empirical research with social problems

This reflection is designed to help you connect empirical research with social problems, including sociological theory. It will also help you see how family issues are not just private matters but linked to broader social forces and problems.

After completing this weeks readings and discussions, write a 12 page reflection (not including the title page and references page in APA format) that connects the sociological research you encountered with the broader understanding of families as a social institution.

In your reflection, address the following prompts:

1. Connection to Research: Choose one topic from this week (e.g., divorce, family violence, working mothers, or the diversity of family structures). Summarize a key research finding you learned about this topic.
2. Social Problem Lens: Explain how this issue reflects a larger social problem in the United States.
3. Theoretical Application: Briefly apply one sociological theory (functionalism, conflict, or symbolic interactionism) to explain the social problem you identified.
4. Personal Insight: End with a short reflection on how learning about this research has shaped or challenged your understanding of family life in society.