Marriage And Family 1
Week 1 Homework Questions
SOCS315- Marriage And Family
, 2
Chapter 1- Page 29(30)
Question 2.
What is meant by the idea that race, class, and gender are interactive systems rather than
individual variables? Think about your own family of orientation, and take one particular aspect
of your family life as an example. Discuss briefly how race, class, and gender act simultaneously
to shape that aspect of your family life.
Race, class, and gender are all interactive systems because they are all in sync on
providing the blueprint of a family. This includes religion, moral compass, values, quality of
life, and so on. Schwartz, M. A., Scott, B. M. (02/2012) said it best stating, “By interrelated, we
mean that complex interconnections exist among race, class, gender, and sexual orientation such
that families are not separately affected because of the racial composition of their members, to
which is added the influence of their economic situation, then the gender of their members, after
which comes the impact of the sexual orientation of its members. In other words, race, class,
gender, and sexual orientation are not independent variables that can be tacked onto each other
or separated at will.”
The most effective factors of the above described that helped shape my life are class,
gender, and the gender of my family members. I had to learn what it was to be a man by picking
up as much knowledge as I could from other males around me. This was due to the fact that my
father left when I was two years old, and I was raised by my mother. Positive male role models
were in short supply growing up because our social class was that of a lower income, and we
lived in crime filled areas. As a result, I had difficult times as a teenager. I learned many life
lessons the hard way, instead of learning how to be a productive male in society from my father.
As I grew older, what seemed to be a curse, turned out to be a blessing. I learned that a
man is supposed to work hard, and developed a strong work ethic. Most productive males in low
income areas work extra hard to keep their family financially stable. Now, I make a good
income, work hard, and make sure my wife and children live in a safe upper middle class
community. My experience as a child drove me to do better for myself, and my family. I also
strive to make sure my children always have their dad, and teach them every life lesson I had to
learn the hard way. My experiences growing up made me stronger, more appreciative, and
dedicated to my families success.
Question 4.
Most people agree that marriages and families underwent major changes during the last half of
the twentieth century; however, few people link these changes to larger societal changes that
have taken place. Identify some of the major changes that have taken place during the past 50
years (for example, in transportation, technology, and social welfare policies), and discuss their
impact on contemporary marriages and families. Reflect on your own family and consider how
one such change has affected your family and/or families like yours.
Week 1 Homework Questions
SOCS315- Marriage And Family
, 2
Chapter 1- Page 29(30)
Question 2.
What is meant by the idea that race, class, and gender are interactive systems rather than
individual variables? Think about your own family of orientation, and take one particular aspect
of your family life as an example. Discuss briefly how race, class, and gender act simultaneously
to shape that aspect of your family life.
Race, class, and gender are all interactive systems because they are all in sync on
providing the blueprint of a family. This includes religion, moral compass, values, quality of
life, and so on. Schwartz, M. A., Scott, B. M. (02/2012) said it best stating, “By interrelated, we
mean that complex interconnections exist among race, class, gender, and sexual orientation such
that families are not separately affected because of the racial composition of their members, to
which is added the influence of their economic situation, then the gender of their members, after
which comes the impact of the sexual orientation of its members. In other words, race, class,
gender, and sexual orientation are not independent variables that can be tacked onto each other
or separated at will.”
The most effective factors of the above described that helped shape my life are class,
gender, and the gender of my family members. I had to learn what it was to be a man by picking
up as much knowledge as I could from other males around me. This was due to the fact that my
father left when I was two years old, and I was raised by my mother. Positive male role models
were in short supply growing up because our social class was that of a lower income, and we
lived in crime filled areas. As a result, I had difficult times as a teenager. I learned many life
lessons the hard way, instead of learning how to be a productive male in society from my father.
As I grew older, what seemed to be a curse, turned out to be a blessing. I learned that a
man is supposed to work hard, and developed a strong work ethic. Most productive males in low
income areas work extra hard to keep their family financially stable. Now, I make a good
income, work hard, and make sure my wife and children live in a safe upper middle class
community. My experience as a child drove me to do better for myself, and my family. I also
strive to make sure my children always have their dad, and teach them every life lesson I had to
learn the hard way. My experiences growing up made me stronger, more appreciative, and
dedicated to my families success.
Question 4.
Most people agree that marriages and families underwent major changes during the last half of
the twentieth century; however, few people link these changes to larger societal changes that
have taken place. Identify some of the major changes that have taken place during the past 50
years (for example, in transportation, technology, and social welfare policies), and discuss their
impact on contemporary marriages and families. Reflect on your own family and consider how
one such change has affected your family and/or families like yours.
