"Sociology"

1. How have Japanese families changed?

More women in Japan are beginning to attain higher levels of education and entering the labor force. As a result, Japan faces an increased need for day cares and cohabitation is becoming more common.

2. Why is getting a divorce in the U.S. much easier than getting divorced in Europe?

It is easier to get divorced in the U.S. because women can now legally file for divorce. Another reason is that divorce is becoming more and more acceptable in our society.

3. What are the weaknesses and strenths of Popenoe's erosion of the family idea?

Popenoe believes the key strengths of families are cohesion, the performance of familial functions, and the power the family has over other social institutions. Some weaknesses are that mandatory education has eliminated parents' reponsibility of educating their children and also that families are becoming smaller and less cohesive.

4. In your opinion should the Supreme Court of the United State have struck down DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) and allow same-gender marriage be legal at the federal level in the United States?

Yes, I believe that marriage is a right that every citizen should have. As long as it is between two human beings, the other details do not matter. Also, one of our inalienable rights is the pursuit of hapiness which marriage brings to us, sometimes.

5. What is meant by the term "traditional" family?

When people think of the traditional family, they think of the idealized nuclear family. This is a family that consists of a working father, stay-at-home mom, and children.