Answer to Question 1
In advanced industrial societies, families serve four key functions: (1) Sexual regulation
families are expected to regulate the sexual activity of their members and thus
control reproduction so that it occurs within specific boundaries. At the microlevel,
incest taboos prohibit sexual contact or marriage between certain relatives. Sexual
regulation of family members by the family is supposed to protect the principle
of legitimacythe belief that all children should have a socially and legally recognized
father. (2) Socializationparent s and other relatives are responsible for teaching
children the necessary knowledge and skills to survive. (3) Economic and psychological
supportfamilies are responsible for providing economic and psychological support for
members. In preindustrial societies, families are economic production units in
industrialized societies, the economic security of family is tied to the workplace and to
macrolevel economic systems. (4) Provision of social statusfamilies confer social
status and reputation on their members. These statuses include the ascribed statuses
with which individuals are born, such as race/ethnicity, nationality, social class, and
sometimes religious affiliation. One of the most significant and compelling forms of
social placement is the family's class position and the opportunities resulting from that
position.
Answer to Question 2
c