SOC 111: Introduction to Sociology
Professor Chase M. Billingham

Writing Assignment #1: Family Structure and Household Labor in American Society

We have begun our discussion of social institutions by looking at the family in contemporary society. Two important topics that we are covering are the shifting norms and laws regarding same-sex couples and the unequal division of labor in married-couple households. Even though women are increasingly entering the labor force and working outside the home, they still tend to do more housework than their husbands do. Meanwhile, as the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that all states must recognize same-sex marriage, and as Americans become more tolerant of same-sex couples, we are likely to see a larger number of married-couple households in our nation consisting of two women or two men. For this writing assignment, you will think and write about the evolving structure of the family in the United States and what it means for the changing function of the family as an institution in our society.

Specifically, I want you to consider what shifting family composition may entail for the gendered division of household labor. Begin by reading the article that I have posted on Blackboard (Liza Mundy, “The Gay Guide to Wedded Bliss,” The Atlantic).In the past, male partners in married-couple relationships tended more frequently to work outside of the home for money, while female partners were more likely to engage in unremunerated domestic labor. If, instead of one woman and one man in a married-couple household, you have two women or two men, how does that change our ideas about gender roles? Drawing on the article, class lectures, and the Conley textbook, answer the following questions:

1. What is a “family,” and what are some of the functions of this institution in modern society? What are some of the ways in which family and household composition has evolved in recent years in the United States?

2. How has household labor historically been a “gendered” phenomenon? With the increasing prevalence of same-sex marriage in the United States, how might that change over time, according to Mundy?

3. Do you believe that household labor should be divided equally among married partners, or is some level of inequality reasonable? Are the changes to family structure that are occurring in our society a good thing for social progress, or do you think that they threaten to undermine the traditional functions of the family and traditional values?

You should respond to these questions in a well-crafted paper of four to five pages (approximately 1,200-1,500 words). Your paper must be typed, double-spaced, and formatted with 1-inch margins and 12-point Times New Roman font.

You should draw on course materials and the assigned article in crafting your response. To that end, you may selectively quote from the article and the textbook to support any arguments that you make, as long as you properly cite all of your quotations. Do not quote excessively, however – the vast majority of your paper should be made up of your own ideas written in your own words.

Your paper will be graded above all on its content. In evaluating your paper, I will be looking primarily at whether you answered the questions sufficiently, and at the thoroughness of your explanations. Along with content, I will take structure, grammar, syntax, spelling, punctuation, and style into consideration when grading your paper. I will be looking to see that you have organized your thoughts in a clear and logical manner, within cohesive paragraphs. Make sure to edit and proofread your paper before handing it in. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes will adversely affect your grade.

Your paper will be graded on a scale of 0-10 points. I will automatically deduct 1 point from your score for every day (beginning at 12:00 pm) that it is late.

Your paper is due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, March 1