Sociology

From the Skolnick and Skolnick reader: Family in transition

• Article 16, “Gay Parenthood and the End of Paternity as We Knew It” (pp.232)
• Article 4, “Decline of the Family: Conservative, Liberal, and Feminist Views” (pp.54)

• Summarize articles 16 and 4 (in that order and it should be one page only)
• Using information from the Miller or Stacey articles assigned for the week write about two characteristics that are unique to same-sex families.
• Using information either from the Steinmetz or the VonDrehle articles (the timeline at the end of the VonDrehle article may provide some good ideas), choose one legal/legislative battle that has been fought regarding same-sex couples/families/parenthood.Describe that particular case.What aspect of family is being contested?What was the outcome?
• (If you would like to use an additional source or two to include more information, that is fine, just please be sure to include the link/citation!)
• Over the course of the semester, we have encountered and discussed a number of “non-traditional” family forms: single parent families, stepfamilies, same-sex families, multi-generational families, cohabitating couples, etc.We have also considered whether the changes families have undergone over the past century pose a threat to the institution of the family or if these changes have made our families stronger (perhaps in a different way).In the article, “Decline of the Family…” in your Skolnick book, Giele answers this question using three, very different, theoretical perspectives that she has labeled the conservative, liberal, and feminist views.
• Using one of the three perspectives from Giele’s article, answer the following questions:
• According to this theoretical perspective, what is the cause for the changes (challenges) facing families?What reactions/responses would address these issues?Explain your answer.

Discussion questions below