Home and Family Essays

Chapter 1 "Family Portraits" Christy Stanford

The Family

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6. What do the statements of Michelle, Glenn and Donna reveal about the differences between the ideal vision of marriage and the reality of marriage? What expectations were unrealistic?

Michelle, Glenn and Donna's ideal visions of marriage as easy and always "happy" are very different from the true realities. They explain that the grass isn't always greener on the other side; there are just different problems and issues. When it appears that someone else has the "perfect marriage,' there is a lot more going on behind the scenes. Marriage is something that needs to always be worked at, and you have to be willing to put in a lot of time and energy to work things out as a team. The expectations that marriage would be smooth sailing all the time were very unrealistic. It is not possible to get along with your spouse all the time; there are always going to be some hard times. Just because you get married, it doesn't meant that all your problems just magically go away. Marriage is a lot harder than Michelle, Glenn and Donna thought it would be. There is a lot more work involved that they hadn't planned for.

Chapter 2 "The Seasons of Life" Christy Stanford

The Family

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2. Both Anita and John wanted to wait to get married. What were each of their reasons for the delay? Is marriage a "rite of passage" to adulthood and how does it apply to Anita and John?

Chapter 3 "When I Grow Up" Christy Stanford

The Family

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1. What are some of the differences between the roles of men and women described in terms of "gender roles"? How do these roles shape one's self-perception? Note the testimony of the children in your response.

Chapter 4 "Adam's Equal or Adam's Rib" Christy Stanford

The Family

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3. How do the toys and activities of children lead to self-perceptions in terms of career opportunities in general? Consider the commentary of Irene Cruz in your response.

Chapter 5 "Learning to Love" Christy Stanford

The Family

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3. How does "first love," usually experienced by adolescents and young adults, differ from more mature love? Describe the roles of self-esteem and self-awareness in "first love" and in all relationships.

Chapter 6 "The Pleasure Bond" Christy Stanford

The Family

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3. The 1960s produced an environment encouraging sexual experimentation and multiple partners. People with a variety of sexual preferences were free to express their sexuality. What is "coming out of the closet"? Based on the numerous testimony of homosexuals and lesbians in the video, is this a traumatic experience? Why? What did the 1960s do for the homosexual community? Consider that it was not until 1973 that being gay was no longer listed as a psychological disorder.

Chapter 7 "Epidemic Proportions" Christy Stanford

The Family

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5. How has AIDS brought the gay community together? In many areas of the country, AIDS has mobilized non-gay Americans in the fight against the virus. Why did Ruth and Bonnie