Analysis

Family Trend Analysis

( 3 pages, not including reference list)

Being able to gauge and assess social trends is key to understanding how society is changing and how these changes might impact families. For this Assignment, you will be examining a social trend regarding an aspect of family life.

Please choose from one of the following five general topic options; you will be identifying a social trend (or trends) associated with this topic. 

1. Divorce

2. Childcare

3. Cohabitation

4. Grandparents

5. Single-parent families

1. As part of your introductory paragraph, explain the general topic that you will be addressing and why it is significant. In this paragraph, cite at least one relevant Learning Resource. In addition, explain the geographic scope of your assignment (local, state, region, country, global). (Note: you are welcome to choose any geographic area.)

2. Explain what trend or trends related to your topic have you identified from your selected source. Also, explain what source you used for identifying the trend. (Be sure to cite the source of information.)

3. Explain the evidence for your trend, using the specific numbers that indicate how this trend has changed over time. Be sure to identify the years over which the data were collected and if possible, how the data were collected. (Be sure to cite the source of information.)

4. Identify any social problems and/or positive consequences that might arise from this trend.

5. As part of our conclusion, write a self-reflection: Has this trend affected you and/or someone that you know? If so, explain how, or if not, explain how this trend might affect you and/or someone that you know in the future.

Your assignment should include at least two Learning Resources and at least one source for trend information.  In addition, you may use other authoritative resources for information and insights. Be sure to use APA-style citations when relying on/quoting from your sources (including the Learning Resources) and include a Reference List at the end of your assignment.

Here are some resources that might be helpful for identifying trends (in the U.S. unless stated otherwise):

AARP. (2019). 2018 national grandparents today survey. Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/research/surveys_statistics/life-leisure/2019/aarp-grandparenting-study.doi.10.26419-2Fres.00289.001.pdf

Australian Institute of Family Studies. (2020). Family trends and transitions. Retrieved from https://aifs.gov.au/projects/family-trends-and-transitions (Australia)

Institute for Social Trends. (2019). World family map: Mapping social change and family outcomes. Retrieved from https://ifstudies.org/ifs-admin/resources/reports/worldfamilymap-2019-051819final.pdf

Pew Research Center. (n.d.). Family and relationships. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/topics/family-and-relationships/ (This is the main page, which features links to their many studies regarding family in the United States.)

Social Issues Research Center. (2020). Welcome. Retrieved from http://www.sirc.org/ (United Kingdom)

Learning Resources:

Amato, P. (2014). Why study families? Retrieved from

https://www.ncfr.org/ncfr-report/past-issues/summer-2014/what-family

Crash Course. (2017). Major sociological paradigms: Crash course sociology #2. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbTt_ySTjaY

Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. (2018). Family (Sociology). Retrieved from https://search.ebscohost.com/log

Crash Course. (2017). Theories about marriage & family: Crash course sociology #37. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaeiCEro0iU

Esher Sociology. (2017, August 10). Changing family patterns: Marriage and divorce [in Great Britain]. Retrieved from  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPoL4sYYDi4&list=PLMDNOsVq3VQY59Pr6TeaOLMuGIrgO2Jps&index=3

Asia Society. (2020). Indian society and ways of living: Organization of social life in India. Retrieved from  https://asiasociety.org/education/indian-society-and-ways-living  

Asia Society. (2020). The value and meaning of the Korean family. Retrieved from  https://asiasociety.org/education/value-and-meaning-korean-family

Geiger, A. W., & Livingston, G. (2019, Feb. 13). 8 facts about love and marriage in America. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019

New Yorker. (2019, June 27). Esther Perel explains why wedding vows evolved with society. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7oWM07jA0c

University of Pennsylvania. (2016, Dec. 7). Using policy to promote strong families. Retrieved from https://publicpolicy.wharton.upenn.edu/live/news/1

Coppola, E. C., McCall, C. E., Bailey, K., Mihalec-Adkins, B. P., & Wadsworth, S. M. (2020, Feb. 19). Understanding the challenges and meeting the needs of Military and Veteran Families https://www.ncfr.org/resources/research-and-policy-briefs/understanding-challenges-and-meeting-needs-military-and-veteran-families

Glass, J., Simon, R. W., Andersson, M. A. (2017). The parenthood “happiness penalty”: The effects of social policies in 22 countries. PRC Research Brief Report Prepared for the University of Texas at Austin Population Research Center https://contemporaryfamilies.org/the-parenthood-happiness-penalty-the-effects-of-social-policies-in-22-countries/

Eviction Lab. (2018). Why eviction matters. Retrieved from  https://evictionlab.org/why-eviction-matters/

National Academy of Sciences. (2019). A roadmap to reducing child poverty. Retrieved fromhttps://www.nap.edu/resource/25246/Child%20Poverty.pdf

Thomeer, M. B., & Yahirum, J. (2020, May 6). Families contribute to health inequalities during Covid-19. Retrieved from

https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/496376-families-contribute-to-health-inequalities-during-covid-19

Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality. (2016, Dec. 5). Arlie Hochschild: The Second Shift. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvzE6zYk

Carlson, D. L., Petts, R. J., Pepin, J. R. (2020). Men and women agree: During the COVID-19 pandemic men are doing more at home. Retrieved from: 

https://contemporaryfamilies.org/covid-couples-division-of-labor/

FamilyProcess1. (2017, Oct. 4). Patricia Papernow, Recoupling in mid-life. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su78WZM-0ak

Miller, A., & Sassler, S. (2020, May 4). Challenges facing cohabiting couples differ from those of married couples in this crisis. Retrieved from

https://contemporaryfamilies.org/cohabiting-during-covid/

Patterson, C. J., & Goldberg, A. E. (2016, Nov.). Lesbian and gay parents and their children. Retrieved from https://www.ncfr.org/sites/default/files/

Thomas, D. (2020, April 20). As family structures change in U.S., most Americans say it makes no difference. Retrieved from

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/04/10/as-family-structures-change-in-u-s-a-growing-share-of-americans-say-it-makes-no-difference/

Crash Course (2017). Stages of family life: Sociology crash course #38. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWTz3KBCxfg