The Family

1. Eitzen and Zinn argue that the view that the family is in trouble because of the decline in 'family values' and that the decline of the two-parent family is responsible for our worst social problems ignores the ---------- reasons for changes in the family.

cultural
personal
structural
moral
religious

2. Which of the following is NOT part of what Eitzen and Zinn call the 'mythical' view of the family?

The family used to be stable and harmonious
The family is the haven in a heartless world
Most families fit the same traditional form
Patriarchal families are a main source of gender inequality
Family breakdown is the cause of many social problems

3. Eitzen and Zinn argue that --------- is the most important determinant of family life.

education
religion
class
race and ethnicity
morality

4. Families vary with social conditions, and the -------- pattern is a distinctly white middle-class phenomenon.

breadwinner-homemaker
single-parent
androgynous parenting
two income/dual career

5. The ------------- family has emerged as a new family form because economic uncertainty and domestic upheavals required innovative ways to cope.

modern
postmodern
traditional
meta-modern

6. Social scientists have concluded that --------- benefit more from marriage than do.

men / women
women / men
gays / straights
suburban families / urban families

7. The family structure has changed so much that in 1997 ------------ of households conformed to the traditional model.

less than 20%
about 35%
about 50%
more than 2/3 (67%)

8. The most important resource in determining the balance of marital power between husband and wife is (are)

character.
family values.
education.
control over economic resources.

9. --------- of first marriages end in divorce.

Around one-third
Around half
Over 75%
Almost 90%

10. Which of the following is FALSE?

The younger the age at marriage of partners, the greater the likelihood of divorce.
The lower the education for males, the higher the rate of divorce.
African-Americans have higher rates of divorce than Latinos and Whites
Jews have the highest rate of divorce, followed by Protestants and then Catholics

11. Which of the following is NOT one of the sources of family violence, as explained by Eitzen and Zinn?

The rise of postmodern families
Unequal power in the family
Family life is all encompassing, promoting stress and creating numerous interactions that disputes can develop over
The norm of family privacy prevents outside intervention and keeps victims from seeking help

12. According to order theorists, the so-called traditional or modern family, with a working father and a stay at home mother

is the key source of gender inequality and struggle
is beneficial to both men and women, and functional for the society as a whole
is functional for women, since they didn't have to leave the 'haven in the heartless world', but dysfunctional for men since they had to go out and struggle in a competitive, dog-eat-dog world
originated in hunting and gathering societies, when women used their powers over reproduction to force men into becoming their economic supporters

13. Which of the following is NOT consistent with the conflict perspective of the family?

The family serves the requirements of capitalism by producing both workers and consumers
The family serves the requirements of capitalism by idealizing the realm of the personal
The family is rooted in the social relations of power, not a private relationship of love
The nuclear family has positive consequences for capitalism, but can be negative for individuals
None of the above, since ALL are consistent with the conflict perspective

14. Which of the following is NOT consistent with Marx and Engels' explanation of the patriarchal family?

It originated soon after the emergence of classes, in pastoral and agricultural societies
It emerged to enforce monogamy on women so that men could know who their children were
It has been changing in recent decades due to capitalists' desires for a new, exploitable labor force, capable of replacing male workers and/or reducing male wages
It has become less patriarchal recently, primarily because of women's desires for gender equality

15. In the 1970s, most feminists and supporters of gays and lesbians

were leaders of movements against traditional forms of marriage and family
were pro-family and sought only minor changes within the family
fought for the rights of gay marriage
fought for the rights of gays and lesbians to parent children

16. Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons that some progressive gays and lesbians like Judith Stacey originally opposed seeking legalization of gay and lesbian marriages? 'Gay and lesbian marriage

emphasizes monogamy and conservative, patriarchal relationships'
undermines efforts to degender marriage'
undermines efforts to separate the economic and emotional/sexual elements of marriage'
threatens to legitimize relationships that gays and lesbians would prefer remain illegitimate'

17. According to Arlie Hochschild, home life has become like --------, while --------- has become like home life.

work / work
school / school
church / church
sports / sports

Education

18. According to Eitzen and Zinn, the formal education system in the U.S. has a definite ------------ bias.

conservative
liberal
radical
libertarian

19. Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons that schools reproduce social inequality.

