SOCY 2132 CH 13 QUIZ
Match each of the following family-related policy recommendations with the perspective that best fits it according to your textbook. 1. changing the law on marriage to include recognition of same-sex relationships 2. providing financial assistance to low income single-parents 3. providing financial assistance to low-income couples who are married 4. modifying the law on divorce so that neither spouse has to be at fault in the relationship
1. liberal 2. liberal 3. critical 4. conservative
Which of the following statements would most likely be made by a proponent of the critical perspective toward family change? A. "The traditional family form exacerbates inequality and policies that free people from family dependency should be supported." B. "The spread of no-fault divorce, non-marital cohabitation, and unmarried parenthood are problems that should be addressed with government policies that support traditional families." C. "The intact, biological, married family remains the gold standard for family life in the United States." D. "The growing variety in the types of family arrangements is neither a good thing nor a bad thing."
A. "The traditional family form exacerbates inequality and policies that free people from family dependency should be supported." FEEDBACK: Proponents of the critical perspective take a more active attitude toward family change, arguing that policies that help to free people (especially women) from the need to rely on their families promote equality and diversity.
Figure 13.6 shows the living arrangements of Americans age 65 and older in 2011. Which of the following does this figure suggest about living arrangements for elderly Americans? A. Among those 85 and older, women are much more likely to live in an institution. B. Women are less likely to live in their child's household across all ages. C. Women older than 85 are more likely to be married. D. Men are more likely to be single and live in their own house without children.
A. Among those 85 and older, women are much more likely to live in an institution. FEEDBACK: This figure shows that after age 84, women are much more likely than men to be living in an institution. Women are also more likely than men to be living in their child's household with children in all of these age groups. Finally, men are more likely to be married and living in their own household whereas women are more likely to be single and living alone.
As a measure of social diversity, the diversity index tell us which of the following? A. If we examine two people at random, it tells us the probability that they are from different groups. B. It tells us how many different categories there are for a social characteristic in a population. C. It tells us how different one social group is compared to another social group. D. It tells us the probability of randomly selecting a person from the dominant group in a population.
A. If we examine two people at random, it tells us the probability that they are from different groups. FEEDBACK: The diversity index describes the social diversity of a population using a single number. It tells us the probability that if we select two people at random, we will find individuals who are different according to the characteristic we are interested in.
Our modern identities now include an institutionalized expectation of choice in family life, that is, we have no choice about having a choice. Which of the following is a major consequence of this expected usage of choice as noted by the textbook? Chose all that apply. A. People now feel compelled to actively investigate and justify the choices they make. B. A large diversity of lifestyle choices has become available. C. A social movement has developed to express opposition to such expectations. D. A popular attitude has developed that the law should not restrict such choices.
A. People now feel compelled to actively investigate and justify the choices they make. B. A large diversity of lifestyle choices has become available. D. A popular attitude has developed that the law should not restrict such choices. FEEDBACK: One consequence of having an expected usage of choice in our modern lives is that a large variety of choices have become available. Along with this, people now tend to feel more compelled to actively investigate and justify the choices they make while also feeling that the law should not restrict those choices.
Which of the following is an example of religious identity impacting families? Chose all that apply. A. The corporal punishment of children as according to religious beliefs of conservative Christians. B. The choice a woman makes to only marry within her religious group. C. Relatives turning to religious authority for help during a funeral. D. The traditional Jewish practice of circumcision of newborn males in a synagogue.
A. The corporal punishment of children as according to religious beliefs of conservative Christians. B. The choice a woman makes to only marry within her religious group. C. Relatives turning to religious authority for help during a funeral. D. The traditional Jewish practice of circumcision of newborn males in a synagogue. FEEDBACK: The importance of religious identity in families can be seen at every stage of life including birth, marriage, parenting, and death.
Which of the following is true about multigenerational families living in extended households? Choose all that apply. A. There has been an increased number of them in the past few decades. B. Most multigenerational families today choose to live in extended households despite an economic status that would allow them to live independently. C. They are more common now than they were a century ago. D. A larger proportion of this population is now composed of adult children living with their parents.
A. There has been an increased number of them in the past few decades. D. A larger proportion of this population is now composed of adult children living with their parents. FEEDBACK: Although multigenerational families living in extended households are less common now than they were a century ago, their number has increased in the past few decades, even though most families would choose to live independently if they could afford it. Part of the increase is a result of a larger amount of adult children living with their parents.
