You have the book Cohen, Philip N. 2020. The Family: Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change. (3rd)
Answer the questions in your own words.
1. Which institution is the backbone of society? Why? Include in your answer a reference to what a
social institution is and the functions it serves.
(Family is a group of people who identify and relate in ways of caring, being responsible, and
exercising authority with and for each other. Tie in Cohen p. 5-6, 9, 12, Ch1 PPT; “The Family is”
to construct your answer using your own words).
2. Distinguish between the family and a family. (See “The Family is.ppt).
3. Describe the different ideas of family discussed by Cohen. Does the law recognize families as
they really are?
(See Cohen Ch. 1, pp: 5-16, PPT; Risman and Rutter Part 1 pp:75-90; Families in Law and
Families in Practice.pdf
4. Elaborate on the views and questions of major theoretical perspectives on marriage and the family
(See Canvas Module 1Theory on Family and Cohen Ch.1, PPT).
5. Compare and contrast the similarities and differences among the theoretical perspectives about the
family.
(See Cohen Ch.1, PPT)
6. Why are symbolic interaction and exchange theory micro-perspectives on the family?
(See Cohen Ch. 1, PPT; Family Theory.doc).
7. Define and illustrate the following concepts/constructs: social group, social category, group types,
marriage, cohabitation, conjugal family, nucledescent, biraditional family, personal family, legal
family, single-parent family, blended family, extended family, endogamy, exogamy, monogamy,
polygamy, stepfamily, patrilineal descent, matrilineal descent, bi-lineal descent, matriarchy,
patriarchy, neo-local residence, family household, non-family household, kinship, family of
orientation, family of procreation, patri-local residence, matri-local residence, homogamy,
heterogamy, serial monogamy, and divorce.
(See Cohen, Ch.2 PPT; “The Family is.ppt).
8. Describe the historical evolution of American families.
(See Cohen Ch.2, PPT; “American Families and American History.doc”; Risman and Rutter Part 2
pp: 30-48 “The Evolution of American Families” by Stephanie Coontz.
9. What is the significance of the US Immigration policies on the ethnic landscape of the American
family? (See Cohen Ch. 3, pp: 104-106, 115-116, PPT).
10. “All immigrant families are welcomed to the United States.” Offer support or counterevidence to
the above statement (address the case of minority families in Cohen Ch.2, pp: 52-55, Ch. 3, pp:
104-116, PPT).