Unequal financing of schools
Educational curriculum is oriented toward the middle and upper class
Geographical segregation of schools leads children of the working class and poor to receive very different educations
Compulsory education
Tracking

20. Perhaps the main reason that schools receive unequal funding is

school authorities have unequal grant-writing abilities
the federal government gives more money to some school districts than it does to others
schools receive most of their funding from local property taxes, which vary greatly
schools receive most of their funding from state tax revenues, which vary greatly

21. Eitzen and Zinn argue that ------------- define(s) how excellence in schooling is measured.

the government
teachers
school administrations
the upper class

22. Eitzen and Zinn are critical of the promotion of 'local control' of education because it leads to all BUT which of the following?

Unequal funding for education
Taxpayer revolts, which can undermine educational funding
A standardized curriculum
Control of schools is dominated by business and professional sectors, and underrepresents blue-collar workers and minorities
Religious views of the majority may intrude on education curriculum

23. ----------- are called for by supporters of free market systems for schools, so students can choose from a variety of different educational experiences.

Hidden curriculums
Nationalized curriculums
Charter schools
Dress codes
Community colleges

24. Students learn early that their classmates are their competitors or enemies, since if they succeed they do so at your expense. This is an example of the ----------- American education.

competitive nature of
hidden curriculum in
collective nature of
high standards of
Both A and B

25. Which of the following is NOT one of the ways that schools try to 'cool out' unsuccessful students?

Schools promote the ideology of individualism, which encourages people to blame themselves for their failures
Counselors may tell the student that they are better suited for other tasks in life
Students are encouraged to blame their lack of success on tough luck, fate, and bad breaks
Failing students are presented with examples of others in similar circumstances who have nonetheless made it
Students are encouraged to question whether the educational system met their needs.

26. Which of the following is NOT one of the vital functions for the maintenance of the prevailing social, political, and economic order that schools perform?

Socializing newcomers to society
Producing people with the skills necessary to solve social problems and change society as necessary
Shaping personalities so they are consistent with the demands of the society
Preparing individuals for their adult roles

27. Eitzen and Zinn argue that public education in the U.S. is biased in favor of

the upper class
professional and upper class families
the working class
the poor
minorities

28. Rosenthal and Jacobson's study found that teachers' attitudes toward their students played ------- role in the their students' success.

no
a small
a significant
None of the above

29. Tracking has all BUT which of the following effects?

It discourages students in lower tracks from living up to their potential
Tracking encourages higher rates of educational success in students in the upper tracks than they would have if placed in classes with students of varying abilities
Students in the upper tracks develop a sense of superiority, while lower track students feel inferior
Lower track students have a high rate of failure and dropping out
Tracking reproduced class inequality over generations since it is highly correlated or linked with students' families' class position

30. According to Mary Crow Dog's article, the primary purpose of Indian boarding schools was to

promote educational success of Native American children
promote better health of Native American children
help Native American children maintain the native cultures
prepare Native American children to live in a multicultural world
solve the Indian problem by assimilating Native Americans into white culture

31. Given Cookson and Persell's research on students that attend rich prep schools, the primary social function of these schools is to

prepare members of the upper classes to rule society.
prepare upper class children for life in Ivy League schools.
promote educational excellence.
raise awareness of the obligations that wealthy classes have to protect the less advantaged classes (a.k.a. nobles oblige).