Which of the following is an example of a policy that is based on the singular ideal perspective? A. a government-funded marriage promotion program B. the legal recognition of same-sex marriages in a state C. legal reform that makes it easier for couples to file for divorce D. a government-funded child-care program to help single mothers
A. a government-funded marriage promotion program FEEDBACK: Policies that reflect the singular ideal are those that promote stable married-couple families. Programs that promote diverse family types, such as same-sex couples, divorcing couples, and single parents, would not be promoted under the singular ideal perspective.
Unlike the singular ideal perspective, the liberal perspective A. favors a hands-off approach that does not interfere with family decisions of other people. B. supports welfare policies that help poor women, freeing them from family dependency. C. believes that the two-parent married couple with biological children is a superior family type. D. sees inherent inequality in the traditional family and actively promotes new family structures.
A. favors a hands-off approach that does not interfere with family decisions of other people. FEEDBACK: The liberal perspective favors diversity and tolerance and advocates for a "hands-off" approach that does not interfere with the family decisions of others.
Which of the following has limited the marriage options for many African-American women? Choose all that apply. A. incarceration B. exogamy C. mortality D. unemployment
A. incarceration C. mortality D. unemployment FEEDBACK: The marriage options for African-American women have been limited by joblessness, mortality and incarceration.
The term defamilialization refers to A. policies providing support to people, which in turn allow them to be free from family dependency. B. the expansion of the institution of marriage, thus providing legal recognition of same-sex couples. C. the change from male breadwinner families to double income families when women began working. D. the shift from work done in a labor market outside the home to work done in the home by the family.
A. policies providing support to people, which in turn allow them to be free from family dependency. FEEDBACK: Defamilialization refers to policies that are seen to free people from family dependency and make family relationships more voluntary.
Which of the following aspects of family life have become more diverse in the last half century? Chose all that apply. A. religious preference B. age at marriage C. racial ethnicity D. family living arrangements
A. religious preference B. age at marriage C. racial ethnicity D. family living arrangements FEEDBACK: Using diversity index measures, we find that in the last half-century, diversity has increased for age at marriage, racial ethnicity, religious preference, and living arrangements within families.
According to the textbook, what does the future of American racial and ethnic diversity depend on? Choose all that apply. A. the frequency of intermarriage between ethnic groups B. the economic and health conditions immigrants experience in the United States C. whether immigrant fertility rates begin to equalize with American ones D. the politics and policies of the government with regard to immigration
A. the frequency of intermarriage between ethnic groups B. the economic and health conditions immigrants experience in the United States C. whether immigrant fertility rates begin to equalize with American ones D. the politics and policies of the government with regard to immigration FEEDBACK: The future of American racial and ethnic diversity depends on several factors. It depends in part on the policies and policies of the government in regard to immigration policy,  the future fertility rates of immigrants, and the economic and health conditions immigrants experience in the United States.
Figure 13.7 shows attitudes regarding growing family diversity in 2010. Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the figure? A. There is no major difference in most of the categories except for religious service attendance, where those who attend more religious services are more likely to see family diversity as a "bad thing." B. People over 55, those who attend religious services more often, and people that identify as Republicans are more likely to view family diversity as a "bad thing." C. Younger people, independents, and those who attend religious services more often are all more likely to view family diversity as a "good thing." D. People who attend religious services less often, those who are older than 55, and those who identify as Democrats are more likely to view family diversity as a "bad thing."
B. People over 55, those who attend religious services more often, and people that identify as Republicans are more likely to view family diversity as a "bad thing." FEEDBACK: People who are older, more frequently attend religious services, and identify as Republicans are more likely to see growing family diversity as a "bad thing." This is in contrast to people who are younger, attend religious services less often or never, and identify as Democrats or Independents. These people are more likely to view increasing family diversity as a "good thing" or as making "no difference."
The textbook lists which of the following as consequences in a society that has experienced a change in age structure due to a demographic transition? Chose all that apply. A. There will eventually be later increase in the number of births. B. Society will start to invest more in each child. C. Society will have surplus resources and can begin to reduce income inequality. D. There will eventually be an increase in the number of elderly people.
B. Society will start to invest more in each child. D. There will eventually be an increase in the number of elderly people. FEEDBACK: The first major consequence of a demographic transition in a society is that the society will begin to invest more in each child since fewer children will be born. The second major consequence is that there will be an increase in the number of elderly people who live longer due to medical advancements.
The singular ideal position referred to in the textbook promotes __________. A. conflict B. conformity C. indifference D. diversity
B. conformity FEEDBACK: The singular ideal position refers to the perspective that change is bad, which is generally held by conservatives who feel that married opposite-sex couples with their own biological children are the ideal family type to which everyone should strive. This position goes against diversity and instead promotes its opposite: conformity.
