- Theoretical Perspectives and Applications in Family Studies -

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This study presents an appraisal of current theorizing process through the review of family studies. Also it shows the outlines of five sociological general theories and how to apply them to family studies. The field of family studies entered a new stage in the middle of the twentieth century. Especially the decade of the 1970s was a period of rapid development in family theories because middle-range theories were developed. Currently identified major conceptual frameworks of family studies are five sociological general theories. Exchange theory was utilized in several studies and the problems could have been conceptualized in a way that would have tested the general theory of rewards, costs, and profits, but in most instances the theory was developed at a limited substantive level. Symbolic interactionism is the most useful in understanding precarious human relationships, such as courtship processes, intergenerational relationships family roles, and powers. General systems theory have been provided generalizaitons useful for understanding the characteristics of the family systems and also useful in describing the interactions with the environment, and the functioning of a family along a continuum of open to closed. Conflict theorists point that the basic units of society comprise all persons who share a sense of status equality and there are continual struggles in society for various goods. This theory attemps to account for the development within the family of norms of equity, or fairness. Phenomenology becomes available when we cease to treat an object as real, and begin to treat the object as meant, as intended, as it appears. Therefore the formulation of an adequate and complete description of family is important. Family theorists must be urged to do a number of things including continuing to improve existing theory and continuing to develop metatheory and methodologies of building theory.