handbook of Child Psychology, Sixth Edition contains new chapters on such topics as spirituality, social understanding, and non-verbal communication. Volume 3: Social, Emotional, and Personality Development, edited by Nancy Eisenberg, Arizona State University, covers mechanisms of socialization and personality development, including parent/child relationships, peer relationships, emotional development, gender role acquisition, pro-social and anti-social development, motivation, achievement, social cognition, and moral reasoning, plus a new chapter on adolescent development.
  the sociological definition of parents: Professions and Professionalization: Volume 3, Sociological Studies J. A. Jackson, 1970 An exploration of professions and the characteristics of professionalism.
  the sociological definition of parents: Social Work, Parents and the Child Protection Process Katrin Bain, John Harris, 2024-10-18 Despite the pivotal role played by parents in the child protection process, little attention has been paid to how social workers perceive them. Exploring representations of parents within Children’s Services – at the levels of policy, organisation and frontline practice – the concept of citizenship is used to construct a typology with ten variants of parent-citizenship. The typology reveals the complexities of parental representations and their relationship to the content of policy, organisational environments and dominant societal themes, as it uncovers how social workers represent parents in their day-to-day practice. The book is a resource that can be used by students, practitioners, researchers and parent advocacy organisations to evaluate policy and practice and to contribute to the search for the best possible outcomes for families. Arguing that parental participation in the child protection process is essential, the book increases the visibility of parents and contributes to a much-needed dialogue about working with parents in Children’s Services.
  the sociological definition of parents: Resources in Education , 1984
  the sociological definition of parents: Evolutionary Theory in the Social Sciences William M. Dugger, Howard J. Sherman, 2003
  the sociological definition of parents: Social Work and Social Exclusion Michael Sheppard, 2012-12-28 Social exclusion is a subject of major importance in contemporary social work and has been a core feature of social policy developments in the UK and Europe in the past decade. Michael Sheppard argues that the issue of social exclusion lies at the very heart of social work and he examines the implications of this position for both theory and practice. He goes on to examine a range of key topics in social work including: • Social work values and knowledge • Empowerment • Need • The exercise of authority • Authority and Choice • Evidence-based practice • Reflection and reflective learning • Judgement and decision making • Social work and 'art' • Social work as 'science' He discusses how each of these topics reflect an underlying concern with social exclusion, making it clear that even though the term 'social exclusion' is of recent origin, it provides a framework for understanding the enduring themes of social work. The book offers an original contribution to the understanding and practice of social work and includes a reappraisal of some fundamental aspects of the profession and its practice. In its focus on issues of wide concern it will be essential reading for practitioners and students in social work. It will also be of interest within social policy generally, offering an example of the way in which social exclusion becomes an issue of professional concern in welfare, and the form this takes in practice.
  the sociological definition of parents: Sociology David M. Newman, 2008-01-09 DISCOUNTED BUNDLE SAVES YOUR STUDENTS MONEY!This book is available bundled with Sociology: Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life Readings, Seventh Edition (bundle ISBN: 978-1-4129-6151-6) The Seventh Edition of David NewmanÆs Sociology: Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life invites students to delve into the fascinating world of sociological thought. Encouraging students to think more about how sociology applies to their everyday lives, this edition features updated coverage and fresh examples, including revamped micro-macro connections to help students understand the link between individual lives and the structure of society. New to the Seventh Edition Presents new and updated coverage throughout, including new sections on Muslim-Americans, global warming, and sexual orientationFeatures NewmanÆs signature compelling writing style with slightly briefer chapters and integrated global content in each for a better fit with todayÆs courses Provides a more robust research methods section with innovative discussions of spuriousness in research, reading a research article correctly, and more, plus a new ôDoing Social Researchö feature Offers new examples from the myriad U.S. subcultures to engage students with examples that are relevant to their lives Features new and updated Micro-Macro Connections, including technology and erosion of privacy, the global health divide, and more, to help students make the link between their daily lives and the architecture of society Includes fresh examples and updated statistical information throughout the text, along with new exhibits and impactful visual essays Ancillaries InstructorÆs Resources on CD-Rom are available to qualified instructors. Contact SAGE at info@sagepub.com or 1.800.818.7243 to request a copy.Student study site û COMING SOON - at www.pineforge.com/newman7study Intended AudienceThis core text is designed for students enrolled in Introduction to Sociology and Principles of Sociology courses in departments of sociology.
