SOC 351 Response Paper

Topic: The Changing Nature of Marriage and Family Life in the U.S.

Families are one of the most important social institutions, but they are not static. Marriage and family life in the United States have shifted dramatically across history and continue to vary by class, race, ethnicity, and cultural background. Understanding these changes helps us see how family life is shaped by larger social, economic, and cultural forces.

This first response paper is designed to give you an opportunity to reflect on how families have changed over time, how they vary today, and how your own family or community experiences connect to these broader themes.

Assignment Instructions

Write a 23-page paper (double-spaced, 1-inch margins, New Times Roman or Calibri 12-point font) responding to the prompts below. Be sure to use APA in-text citations and include a reference page at the end. No cover page or abstract is needed.

Questions to Address in Your Paper

Discuss how marriage and family life in the United States has changed over time and how it varies today.

• What are the historical shifts in family roles, marriage practices, or childrearing.
• How contemporary families differ by factors such as class, race/ethnicity, or household composition.
• How social class influences parenting and expectations for children.
• Connections to your own family, community, or observations of society today.
• Personal/Family Connection Share how themes like cohabitation, single-parent households, divorce, remarriage, or parenting styles appear in your own family or extended family. Example: My parents delayed marriage until after finishing college, which reflects the trend of later marriage.
• Community Connection Discuss what you notice in your neighborhood, faith community, school, or workplace. Example: In my community, many families rely on extended kin for child care, which reflects the concept of fictive kin ties.
• Societal Observation Reflect on broader trends youve noticed in society, media, or popular culture. Example: Television shows often portray blended families and cohabiting couples, which mirrors the increase in these family forms in the U.S.
• You are not required to share anything private or uncomfortable. The goal is to link abstract concepts to lived experience, showing how sociology connects to everyday life.
• Your paper should include supported reasons and examples in paragraph format.

Assignment Format

• Cite sources properly in APA format (see APA resource:
• ).
• Include a reference page at the end.

Purposeful AI Use

• Purposeful AI Use: You may use AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Bard, Microsoft AI Chatbot, or other AI platforms to enhance your creativity, explore new ideas, and refine your understanding of course material. These tools should serve as supplementary resources, not replacements for your individual thought and effort.
• Citation and Attribution: Any AI-generated content in assignments or discussions must be properly cited and attributed. This includes acknowledging AI tools used and giving credit where it is due. Proper citation maintains academic integrity and promotes transparency in the learning process.

CriteriaExcellent (Full Credit)AdequateNeeds ImprovementPointsContent & Understanding (15 pts)Demonstrates strong understanding of marriage and family changes/variations; accurate use of evidence and examples.Shows some understanding but may lack detail or clarity.Limited understanding; missing key concepts or off-topic./15Application of Sociological Theory/Concepts (10 pts)Effectively applies sociological concepts or theories (e.g., functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, social class, familism) to analyze family life.Some concepts/theories applied, but superficial or underdeveloped.Little to no application of sociological theory/concepts./10Critical Thinking & Application (10 pts)Thoughtful connections to real-world examples or personal reflection; integrates material meaningfully.Some connections made, but limited depth or mostly descriptive.Minimal or no application beyond summary./10Organization & Clarity (7 pts)Well-organized paragraphs; logical flow of ideas; writing is clear and coherent.Some organization; occasional unclear passages or weak transitions.Disorganized or difficult to follow./7APA Format & References (4 pts)Correct in-text citations and properly formatted reference page.Minor APA errors but overall understandable.Missing citations, reference page, or major APA issues./4Mechanics (4 pts)Free from spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.Occasional errors that do not distract from readability.Frequent errors that affect clarity and readability./4Purposeful AI Use (Bonus +2 pts)Student acknowledges and properly cites use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) as supplementary support; demonstrates transparency and academic integrity.Student mentions AI use but citation/attribution is incomplete.No AI use disclosed despite evidence of AI assistance.+2 (bonus)

Book: The Marriage and Family Experience: Intimate Relationships in a Changing Society by Theodore Cohen and Bryan Strong, edition 14th