Challenges for Families Research Project

Family Living 621                                                                                                                 Research Project and Presentation

Solutions for Challenges of Family Life

Families are the basic foundation of our complex and diverse societies. The family unit is interconnected with the fabric of our society, and it is the means in which we pass on our culture. Our individual well-being is very much related to the strength of our family life, as families are the basis from which we are socialized and educated. Social institutions, including government and non-government agencies aid families who struggle with the many challenges of family life. Healthy families are important to our government, but to society as a whole.

Your task for this project is to choose a particular topic that is related to families, and examine how that topic presents challenges for families. Examine the topic from multiple research sources and methods (articles, websites, statistics, surveys, books, interviews, videos, etc.).  A minimum of five sources must be used for this project.

Include the following in your research project:

Part A) Researching the Issue

·         Describe the family life topic, the associated challenges, and the prevalence of this challenge in society

o    What is it, who is involved, where is it happening most, and what are the trends over time?

o    Analyze how this topic leads to challenges for families

§  This section should include the use of at least five statistics

Part B) Suggesting Solutions for these Challenges

·         Evaluate current examples of societal actions taken to address the challenges with this topic. Explain to what extent those actions are useful, and make recommendations on how they  could they be improved.

·         Propose how the challenges of this topic could be improved through specific actions by the government (consider laws, policies, public education, etc.)

·         Suggest ways that individuals could help to decrease the challenges associated with this topic.

Part C) Making connections to a case study

·         Read a relevant fiction or non-fiction book, watch a relevant feature film or documentary, or interview a relevant person of your choice

o    Describe how your case study relates to the presentation topic

o    Describe how the person/people in your case study demonstrates the challenges associated with this topic

o    Explain what you can learn on this topic by examining this case study

Part D) Creating Journal Prompt

·         For each presentation, a journal response will be required from the peer audience. Create a journal prompt for your group presentation (1-2 questions), that your peers will answer at the end of your presentation.