  the sociological definition of parents: Research Handbook on the Sociology of the Family Norbert F. Schneider, Michaela Kreyenfeld, 2021-06-25 Exploring how family life has radically changed in recent decades, this comprehensive Research Handbook tracks the latest developments and trends in scholarly work on the family. With a particular focus on the European context, it addresses current debates and offers insights into key topics including: the division of housework, family forms and living arrangements, intergenerational relationships, partner choice, divorce and fertility behaviour.
  the sociological definition of parents: Development of Cognition, Affect, and Social Relations W. A. Collins, 2014-03-18 First published in 1982. This thirteenth volume in The Minnesota Symposia on Child Psychology set invites six developmental scholars were to present their work within the programmatic perspective in which it was conceived. The contributors to this volume work within the area of developmental social psychology, encompassing the range of problems surrounding the development of social relations, social cognition, and affective systems. There is variation not only in the domains of interest but in the methods and the ages of the participants in the research within this volume.
  the sociological definition of parents: Social Class and Transnational Human Capital Jürgen Gerhards, Hans Silke, Sören Carlson, 2017-06-26 Due to globalization processes, foreign language skills, knowledge about other countries and intercultural competences have increasingly become important for societies and people’s social positions. Previous research on social inequality, however, has dominantly focused on the reproduction of class structures within the boundaries of a particular nation-state without considering the importance of these specific skills and competences. Within Social Class and Transnational Human Capital authors Gerhards, Hans and Carlson refer to these skills as ‘transnational human capital’ and ask to what extent access to this increasingly sought-after resource depends on social class. Based on Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of class, they investigate this question via both quantitative and qualitative empirical analyses. In doing so the authors focus, among other examples, on the so-called school year abroad, i.e. students spending up to a year abroad while attending school – a practice which is rather popular in Germany, but also quite common in many other countries. Thus, this insightful volume explores how inequalities in the acquisition of transnational human capital and new forms of social distinction are produced within families, depending on their class position and the educational strategies parents pursue when trying to prepare their children for a globalizing world. An enlightening title, this book will appeal to undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as postdoctoral researchers interested in fields such as sociology, social inequality research, globalization studies and educational studies.
  the sociological definition of parents: Handbook of Parenting Marc H. Bornstein, 2005-02-16 Despite the fact that most people become parents and everyone who has ever lived has had parents, parenting remains a mystifying subject about which almost everyone has opinions, but about which few people agree. Striking permutations on the theme of parenting are emerging--single parenthood, blended families, lesbian and gay parents, and teen versus fifties first-time moms and dads. Divided into four volumes, the Handbook of Parenting is concerned with different types of parents, basic characteristics of parenting, forces that shape parenting, problems faced by parents, and the practical sides of parenting. Contributors have worked in different ways toward understanding all of these diverse aspects of parenting and look to the most recent research and thinking in the field to shed light on many topics every parent has wondered about. Because development is too subtle, dynamic, and intricate to admit that parental caregiving alone determines the course and outcome of ontogeny, volume 1 concerns how children influence parenting. Volume 2 relates parenting to its biological roots and sets parenting in its ecological framework. Volume 3 distinguishes among the cast of characters responsible for parenting and is revealing of the psychological make-ups and social interests of those individuals. Volume 4 describes problems of parenting as well as the promotion of positive parenting practices. Written to be read and absorbed in a single sitting, each chapter addresses a different but central topic in parenting, and is rooted in current thinking and theory as well as classic and modern research on that topic. All chapters follow a standard organization including an introduction to the chapter as a whole followed by historical considerations of the topic, a discussion of central issues and theory, a review of classic and modern research, forecasts of future directions for theory and research, and a conclusion. In addition to considering their own convictions and research, the chapter contributors present and broadly interpret all major points of view and central lines of inquiry.
  the sociological definition of parents: The Social Self Robert C. Ziller, 2013-10-22 The Social Self is a multifaceted analysis of the self concept based on the social nature of the self. The emphasis is on self-esteem along with self-centrality, self-complexity, social interest, identification, power, marginality, openness, and majority identification. The book relies on an approach based upon non-verbal measures of the self concept and in which the individual is asked to locate himself in relation to a field of significant others, represented in a variety of geometric arrangements using symbols of the self and others. Comprised of nine chapters, this book begins with a description of some of the basic components of the self system including self-esteem, social interest, and marginality. The discussion moves toward more complex analyses including the alienation syndrome and the political personality involving two or more of the components of the social self. The next section focuses on the development of the self concept and examines such variables as socioeconomic background and the history of geographic mobility of the child. A theory of self-other orientation is also considered, along with a helical theory of personal change. This monograph is intended for students of social psychology, personality, sociology, and education who are interested in the self concept, its measurement, and theoretical considerations.