32. Which of the following is NOT true, regarding students that attend rich prep schools?

They tend to be coddled in many ways, especially academically
They lean how to speak, how to behave at formal gatherings, who to marry, etc., all things that prepare them for life in the upper class
They tend to receive preferences in admission to elite colleges, and promotion to top corporate positions
The social networks of prep schools function to integrate new brains with old wealth, thus helping to revitalize the upper classes

33. Cultural capital refers to

real estate and stock investments
advantages that the upper class has over the middle and working classes
socially created knowledge of cultural backgrounds, norms, and skills that can be used as a resources in 'making it'
the personal histories of the upper class

Religion

34. Sociologists study religion

because it is a ubiquitous phenomenon that has a tremendous impact on human behavior
because it has a major influence on society and society has a major impact on religion
to uncover the real reasons that society is organized the way it is
all of the above
Both A and B

35. 'The social institution that encompasses beliefs and practices regarding the sacred' refers to

cults.
sects.
the order theory's definition of religion.
spirituality

36. Durkheim argued that all religions serve the same function:

Promoting order and unity
Promoting salvation and redemption
Promoting meaning and satisfaction
Reducing frustration and anxiety

37. Durkheim believed that all religions divide the world into the

material and non-material
sacred and profane
religious and sacred
spiritual and sacred

38. Marx argued that religion inhibits social change by

making it appear that social arrangements are right and inevitable
sanctifying existing social arrangements
teaching the powerless to accept their lot in life
offering the powerless a reward in the hereafter if they accept their class position in this life
All of the above

39. Marx would argue that the Bible's argument that 'the meek shall inherit the earth' leads people to

become revolutionary, since it suggests that God wants the oppressed classes to overthrow their oppressors
become politically moderate and embrace peaceful methods to change society
not assert themselves, and instead accept their oppression, believing that good things will happen to them eventually
None of the above

40. Weber's main thesis in The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism is

capitalism is undermined by religious superstition
the Protestant Reformation encouraged the development of modern capitalism
capitalism is highly valued by Christian communities
people feel torn between the demands of their religion and their desire to make money

41. Which of the following principles of Calvinism are key to understanding how it promoted the rise of capitalism, according to Weber's theory?

Original sin
Spirituality
Predestiny
Asceticism
Both C and D

42. Which of the following is FALSE, regarding differences between Marx and Weber's views of religion and social change?

Unlike Marx, Weber believes that religion can promote social change
Unlike Weber, Marx argued that economic factors are more important than religious beliefs in explaining social life
Unlike Marx, Weber believed that the leaders of religious institutions were generally linked closely with the leaders of economic and political institutions
All of the above are false

43. The peasant based social movements in Central America and the Civil Rights movement can be seen as examples of

how religion functions as an opiate of the masses
liberation theology-based social movements
how religion promotes social regulation and integration
how religion promotes the development of new economic systems

44. Which of the following is NOT one of the central themes of the United States' 'civil religion'?

The belief that God has a special destiny for the U.S., which leads to a self-righteousness in foreign relations
It tends toward an uncritical endorsement of U.S. values and practices.
It can lead people to stand up for certain principles, which may lead them to criticize government policies.
None of the above, since ALL are central themes of the civil religion of the U.S.

45. ------------- are characterized by a fundamental withdrawal from and rejection of the world, membership by way of conversion, and voluntary baptism for adults being the only accepted form.

Churches
Sects
Cults
Denominations

46. A --------- is a new religion with practices and teachings at odds and often in rejection of the dominant culture and religious doctrines.

church
sect
cult
denomination

47. Selection of a successor leader in a sect is done by a process called the ------------, which involves an organization's attempt to transmit the charisma of the former leader to a new one.

deification of charisma
routinization of charisma
divine calling
popular calling

48. Why are some people more like to join sects?

Because sects provide friends and meaning in an increasingly bureaucratic, cold, changing, and meaningless world
Lower status people tend to be attracted to sects as a way of gaining social status and rejecting social hierarchies that have rejected them
Members of the upper classes are more likely to join sects because they can sacrifice the time and money that sects require
All of the above
Both A and B

49. The more education and income one has, the --------------- likely one is to find religion important and to hold traditional beliefs.

more
equally
less
None of the above; there is no relationship between these.

50. Eitzen and Zinn cite the Evangelical Christian efforts to oppose the teaching of evolution and sex education in schools as an example of a

reform movement
resistance movement
revolutionary movement
redemptive movement

In-class Essay Section. There are three sets of essay questions, one set on the family, one on education, and one on religion. Answer ONE question each from the two areas that you did NOT write your take home question on (thus you are to answer TWO questions). Write your answers in the box below the questions. Be sure to start your answer with its corresponding letter (e.g. "A3."). 5 points each.

