9780137997275

This brief, inexpensive paperback provides a series of quality readings on 8 major issues--arranged in pro/con format-- regarding sociological aspects of marriage and the family. It helps readers explore the many aspects of each issue and challenges them to think critically through all sides of an issue. An opening narrative of each controversy and closing summary keep readers focused on key points throughout each debate. Lists readings and internet sites for further research.Is Single Parenthood Threatening the Family? Should Gay Marriages Be Permitted? Is Marriage Good For You? Is Today's High Divorce Rate a Problem for Society? Are Working Parents Neglecting their children? Is Domestic Violence Common? Should Surrogate Mothering Be Discouraged? Are Stepfamilies Destined For Trouble?Anyone interested in contemporary sociological issues concerning marriage and the family.

TERM	PRICE	DUE
SEMESTER	$14.73	Aug 02
QUARTER	$14.00	Jul 19
SHORT TERM	$13.26	Jun 21

Preface

ix

About the Contributors

xi

Is the American Family in Trouble?

1

(16)

Yes

The Family Values Debate

3

(6)

James Q. Wilson

No

The American Family and the Nostalgia Trap

9

(8)

Stephanie Coontz

Has Fatherhood Been Devalued?

17

(16)

Yes

A World without Fathers

19

(6)

David Popenoe

No

Deconstructing the Essential Father

25

(8)

Louise B. Silverstein

Carl F. Auerbach

Is the Widespread Use of Day Care Harming Our Children?

33

(16)

Yes

Day Careless

35

(6)

Maggie Gallagher

No

Child Care: An Educational Perspective

41

(8)

Kristin Droege

Is Today's High Divorce Rate a Problem for Society?

49

(19)

Yes

Divorce American Style

51

(8)

William A. Galston

No

Love, American Style: What the Alarmists about Divorce Don't Get about Idealism in America

59

(9)

Margaret Talbot

Should Limits Be Placed on the Use of Reproductive Technology?

68

(14)

Yes

The Clone Age: Adventures in the New Age of Reproductive Technology

70

(5)

Lori B. Andrews

No

Human in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction

75

(7)

Karen Wright

Sarah Richardson

Have We Exaggerated the Extent of Domestic Violence?

82

(16)

Yes

Domestic Violations

84

(6)

Cathy Young

No

Measuring the Cost of Domestic Violence against Women

90

(8)

Diana Zuckerman

Stacey Friedman

Are Stepfamilies Destined for Trouble?

98

(18)

Yes

Stepfamilies in the United States: A Reconsideration

100

(7)

Andrew J. Cherlin

Frank F. Furstenberg Jr.

No

Lessons from Stepfamilies

107

(9)

Virginia Rutter

Should Same-Sex Marriage Be Permitted?

116

(7)

Yes

Virtually Normal: An Argument about Homosexuality

118

(5)

Andrew Sullivan

No

Against Homosexual Marriage

123

James Q. Wilson

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

PrefaceThe Debating Points: Contemporary Social Issuesseries can be used to teach critical thinking, encourage student participation, and stimulate class discussion. Each book in this series is designed to provide readers with well-developed, carefully considered, and clearly written opposing viewpoints on a wide range of issues. A guiding principle in the selection of the issues for allDebating Pointsbooks is that they be easily understood and relevant to the backgrounds and interests of the students. Each issue within each book is self-contained and may be assigned according to the individual instructor's preferences or the dictates of classroom time.The debate format used in each book in theDebating Pointsseries helps students to understand the significance of the principles, concepts, and theories they are learning in class. It encourages students to apply critical thinking techniques to the opinions and statements that they see and hear around them. Students will see that some issues do not have "right" or "wrong" answers, and that it is important to grasp the different points of view in order to gain a fuller understanding of the issue. The purpose of the debate format is to stimulate interest in the subject matter and to encourage the application of concepts and ideas. The "yes" and "no" essays have been selected to reflect a variety of ideological viewpoints and have been edited to present the views in a concise and interesting manner. The authors of the essay selections have been chosen because they are creditable scholars or commentators who are respected in their fields.In this second volume in theDebating Pointsseries--Debating Points: Marriage and Family Issues--each issue begins with an introduction, which sets the stage for the debate by putting the issue into the context of a larger social science discussion and providing a brief description of the articles. Each debate concludes with a list of websites that students can research for further information on the issue. The websites have been chosen to reflect the diversity of views presented in the readings. With the advent of new communication technologies and with growing awareness of the World Wide Web, students are being exposed more frequently to differing viewpoints and sometimes to questionable information. In order to process this information effectively, students are going to have to rely on their critical thinking skills. Combining the issue articles with corresponding websites allows students to continue to explore the issues for a fuller understanding.Many instructors have recognized the importance of applying material that has been discussed in the classroom. TheDebating Pointsseries is an excellent tool for encouraging students to critically evaluate the utility of various theoretical perspectives. The push is on for educators to help students strengthen their critical thinking skills. The books in theDebating Pointsseries are excellent tools for teaching critical thinking in that they expose students to a variety of viewpoints and to strongly argued positions related to their field of study. Henry L. Tischler Series Editor

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Debating Points Marriage and Family Issues

Debating Points Marriage and Family Issues

0137997272

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Excerpts

Write a Review