  the sociological definition of parents: Encyclopedia of Education and Human Development Stephen J. Farenga, 2005 Covers a broad range of topics within the fields of education and human development. Includes the ways in which learners construct knowledge at the different stages of human development, the educational tools used by teachers to teach, and educational politics.
  the sociological definition of parents: A Sociology of Educating Roland Meighan, Clive Harber, 2007-01-25 Intended to stimulate sociologically informed thinking about educating, this book has become firmly established in its field, winning places on reading lists for Education Studies, Initial Teacher Training and Continuing Professional Development courses. The book begins with a light-hearted taste of sociology, and then goes on to explore five key areas of education: the hidden curriculum ideologies of educating sociological perspectives and the study of education educational life chances, and the next learning system. This new edition includes sections on personalized learning, progressive education, and the impact of assessment on pupils. It also comes with a new chapter 'The Discourses of Education'.
  the sociological definition of parents: The Contexts of Social Mobility Anselm L. Strauss,
  the sociological definition of parents: Normative Patterns and Legal Developments in the Social Dimension of the EU Ann Numhauser-Henning, Mia Rönnmar, 2013-06-28 This book explores the normative and legal evolution of the Social Dimension - labour law, social security law and family law - in both the EU and its Member States, during the last decade. It does this from a wide range of theoretical and legal-substantive perspectives. The past decade has witnessed the entering into force of the Lisbon Treaty and its emphasis on fundamental rights, a new coordination regulation within the field of social security (Regulation 883/2004/EC), and the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union in the so-called Laval Quartet. Furthermore structural changes affecting demographics and family have also challenged solidarity in new ways. The book is organised by reference to distinct 'normative patterns' and their development in the fields of law covered, such as the protection of established groups, the position of market functional values and the scope for just distribution. The book represents an innovative and important interdisciplinary approach to analysing EU law and Social Europe, and contributes a complex, yet thought-provoking, picture for the future. The contributors represent an interesting mix of well-known and distinguished as well as upcoming and promising researchers throughout Europe and beyond.
  the sociological definition of parents: Parenting and Work in Poland Katarzyna Suwada, 2021 The open access book provides a critical account of parenthood in Polish society. It uses a qualitative perspective to show how mothers and fathers engage with parenthood and also function in the labour market. Parenting in contemporary Poland is not only affected by individual preferences and choices, but significantly by the institutional context, in particular the family policy system, as well as socio-cultural norms of how men and women should fulfill parental roles. The author distinguishes between different kinds of work done in connection to parenthood and shows how the existing institutional system reinforces gender and other forms of social inequalities even in a post-communist state like Poland. The author demonstrates that Polish society has different expectations and institutional norms related to work and gender norms compared to those in long-standing democracies in Europe and elsewhere. The book also shows that the experiences of parenthood in Poland are different between men and women, between single and coupled parents, and based on economic and other resources. This book is of interest to social science students and researchers of family studies, parenting, sociology of work, and social structure in post-communist societies.
  the sociological definition of parents: Child Abuse and Neglect Alexander Muela Aparicio, 2012-07-11 Child maltreatment constitutes a social problem that affects all societies of the world. A recent study by the World Health Organisation points out that millions of children suffer some form of maltreatment and require medical and social attention. Therefore, child maltreatment is not a new phenomenon; it has been around since the beginning of time. Child maltreatment is recognized as an important psychopathological risk factor and is associated with poor psychological function in childhood and adolescence and adulthood. The aim of this book is to address the issue of child abuse and neglect from a multidimensional perspective. The reader will find a selection of internationally recognized works addressing the issue of child maltreatment both from theoretical and applied view.
  the sociological definition of parents: The Routledge Handbook of Child and Family Social Work Research Elizabeth Fernandez, Penelope Welbourne, Bethany Lee, Joyce L. C. Ma, 2024-09-30 This Handbook provides an accessible resource for all social work students, educators, practitioners, and policymakers to increase their knowledge and understanding of how research into the diversity and impact of child and family social work interventions might underpin and drive policy and practice. Divided into six sections The Context of Child and Family Social Work Research Preventive and Reparative Responses to Children and Families Child Maltreatment: Causes, Consequences, and Responses Alternate Care as an Approach to Safeguarding Children and Young People Intervention: Therapeutic Responses to Vulnerable Children, Youth, and Families Child and Family Social Work in the Global Context and comprising 52 newly written chapters by experts in the field, it provides a foundational overview of the field of child and family social work, including defining concepts, sentinel historical milestones, and the scope of practice. It also identifies developments in auxiliary fields such as neuroscience, psychology, education, health, poverty, and media By illustrating diverse research endeavours in parenting, maltreatment, prevention, child protection, and substitutive interventions including foster care, residential care, adoption, and juvenile corrections and elaborating child welfare research methods, measures, and impacts on practice, it analyses evidence-based interventions and policies in early intervention, child protection, child placement, adoption, and advocacy. It will be required reading for anyone working in social work and child protection.
