Theoretical Perspectives on Education
Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you should be able to: Define manifest and latent functions of education Explain and discuss how functionalism, conflict theory, feminism, and interactionism view issues of education While it is clear that education plays an integral role in individuals’ lives as well as society as a whole, sociologists […]
Education around the World
Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you should be able to: Identify differences in educational resources around the world Describe the concept of universal access to education Figure 16.3 These students in Cambodia have a relatively informal classroom setting. Other schools, both nearby and around the world, have very different environments and practices. (Credit: Nguyen […]
Religion in the United States
Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you should be able to: Give examples of religion as an agent of social change Describe current U.S. trends including megachurches, stances on LGBTQ rights, and religious identification. Figure 15.11 Religion and religious observance play a key role in every life stage, deepening its emotional and cognitive connections. Many […]
World Religions
Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you should be able to: Explain the differences between various types of religious organizations Classify religion, like animism, polytheism, monotheism, and atheism Describe several major world religions Figure 15.6 Cultural traditions may emerge from religious traditions, or may influence them. People from the same branch of Christianity may celebrate […]
The Sociological Approach to Religion
Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you should be able to: Discuss the historical view of religion from a sociological perspective Describe how the major sociological paradigms view religion Figure 15.2 Universality of religious practice, such as these prayers at the The Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, can create bonds among people who would otherwise be […]
Challenges Families Face
Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you should be able to: Describe the social and interpersonal impact of divorce Describe the social and interpersonal impact of family abuse As the structure of family changes over time, so do the challenges families face. Events like divorce and remarriage present new difficulties for families and […]
Variations in Family Life
Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you should be able to: Recognize variations in family life Explain the prevalence and unique characteristics of single parents, blended families, foster care, cohabitation, same-sex couples, and unmarried individuals Discuss the social impact of changing family structures The combination of husband, wife, and children that 99.8 percent […]
What Is Marriage? What Is a Family?
Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you should be able to: Describe society’s current understanding of family Recognize changes in marriage and family patterns Differentiate between lines of descent and residence Figure 14.2 If you asked a small child who is in their family, their response might depend more on their living arrangements than on […]
Theoretical Perspectives on Aging
Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you should be able to: Compare and contrast sociological theoretical perspectives on aging What roles do individual senior citizens play in your life? How do you relate to and interact with older people? What role do they play in neighborhoods and communities, in cities and in states? […]
Challenges Facing the Elderly
Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you should be able to: Interpret the historical and current trends of poverty among elderly populations Recognize ageist thinking and ageist attitudes in individuals and institutions Identify risks factors and outcomes regarding mistreatment and abuse of elderly individuals Aging comes with many challenges. The loss of independence […]
