SOC 111: Introduction to Sociology:
Social Institution Paper #1 – (Family)
Class
Assignment Directions: To start out for this assignment you will need to write a 3-5-
page paper related to the social institution of “Family” with a focus on family related
issues. Topics to choose from include adoption, step-families, grandparents as parents,
alternative families (gay/lesbian etc.), and/or abuse/neglect.
Next, you will need to locate at least three professional journal articles (in the
li
ary/Google scholar), and books (please do not use the textbook or course packet),
and/or the internet that is related to the chosen “Family” topic of interest to complete the
assignment successfully.
Following the format and organization below, write a 3-5-page paper (not including your
title
eference pages) discussing your social institution research topic. ** (This section of
the paper will be worth a maximum of 45 points)
• Problem Statement - in this section you will discuss what the topic is and its
significance to society.
• Literature Review/Discussion - in this section you will discuss at least three articles
(professional journals) related to the topic as well as discuss the topic in detail.
• Theory - in this section you will identify and apply at least one of the three
sociological theories discussed in the lectures and/or in our text (Functionalism,
Conflict, or Interactionism theory) to the social issue you selected.
• Conclusion – in this section you will discuss your opinion regarding the issues
elated to the topic. Additionally, you will provide an opinion and review of the
articles that you selected for the topic including whether you agree or disagree with
each of their conclusions.
• References - Include all references on a separate page.
Required Format: The paper should include a title page, be typed with 1” margins, 12
pt. font and must be double-spaced. Anything you use that is not your original work
must be referenced, both in the paper and in a reference/work-sited page (APA
Format).
It is also important that you make sure that your paper includes and uses the following
equired headings as an outline for the required information for the assignment: ** (This
section of the paper will be worth a maximum of 5 points)
Problem Statement
Literature Review/Discussion
Theory
Conclusion
References
Format for the Reference Page: ** (This section of the paper will be worth a maximum
of 5 points). Please use the example format for references provided below.
Example (in-text citations only):
Author’s last name, First Initial, (Year).
Example (reference page only):
Author’s last name, author’s first name. (Year). “Title of the article
quotation marks. Title of the journal underlined. Volume number: pages.
Note: Please be sure to follow the directions carefully; points will be deducted if you do
not. These assignments are to help you understand the concept of research while
increasing your knowledge of Sociology and the social institution topic you have
chosen.
The social institution assignment is worth a maximum of 50 points and will be due at
11:59 pm (end of the day) on the due date outlined in the syllabus. After the cut-off time
of 11:59 pm the assignment link will close preventing submission of your assignment.
Please do not wait until the last possible minute to submit your paper. Late papers will
not be accepted, no exceptions (please check your syllabus).
The social institution assignment must be submitted via Blackboard by clicking the
assignment section, then selecting the social institution paper #1 link and then attach
your paper (do not cut and paste).
Submitting your paper on time and through Blackboard is the only way that your
assignment will be accepted and receive a grade. It is also important that you
understand that I will not accept emailed submissions of your assignment or hard
copies of your paper.
*Remember all assignments must be submitted in Word.
Social Institution Paper #1 – (Family) Grading Ru
ic
Assignment Ru
ic for Grading: Below is the grading ru
ic for this assignment.
Please follow the assignment directions as well as use the grading ru
ic to complete
your assignment.
Please follow the ru
ic and assignment directions to successfully complete the
assignment. Each section is worth a specified point total. Your paper will be graded
according to the grading ru
ic.
Grading Ru
ic Part 1: The paper is at least 3- 5 pages in length, typed and double-
spaced. The paper follows APA guidelines including a title, headings, and reference
page with at least 3 references as well as provides in-text citations (5 points). Please
note that if one or more of these requirements are missing you will be deducted the full -
5 points.
Grading Ru
ic Part 2: The paper must provide the required information in full detail
and follow the required assignment directions and format: (45 points total).
• Problem Statement - The paper provides a problem statement discussing an
issue related to the Family and its significance to society (10 points)
• Literature Review/Discussion - The paper provides a literature
eview/discussion section discussing three articles related to the issue discussed
in the problem statement and
iefly discusses the topic (15 points)
• Theory - The paper provides a theory section that identifies and applies one of
the three major sociological theories to the issue selected (10 points)
• Conclusion - The paper provides a conclusion section that discusses your opinion
egarding the issues related to the topic, provides an opinion and review of the
articles you selected for the topic including whether you agree or disagree with
each of their conclusions (10 points)
**Please note that 5 points will be automatically deducted if the paper does not follow
the assignment formatting requirements such as providing title
eference pages, page
length, and the quality of your paper including organization, formatting and following
APA guidelines including headings and in-text citations.
Feedback will be provided via Blackboard.
Running Head: Grandparents as Parents
Example: Do Not Cut/Paste
The Roles and Influences of Grandparents as Parents
[Student Name]
Wichita State University
[Date]
Grandparents as Parents
2
Problem Statement
In the journal, “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren,” the grandparents have taken in
their grandchildren. There are reasons for parents not to care for their children anymore, such as
incarceration, death, mental illnesses, substance abuse, neglect, and child abuse (Grinstead,
Leder, To
es, XXXXXXXXXXAccording to the article in the NCBI, single parents have relied on
extended family to care for their children while they are working, but most commonly,
grandparents have become guardians (Baker, Putney, Silverstein, XXXXXXXXXXGrandparents are
usually the number one choice. This is because, parents will be able to trust with regards in
taking care of their own children. Parents can also travel a lot due to the careers they may
choose, so then grandparents take responsibility for other things. Such as, taking the kids to
school, outside activities or sports they may be in, and etc. Another situation that has been a
major impact has been substance abuse, according to American Society on Aging, oftentimes
grandparents have had to take in their grandchildren because their own children have developed
a drug addiction (Lent, Otto, XXXXXXXXXXMost times, parents can become aggressive when they begin
to take drugs and alcohol, causing their children to leave their homes and become custody of the
grandparents. Another problem is teen pregnancy, the grandparents have been forced to take in
their grandchildren because parents would not let them in the house (Baker, Putney, Silverstein,
2010).
Literature Reviews/Discussion
In Baker, Putney, and Silverstein's article, the rate of grandparents taking care of
grandchildren has doubled, about 2.2 million in 1970 and about 3.9 million in 1997 (Baker,
Putney, Silverstein, XXXXXXXXXXIt has significantly grown over the past years, due to the increase of
divorce rates. Grandparent households have had single parents and their children, or just their
Grandparents as Parents
3
own grandchildren. In some cases, parents had to move in with their parents because they could
not afford living on their own and still be able to support their kids in their education. These
parents have had to work more than one job. Single mothers have had a lower paying job than
men, and most times, women have had a difficult time raising their children on their own. There
has been a significant increase mostly in the Hispanic and African-American community (Baker,
Putney, Silverstein, XXXXXXXXXXIn most cases, grandparents have had to take care of their
grandchildren because parents would not be able to take care of their own kids any longer. In
some situations, parents have kicked out their children due to teen pregnancy. The children get
support from their grandparents throughout their whole pregnancy and after the pregnancy; the
grandparents then help their grandchildren to either finish their schooling while they help them
take care of their children. There have been times where parents have been deceased and
commonly the grandparents have become the children’s guardian; but other times it has been
others in your extended family.
Some parents could not be able to take