Which of the following are trends identified by the textbook that will help us confront the challenge of needing a larger workforce to support the increasing elderly population? Chose all that apply. A. an increase in the savings rate of young adults B. longer life expectancies so people work longer C. the rising labor force participation of women D. a higher birth rate to provide new workers
B. longer life expectancies so people work longer C. the rising labor force participation of women FEEDBACK: Two trends identified in the textbook will help the United States with the challenge of needing a larger workforce to support an increasing elderly population. The first is the rising labor force participation of women that has brought new workers to the labor market; the other is longer life expectancies for workers, which in turn mean additional working years for many workers.
In regard to social mobility, what do the latest trends suggest about the social class of children currently in the United States compared to other nations? A. Compared to children in other advanced democratic countries, they are more likely to end up in a lower social class position than their parents. B. Compared to children in other advanced democratic countries, they have about the same likelihood of ending up in a higher social class position than their parents. C. Compared to children in other advanced democratic countries, they are more likely to end up in the same social class position. D. Compared to children in other advanced democratic countries, they are more likely to end up in a higher social class position than their parents.
C. Compared to children in other advanced democratic countries, they are more likely to end up in the same social class position. FEEDBACK: As the level of economic inequality has increased the prospects for children's social mobility have gone down. Compared to children in other advanced democratic countries, children in the United States today are more likely to end up in the same social class position as their parents.
Maria is a 65-year-old woman who lives with and takes care of her two grandchildren. Given the current trends noted in the textbook regarding these types of families, which of the following is most likely a characteristic of their family? A. They are a wealthy family. B. They are a middle-class family. C. Maria is caring for her grandchildren out of a sense of family loyalty. D. Maria is caring for her grandchildren because of a legal obligation.
C. Maria is caring for her grandchildren out of a sense of family loyalty. FEEDBACK: Although there are some wealthy grandparents that live with and take care of their grandchildren, the majority of these families are low income. Research also suggests that despite the financial difficulties, these grandparents still tend to willingly take care of their grandchildren due to a sense of family loyalty.
What trends have been noted in the past several decades with regards to religious diversity in the United States? A. The United States became less religiously diverse due to higher rates of immigration from Latin America, which increased the size of the dominant Christian group. B. The United States became less religiously diverse due to larger groups growing while many of the smaller groups decreased in size. C. The United States became more religiously diverse due to many smaller groups growing while the two dominant groups shrank. D. The United States became more religiously diverse due to a decrease in the number of people identifying as having no religion.
C. The United States became more religiously diverse due to many smaller groups growing while the two dominant groups shrank. FEEDBACK: The United States has become more religiously diverse in the past several decades due to smaller groups increasing in size (as a result of immigration from countries where those religions are popular) and the decrease in size of the two dominant groups, Catholic and Protestant.
Which of the following statements is true regarding family types and income since the 1970s in the United States? A. There are fewer families with two high earners and more families with one low earner, which has caused an overall downward trend in average family income. B. There are fewer families with two high earners and more families with one low earner, which has caused an overall downward trend in average family income. C. There are more families with two high earners and more families with one low earner, and this has created a large income gap between family types. D. There are more families with two low earners and fewer families with two high earners, and this has created a large income gap within family types.
C. There are more families with two high earners and more families with one low earner, and this has created a large income gap between family types. FEEDBACK: Since the 1970s there has been an increase in the number of two high earners and an increase in the number of families with one low earner. These trends have resulted in a large income gap between these two family types.
According to the textbook, which of the following are important factors in explaining the decline in the amount of inequality within-family over the past 50 years? A. Men have seen wage increases and women have increased their income by working more. B. Women have had a wage reduction while men have had no real increase in wages. C. Both women and men have seen wage reductions but women increased their income by working more. D. Women have increased the amount of income they earn and men have had no real wage increases.
D. Women have increased the amount of income they earn and men have had no real wage increases. FEEDBACK: Inequality within families is lower now than it was half a century ago, mostly because women have increased the amount of income they earn (by spending more hours in the labor force and gaining higher wages) and men have had no real wage increases.
The historical change from a society with low life expectancy and high birth rates to one with high life expectancy and low birth rates is referred to as A. a fertility shrinkage. B. a depopulation. C. a baby boom. D. demographic transition.
D. demographic transition. FEEDBACK: Demographic transition is a term that refers to the historical change from a society with low life expectancy and high birth rates to one with high life expectancy and low birth rates.