51. Family. Answer ONE of the following questions. 5 points.

A. Summarize the argument Eitzen and Zinn discuss that says that the U.S. has lost its "family values", and that the collapse of the family is the cause of our worst social problems. How, in E&Z's view, is this argument wrong? What social problems have you seen attributed to the decline of the family and family values? What do you think of this argument?

B. Compare the attributes of a "good husband" for women in the working class, with those for women in middle-class families. How do you define a good mate? How might your class position explain (at least in part) your criteria?

C. What is "marital power". Why do men tend to have more of it, according to E&Z? What is the source of their power? How, and why, is this changing in recent years?

D. Discuss why some gays and lesbians would oppose gay marriage, according to Judith Stacy. Discuss why many gays and lesbians support gay marriage. Take a position on this debate, and support it.

E. What is "the mommy tax?" What evidence does Crittendon present that women's average earnings are close to the "biblical" ration of 60% of men's? What is Crittendon's explanation for these differences? Assess her arguments. What does she propose to lower the 'tax?' What do you think?

F. What is the time bind? Why has "work become home and home has become work"? Assess this argument. Do you see evidence of this in your own life?

52. Education. Answer ONE of the following questions. 5 points.

A. Explain and critically examine E&Z's argument and evidence that schools are preoccupied with order and control, not with learning. Respond to the quote from Farber's book and the "paradoxes" that E&Z list.

B. What is "cooling out?" How do schools cool out students who "fail" to succeed? What examples of such cooling out have you observed? Do you think that community colleges serve as another technique for cooling out working class children, as some critics argue?

C. What is tracking? What are the arguments for and against this practice? What percentage of schools use tracking? Explain E&Z's argument that tracking often stigmatizes students in lower tracks. How can tracking produce self-fulfilling prophecies? How does tracking explain the negative attitudes that many students take toward school?

D. Summarize Crow Dog and Erdoes' main argument. Sociologically explain why Mary Crow Dog's school treated her and other Native American students the way they did. Compare Crow Dog's experiences with your own experiences in school. How were (are) you and other students at your school socialized to fit into the dominant culture? What forms of "resistance", if any, did you engage in?

E. What is "cultural capital?" What role does it play in the education of children of upper class families? How do prep schools prepare students for their lives in the elite segments of society? Compare the schools Cookson and Persell describe with your own high school experiences.

F. Summarize Ann Arnett Ferguson's argument regarding African American boys, schools, and punishment. Be sure to address her argument that "boys distance themselves from the school's agenda to avoid capitulating to its strategies for fashioning a self for upward mobility..." What does she recommend to address the relationship between school punishment and eventual incarceration? Assess her recommendations and arguments.

53. Religion. Answer ONE of the following questions. 5 points.

A. Compare and contrast Durkheim, Marx, and Weber's theories on the social effects of religion. Which do you find more insightful? Why? Be specific.

B. Summarize E&Z's description and explanation of recent changes in religion in the U.S. Why are mainline denominations declining? Why are fundamentalist, evangelical and Pentecostal religions becoming more popular? What do you think?

C. Compare and contrast the comforting and challenging roles of mainline churches. Summarize and discuss the criticisms of churches that emphasize the comforting role. Have you seen evidence of these roles in any churches, synagogues, mosques, etc., that you've attended? If so, which tendency do you think is/was dominant? Why?

D. What is the Religious Right? Summarize and discuss their religious and political beliefs.

E. Summarize Weber's main theoretical argument in "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism"? What role does Weber think Calvinism played in promoting the development of capitalism? How does Weber's theory contrast with Marx's view of religion? Which do you find more convincing? Why?

F. Summarize and assess Chaves' argument and evidence regarding claims that "Americans" are becoming more secular. Why, according to Chaves, do many people in the U.S. maintain their religiosity, despite secularization trends?