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Families

1. What is a family? How does the Census Bureau define family? How would a sociologist define a family?

2. Define:

   1. Endogamy/exogamy/homogamy

   2. Polygamy/polygyny/polyandry

   3. Incest taboo

1. Using your sociological imagination, think about/explain how we select mates (dating, sexual, committed)? What social forces influence our choices?

2. Using your sociological imagination, think about/explain how we make the decision to get divorced. What social forces influence our choices?

3. Utilize the 3 main theoretical perspectives when discussing families:

Functionalism –

What functions does family perform in society?

What roles do individuals play in the family?

Interactionism –

How do our statuses influence our interactions within the family?

Does gender affect our family roles? What about age? Disability? Race? Others?

Conflict theory –

Are all families treated equal in our society?

What conclusion does Matthew Desmond come to in his study of evictions regarding family status?

What are some of the ways in which families experience discrimination in our society?