Recognize the link between micro-level and macro-level perspectives on family.
Micro-level sociology is a study that “looks at small-scale interactions between people, such as conversation or group dynamics” (Boundless, 2016). Micro-level sociology focuses on an individual and how their personality, age, sexual preference, culture, racial, ethnic, and gender identity influence their behavior and choices (Sternheimer, 2011). In addition, this study examines the impact of social units and interactions with people on a person’s decisions and behavior. Macro-level sociology is a study that “looks at large-scale social processes, such as social stability and change” (Boundless, 2016). In other words, this study makes observations of the way that …show more content…
In addition, married women started to enter the workforce in increasing amounts. On a macro-level, the birth control pill invention, the post-industrial economy, and no-fault divorce legalization are contributing factors to these changes. Thus, women and men postpone marriage and children because they can engage in safe sex without the fear of pregnancy. Also, women are postponing marriage due to increasing job availability which lessens their obligation to get married as means for provisions. The following increase in age at first time marriage portray this change “In 2011, the median age at first marriage was 26.5 for women and 28.7 for men, as compared with 20.8 for women and 23.5 for men in 1970” (Lamanna, et al., 2015, p. 8). Also, divorce rates increase because married couples can claim irreconcilable differences for a divorce. As marriage becomes less common, cohabitation increases as an alternative to marriage. Cohabitating households have increased “tenfold by 1970” and by 40% since 2000 (Lamanna, et al., 2015, p. 8). As cohabitating households increase, out of wedlock children become common. In 2012, 40% of unwed mothers gave birth and “between one-quarter and one-half of nonmarital births today occur to cohabitating couples” (Lamanna, et al., 2015, p.
Micro-level sociology is a study that “looks at small-scale interactions between people, such as conversation or group dynamics” (Boundless, 2016). Micro-level sociology focuses on an individual and how their personality, age, sexual preference, culture, racial, ethnic, and gender identity influence their behavior and choices (Sternheimer, 2011). In addition, this study examines the impact of social units and interactions with people on a person’s decisions and behavior. Macro-level sociology is a study that “looks at large-scale social processes, such as social stability and change” (Boundless, 2016). In other words, this study makes observations of the way that …show more content…
In addition, married women started to enter the workforce in increasing amounts. On a macro-level, the birth control pill invention, the post-industrial economy, and no-fault divorce legalization are contributing factors to these changes. Thus, women and men postpone marriage and children because they can engage in safe sex without the fear of pregnancy. Also, women are postponing marriage due to increasing job availability which lessens their obligation to get married as means for provisions. The following increase in age at first time marriage portray this change “In 2011, the median age at first marriage was 26.5 for women and 28.7 for men, as compared with 20.8 for women and 23.5 for men in 1970” (Lamanna, et al., 2015, p. 8). Also, divorce rates increase because married couples can claim irreconcilable differences for a divorce. As marriage becomes less common, cohabitation increases as an alternative to marriage. Cohabitating households have increased “tenfold by 1970” and by 40% since 2000 (Lamanna, et al., 2015, p. 8). As cohabitating households increase, out of wedlock children become common. In 2012, 40% of unwed mothers gave birth and “between one-quarter and one-half of nonmarital births today occur to cohabitating couples” (Lamanna, et al., 2015, p.