  the sociological definition of parents: Introduction to Sociology 2e Nathan J. Keirns, Heather Griffiths, Eric Strayer, Susan Cody-Rydzewski, Gail Scaramuzzo, Sally Vyain, Tommy Sadler, Jeff D. Bry, Faye Jones, 2015-03-17 This text is intended for a one-semester introductory course.--Page 1.
  the sociological definition of parents: Encyclopedia of Contemporary American Social Issues [4 volumes] Michael Shally-Jensen, 2010-12-22 This single-source reference will help students and general readers alike understand the most critical issues facing American society today. Featuring the work of almost 200 expert contributors, the Encyclopedia of Contemporary American Social Issues comprises four volumes, each devoted to a particular subject area. Volume one covers business and the economy; volume two, criminal justice; volume three, family and society; and volume four, the environment, science, and technology. Coverage within these volumes ranges from biotechnology to identity theft, from racial profiling to corporate governance, from school choice to food safety. The work brings into focus a broad array of key issues confronting American society today. Approximately 225 in-depth entries lay out the controversies debated in the media, on campuses, in government, in boardrooms, and in homes and neighborhoods across the United States. Critical issues in criminology, medicine, religion, commerce, education, the environment, media, family life, and science are all carefully described and examined in a scholarly yet accessible way. Sidebars, photos, charts, and graphs throughout augment the entries, making them even more compelling and informative.
  the sociological definition of parents: Social Work Practice with Adults Sally Lee, Louise Oliver, 2023-04-29 An accessible introduction to social work practice with adults written in collaboration with service users, carers and practitioners.
  the sociological definition of parents: The Sanctity of Social Life Diana Crane, 1977-01-01 For years, speculation has been mounting among lawyers, church leaders, social scientists, and the general public over the question of prolongation of life and the critically ill patient's right to die. But what is the physician's attitude toward this controversial subject? Under what conditions does a doctor battle to save the life of the patient, and when does he decide to withdraw medical treatment and allow death to occur? The answers to these questions form the basis of this book, a fascinating examination of the nature of death and dying, as seen from the physician' point of view.
  the sociological definition of parents: Apoyo Sacrificial, Sacrificial Support Stephany Cuevas, 2021 Apoyo Sacrificial, Sacrificial Support explores the experiences of undocumented Latinx parents as they support and guide their children’s pathways to higher education, and how their precarious immigration status impacts this support. In addition to analyzing the various understandings, interactions, and relationships undocumented Latinx parents develop with different education entities, including secondary schools and colleges and universities, the book also examines these in relation to the various social, political, and economic factors that shape parents’ engagement with their children’s education. Cuevas illuminates how the parents in her study engaged in supportive behaviors similar to those of middle and upper classes families despite the barriers they faced, such as low-income households, undocumented legal status, and single parenting. Providing an alternative view of parental engagement and access to higher education, Apoyo Sacrificial, Sacrificial Support will help educators truly meet the needs of marginalized students and communities. Book Features: Illustrates the often unobserved and unappreciated supportive strategies employed by undocumented Latinx parents. Highlights in-depth qualitative interviews that center the voices and perspectives of parents.Shows how an undocumented immigration status is a unique barrier that shapes how families interact with education entities. Illustrates the range of supportive behaviors undocumented Latinx parents engage in to ensure their children’s success, including access to higher education. Demonstrates how the parents of first-generation Latinx students play a critical role in their success, even after they matriculate to college.
  the sociological definition of parents: The Social Psychology of Living Well Joseph P. Forgas, Roy F. Baumeister, 2018-01-29 How to live well and the search for meaning have long been of intense concern to humans, perhaps because Homo sapiens is the only species aware of its own mortality. In the last few decades, empirical psychology made a major contribution to this quest. This book surveys groundbreaking work by leading international researchers, demonstrating that social psychology is the core discipline for understanding well-being and the search for meaning. Basic conceptual and theoretical principles are discussed, drawing on philosophy, evolutionary theory and psychology, followed by a review of the role of purposeful, motivated activity and self-control in achieving life satisfaction. The role of emotional and cognitive processes and the influence of social, interpersonal and cultural factors in promoting a happy and meaningful life are discussed. The book will be of interest to students, practitioners and researchers in the behavioral and social sciences, as well as to laypersons for whom improving the quality of human life and understanding the principles of well-being are of interest.
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