Sociology

All projects should include:

1. Process paper that includes a discussion of: 

a. The family structure picture in the genogram

b. The three (3) family trends chosen for your family

c. The societal forces (educational, economic….sociological, etc.) that impacted the family

d. See below for details

B. Family Trends

In this essay you will describe and provide a critical analysis of the trends that have occurred in the family. The discussion should be from a sociological perspective and must include reference to course material. The goal is to frame the family in a sociohistorical context by referencing historical events that helped to shape the processes in the family. Discuss at least three (3) of the following most relevant trends that have occurred in the chosen family

1. Gender roles
2. Social class
3. Racial & ethnic composition
4. Marriage, separation, and divorce patterns
5. Dating and cohabitation patterns
6. Family diversity
7. Parenting/childbearing/childrearing
8. Occupations
9. Medical history (health, substance abuse, mental health)

Guiding questions:

• How have things changed through the generations of your family?
• Have there been interracial/intercultural unions or marriages?
• What role has immigration played in your family?
• Is cohabitation part of your story? How so?
• Are members of your family straight-identified? LGBTQ? 
• Are gendered expectations present/taught within your family?
• Are men and women treated differently? In home life? In educational opportunities? In work expectations?
• Who did what in your family (think about chores, roles as parents, division of labor, etc.)?
• Has there been divorce/remarriage in your family?
• Are you part of a stepfamily?
• A single-parent family? 
• What about work? Who has access to work, and what returns do they get from it?
• How do they juggle both work and family life?

C. Social Forces

Using these questions (and anything else you would like to include), determine which categories of social forces have most powerfully shaped your family. Look at your own family from the outside, using a sociological perspective/imagination. Situate your family within the discussions held throughout the semester (including social, cultural, political, religious, educational, historical, and economic contexts).

• How have these forces shaped your family?
• Does your family conform to the trends that have been discussed? How so? How do they differ? Also consider how race, class, gender, and sexuality have affected your family’s formation and trends, and which they are (or are not) following.
• Link your arguments to specific relevant chapters from the book, articles, or from your research.

Paper format

Your answer should be 5 - 7 pages double-spaced, 12-point font 1-inch margin. Include a formal bibliography for this final paper. Be sure to cite authors using APA citations and page numbers as appropriate.

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