Assignemnt: Position Paper on Family- Definition and Role

Over the past several decades, Americans' living arrangements have changed dramatically. In the 1960s, 3 in 4 children lived in a traditional family (i.e. heterosexual parents in their first marriage). Today, less than half of children do so. Despite changes in living arrangements, society still expects family as a social institution to provide financial and emotional support for members, bear/adopt children and socialize them to function effectively in the broader society, respect external authority and maintain authority/control within the family unit. You are to write a 3 page double spaced paper that

1. Argues persuasively for or against society broadening the definition of family to include nontraditional groups. Personal opinion alone is not sufficient. Back up your position (The Definition of Family Should Remain Limited by Christensen)with reliable statistics, expert opinion, or other quality evidence, citing at least two different sources (use APA style).

1. Critically evaluates the ability of unmarried heterosexual partners, unmarried or married homosexual partners, reproductive technology users, single parents (never married or divorced), and voluntary childless couples to do each of these tasks as compared with a traditional family structure. Explicitly discuss the strengths and challenges each group faces in successfully completing each task. Support your evaluation with at least two quotes from assigned readings and one quote from a reputable outside source (3 or more quotes in this part of your paper). Be sure to discuss all nontraditional groups listed.

3. Proposes a definition of family that you think society should adopt. Give explicit justification for why your definition should be widely used. What are the key advantages and expected outcomes of use of your definition? Would your definition align with or challenge current law related to family (e.g. employee benefits, inheritance rules, etc.)? Evaluate the usefulness of your definition for such activities as census enumeration, research, eligibility for public assistance.