Question 1: In the News: The Picture-Perfect American Family?
This newspaper article takes us back to the Democratic and Republican presidential nominating conventions of 2008. That year, the candidates for President and Vice President, for the first time and in both parties, exemplified numerous departures from the "picture-perfect," stereotype of the traditional American family.
Based on what we are studying this month, what traditional norms were broken? why do you think these four families were welcomed so warmly and without any noticeable disapproval?
Do you think it was easier (or more difficult) for these high status families to be accepted than it was (or is) for ordinary Americans? Why? This is a good question to bring in ideas from other readings in the class.
Question 2: Race and Class in Childrearing
Lareau's article adds the consideration of race to the discussion on social class aspects of parenting and family life.
She and her research assistants conducted lengthy, intensive participant observation studies with six African-American families and six white families.
What did they find regarding class differences? regarding race differences? Did anything surprise you in this reading?