Symbolic Interactionism
Conclusion
Many areas of family research reflect symbolic interactionist ideas, often in diffuse and diluted form. For instance, in much of the research on marital satisfaction, marital quality, patterns of dating and mating, and various family-relevant attitudes (e.g., premarital sex, abortion), symbolic interactionist ideas are likely to be implicitly rather than explicitly stated and tested. Although this may hinder the development and refinement of symbolic interactionism, it can also be viewed as an indication of the success of this theoretical perspective—that many of its concepts and ideas have become a part of the common wisdom of family studies. The theory's use in family research across cultural domains also points to the broad applicability of its fundamental premises and constructs.
See also: FAMILY ROLES; FAMILY THEORY; GENDER IDENTITY; RELATIONSHIP THEORIES—SELF-OTHER RELATIONSHIP; ROLE THEORY; SELF-ESTEEM; SOCIALIZATION; TRANSITION TO PARENTHOOD
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VIKTOR GECAS
TERESA TSUSHIMA
Additional topics
Marriage and Family EncyclopediaFamily Theory & Types of FamiliesSymbolic Interactionism - Importance Of Meanings, Situational Definitions, Self-concept Formation, Divisions Within Symbolic Interactionism, Symbolic Interactionism And Family Studies