SOC 100 Online: Principles of Sociology

Elizabeth Olah
Assignment #6
For each of the following questions, use examples from each of the readings and/or videos
whenever possible to support your answers. Whenever you are asked to give an example, you
need to provide your own example; examples discussed in the book will not be accepted.

1. Go to the website http://familyecho.com/#edit:START and construct your family tree.

Be sure to submit your family tree with your assignment (click on print at the bottom of
the page, as save your family tree as a PDF file). Youre not required to use last names.
You can do the assignment in 1 tree, or 2 trees. My example is 2 trees to demonstrate the
difference between Family of Orientation and Family of Procreation. After you have
done this, use sociological terminology to discuss and describe your family. Specifically,
discuss the composition of your family (be sure to identify your family of orientation and
your family of procreation), how descent is determined in your family, and any other
important characteristics.
Answers should be approximately 1-2 paragraphs (4 points)

My family is pretty normal as far as an average American family; my parents are still
marries, I have a younger sibling, and we participate in social activities that bring us closer
together as a family. However, because I am not married or a parent I still hold the view that
my family is a family of orientation. My parents would view my family as a family of
procreation.
My family consists of different ethnicities. On my fathers side it ranges from Hungarian
to Cuban. On my mothers side, there is a stronger French and Italian influence in her heritage.
All of my grandparents on both sides were immigrants and born outside of the United States. I
think that fact really influences my political and social views on immigration and the policies
within our government. If my grandparents were not able to move to the States, my parents may
not have never met and I might not have been born!

2. The American family has undergone significant changes over the past 60 years or so. (a)
Discuss at least five important changes that have occurred in the institution of the family. (b)
What are some reasons to explain why these changes have occurred? (c) What effects have these
changes had on society?
Answers should be approximately 3 paragraphs (3 points)

Similarly, single parents, same-sex parents, cohabitating parents, and unwed parents are
changing our notion of what it means to be a family. Single parenting has become a trend with
the rise of divorce. After the gay pride movement within America, same-sex parents are
becoming more accepted in our society. With the aftermath of the baby boomer generation, the
need for marriage with ones significant other is declining; therefore, there is more parents who
are content with cohabitation (living with each other) than before, without marrying one another.
Historical events have definitely influences what it means to be a family. There was
such a stern standard a few decades before of what this definition was. However, increases in
cohabitation, same-sex partners, and singlehood are altering of our ideas of marriage Therefore,
although most children still live in opposite-sex, two-parent, married households, that is no
longer viewed as the only type of nuclear family
The single most event that has occurred more socially is divorce. Todays families face a
variety of challenges, specifically to marital stability. While divorce rates have decreased in the
last twenty-five years, many family members, especially children, still experience the negative
effects of divorce. Children are also negatively impacted by violence and abuse within the home,
with nearly 6 million children abused each year.

3. (a) What are some of the functions of the institution of the family? (b) What are some of the
ways in which the institution of the family contributes to inequality?
Answers should be approximately 1-2 paragraphs (3 points)

The functions of a family is to form emotional connections to its members and to contribute
economically to the government. I think inequality occurs when someone tries to define what a
family is. For example, the government has a very specific definition of what a family is;
therefore, some policies may not cater to those who do not line up to that specific definition.

Question 4 is from the assigned video: Credentialism

4. (a) What is credentialism? (b) What are the benefits of credentialism for our society? (c) What
problems does credentialism present for our society? Who is likely to be disadvantaged by
increased credentialism?
Answers should be approximately 1-2 paragraphs (4 points)

Credentialism is defined as the emphasis on certificates or degrees to show that a person has a
certain skill, has attained a certain level of education, or has met certain job qualifications. With
the labels that come with earning a college degree, one is more likely to secure a job post
academia. However, those who would be disadvantaged to credentialism are those who are
unable to afford a higher education. Universal education is not a term enforced in the United
States; therefore, the problem will continue that there are people unable to benefit from
credentialism.

5. (a) What are the functions of the institution of education? (b) What is the hidden curriculum?
What purpose does the hidden curriculum serve? Who benefits from the hidden curriculum?
Answers should be approximately 1-2 paragraphs (4 points)

Education contributes two kinds of functions: manifest (or primary) functions, which are the
intended and visible functions of education; and latent (or secondary) functions, which are the
hidden and unintended functions. The primary manifest function is socialization. However, latent
functions could include providing a place for parents to place their kids while they work.
Questions from Reading 20 in Sociology in Action (Miller: Paternity Leave: The Rewards and
the Remaining Stigma)

6. What are some of the benefits of taking paternity leave for men and their families?
Answers should be approximately a few sentences (2 points)

The father is more likely to become more involved in years to come in the childs life. Also,
women whose husbands take paternity leave have increased career earnings and have a
decreased chance of depression in the nine months after childbirth.

7. What are some of the negative consequences of taking paternity leave? Why are men hesitant
to take this leave when a new child is born?
Answers should be approximately a paragraph (2 points)

Men are hesitant in taking paternity leave because the likelihood of a promotion at their jobs
decreases after he takes a leave. Because men are so career-driven, they would rather hold
priority to their job rather than staying at home with their baby.

8. What does this article suggest about changing gender roles and family dynamics in the U.S.?
In what ways have gender expectations stayed the same and in what ways have they changed?
Answers should be approximately 1-2 paragraphs (2 points)

That the family dynamics have not really changed over the decades in any drastic way. However,
the expectations have grown towards women; now, 70 percent of women are involved in the
work force. However, society still holds the expectation of them being a mother and wife.

Questions from Reading 21 in Sociology in Action (Reardon: No Rich Child Left Behind)

9. What are the myths associated with the education gap?

Answers should be approximately a few sentences (2 points)

The income gap in academic achievement is not growing because the test scores of poor students
are dropping or because our schools are in decline. The widening income disparity in academic
achievement is not a result of widening racial gaps in achievement, either.

10. Since the myths dont explain the gap, what does?
Answers should be approximately a few sentences (2 points)

The academic gap is widening because rich students are increasingly entering kindergarten much
better prepared to succeed in school than middle-class students. This difference in preparation
persists through elementary and high school.