Sociology
Topic: Discuss some of the following questions: Coontz, “Historical Perspectives on Family Diversity” p42-1.
Paper details:
This will be a discussion board post.
1. Describe the six changes that. according to Coontz, have occurred in family organization, resulting in the
“modernization” of the family. How have these changes influenced family diversity in terms of social class.
race, gender. and ethnicity?
2. What changes do you currently see taking place with regard to family forms and functions? What factors
account for these contemporary changes? How do these changes influence family diversity in terms of social
class, race, gender, ethnicity. marital status. sexual orientation, etc.?
Hill, “The Politics of Theorizing African American Families” p75-89
1. Why are the various theories about Black families useful for sociologists? What is each theory a response
to?
2. Compare and contrast the Social Deficit and Strength-Resiliency perspectives on African American families.
In what historical setting did each perspective come from? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the
Social Deficit and Strength-Resiliency perspectives of African American families?
Pyke, “‘The Normal American Family’ as an Interpretive Structure of Family Life” p90-1OS
1. How does the image of the model minority interplay with the image of the “Family?” How is the stereotype
of the model minority used to shore up the image of the “Family?”
2. What was Pyke’s methodological approach to this research? What are some of the shortcomings of her
methodology?
General Questions
1. How has your family changed over time? Do these changes align with the larger historical patterns
discussed in the readings and the note page?
2. What will family formations look like in the future? What impact do you think technology like the internet
and smart phones have on families?
Discuss some of the following questions:
Coontz. “Historical Perspectives on Family Diversity” p42-1.
1. Describe the six changes that. according to Coontz, have occurred in family organization, resulting in the
“modernization” of the family. How have these changes influenced family diversity in terms of social class.
race, gender. and ethnicity?
2. What changes do you currently see taking place with regard to family forms and functions? What factors
account for these contemporary changes? How do these changes influence family diversity in terms of social
class, race, gender, ethnicity. marital status. sexual orientation, etc.?
Hill, “The Politics of Theorizing African American Families” p75-89
1. Why are the various theories about Black families useful for sociologists? What is each theory a response
to?
2. Compare and contrast the Social Deficit and Strength-Resiliency perspectives on African American families.
In what historical setting did each perspective come from? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the
Social Deficit and Strength-Resiliency perspectives of African American families?
Pyke, “‘The Normal American Family’ as an Interpretive Structure of Family Life” p90-1OS
1. How does the image of the model minority interplay with the image of the “Family?” How is the stereotype
of the model minority used to shore up the image of the “Family?”
2. What was Pyke’s methodological approach to this research? What are some of the shortcomings of her
methodology?
General Questions
1. How has your family changed over time? Do these changes align with the larger historical patterns
discussed in the readings and the note page?
2. What will family formations look like in the future? What impact do you think technology like the internet
and smart phones have on families?
