Families differ significantly across time, societies, and cultures. These differences may exist, for example, in family relationships; forms of marriage; expectations about family roles, responsibilities, and duties; and how "family" is defined. Using the resources provided below, please construct an in-depth sociological analysis that compares the definition of family and relationships in your own society, culture, or the present time with that of another society, culture, or previous decade. To begin, specifically identify two societies, cultures, or decades that this sociological analysis will be analyzing and comparing. Next, choose one of the following three options (Structural Functionalism, Conflict Theory, or Symbolic Interactionism) to research and discuss. Thoroughly explain, answer, and address all questions and prompts in great detail and ensure that all facts and information stated are supported by the provided/reliable sources.

Option 1 - Structural Functionalism

• Identify the two societies, cultures, or times that you will be comparing, as well as which theory you will be using.
• Briefly describe how the "typical" family is defined in each of the two societies/cultures/times.
• Identify one key function or role of the family in each of the two societies/cultures/times (i.e., a total of two functions/roles).
• Explain (a) the functionalist perspective and (b) how a functionalist theorist might explain the importance of these roles/functions for society.
• Share a self-reflection on how your own family fulfills or does not fulfill the two functions/roles that you have identified.

Option 2 - Conflict Theory

• Identify the two societies, cultures, or times that you will be comparing, as well as which theory you will be using.
• Briefly describe how the "typical" family is defined in each of the two societies/cultures/times.
• Identify a key problem (economic, social, political, and/or technological) that families face in each of the two societies/cultures/times (i.e., a total of two problems).
• Explain (a) the conflict perspective and (b) how a conflict theorist might explain why these problems exist for families.
• Share a self-reflection on how your family, or another family that you know, has confronted one or both of the problems that you have identified.

Option 3 - Symbolic Interactionism

• Identify the two societies, cultures, or times that you will be comparing, as well as which theory you will be using.
• Briefly describe how the "typical" family is defined in each of the two societies/cultures/times.
• Identify at least one characteristic of parent-child relations and/or spousal relations in each of the two societies/cultures/times.
• Explain (a) the symbolic interactionist perspective and (b) how a symbolic interactionist might explain these characteristics of interactions within families.
• Share a self-reflection on how your own family life matches or differs from the parent-child and/or spousal relations that you have identified.

Resources

• https://www.ncfr.org/ncfr-report/past-issues/summer-2014/what-family
• https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-3e/pages/1-3-theoretical-perspectives-in-sociology
• https://youtu.be/yaeiCEro0iU
• https://youtu.be/DbTt_ySTjaY
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286847370_Our_Family_Functions_Functions_of_Traditional_Weddings_for_Modern_Brides_and_Postmodern_Families
• https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2019/02/13/8-facts-about-love-and-marriage/
• https://youtu.be/N7oWM07jA0c
• https://youtu.be/Gmazdu2L64E

Note - Please cite ALL sources (APA 7). Include both in-text citations as well as a full reference list. If possible, try to only use the resources/references provided in this post and limit the use of outside sources. However, if you do need to use outside sources, please cite them and ensure they are easily accessible on the web.

Thank you so much!!