# Families and Relationships
In this lesson, we examine society’s most fundamental social group—the family. Yet what makes a family is subject to debate. Sociology doesn’t define a family by who its members are but by what they do, how they relate to one another, and their relationship to the larger society. You will probably see some of your own family’s story in these discussions. We’ll look at the dynamic diversity of family forms in the contemporary United States, the functions of the family for society, the hierarchies of inequality that shape family life, the work that gets done by and in families, the kinds of troubles families experience, and the political and cultural controversies that affect families. You will learn that when it comes to family life, change is the only constant.
## Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
* Describe society's current understanding of family and recognize change in marriage and family patterns.
* Discuss the social impact of changing family structures.
* Analyze health benefits associated with marriage.
## Deadlines
```{admonition} Be sure to hand these in before the deadline
* [InQuizitive Chapter Set 12]() (Thursday at 9:30am)
* [Marriage case](https://sakai.unc.edu/x/hBGLDW) (Sunday at 10:00pm)
* [Families on TV](https://soci101.org/applications/families.html) Application
* Film reflection (Sunday at 10:00pm)
```
## Read
* '[Families and Relationships](https://ncia.wwnorton.com/87056/)', Chapter 12 in Real World
## Watch
* [Class Lecture](https://uncch.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=d0f4f03c-5fd8-4722-8617-ad1000fa3f97) [Slides](https://www.dropbox.com/s/eml53e2vm4sqify/13%20Family.pptx?dl=1)
* [Theories About Family & Marriage](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaeiCEro0iU)
* [Stages of Family Life](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWTz3KBCxfg)
## Discuss (Thursday during class):
### Dick Johnson Is Dead
## Questions
```{admonition} If you have any questions at all about what you are supposed to do on this lesson, please remember I am here to help. Reach out any time so I can support your success.
:class: tip
* Post it in the Slack [#questions](https://soci101.slack.com/archives/C0177KHN1ML) channel!
* Signup for [virtual office hours](https://calendly.com/prof-caren/meeting)!
* [Email me](mailto:neal.caren@unc.edu) or your TA.
```
## Lesson Keywords
* marriage
* family
* extended family
* nuclear family
* patriarchal & companionship family types
* family historical trends
* kin
* fictive kin
* Homogamy
* endogamy
* exogamy
* Propinquity
* antimiscegenation
* cohabitation
* instrumental & expressive tasks
* second shift
## The least you need to know
Theoretical perspectives on the family
