1. Discuss the ways in which social class can be observed in your home town. What stereotypes did you observe as a young child of various sections in your community? How did you acquire these stereotypes? Did you spend much time in other sections of your town or community. Why or why not?
2. What is "anticipatory socialization?" How has this process influenced you? How is America influenced by the process of "anticipatory socialization?"
3. How fair is the "fair play" in America? Are you at St. Olaf due to the fair game in America?
4. No one ever said life was going to be fair. Or did they? A positive correlation exists between SAT scores and one's family income. Apply Marx's discussion of class to this situation.
5. Do you feel that there should be a more equitable distribution of goods and services in the United States? Why or why not? Discuss ways to achieve a more equal distribution of goods in our society.
6. Who gets the most welfare in the United States? Who presently benefits the most for our "fair share" system?
7. How and why does poverty perpetuate itself?
8. Discuss: "When a college student for a middle-class family takes a job in a factory, he or she becomes a member of the working class."
9. What are the potential negative consequences of social mobility on family relationships, marriages, and individual well-being? Why are many consequences of upward social mobility disruptive to kin and community ties?

Go back to SOCIOLOGY 260 -- Sociology of Marriage and the Family Discussion Questions Page

If you have any questions or comments please email:

leming@stolaf.edu

Disclaimer