L1 Lang: Social Norms for Apr. 2

Remember that your written homework is due this week in class.

For this week we will be discussing the different ways common social conventions influence the way we think and act. We began a similar discussion at times last week talking about the way the American Dream and the do-it-yourself philosophy influence some American's attitudes towards a national health care plan. This coming week we will begin by talking about the socially conventional idea of a nuclear family. To prepare this discussion, please listen to the following report from the BBC and answer the questions. For those interested in reading more about the way social convention influences the way we think and act, Michel Foucault's Histoire de la sexualité and his Surveiller et punir are great, though a bit sloppy on the level of historical documentation.

BBC on the Nuclear Family

1. Define "nuclear family" either based on the report or by consulting a dictionary.
2. How much longer will the nuclear family last in England according to Katherine Rake's report?
3. Conserving the traditional family system through the tax system would be a ___________ according to Ms. Rake's report.
4. According to the host, what is the typical conservative response to Ms. Rake's report?
5. What are the two points that Ms. Rake makes about "stable loving relationships?"
6. What are the European trends about cohabitation and marriage that Ms. Rake mentions?
7. According to Ms. Rake, tax breaks to support families have no ________________ impact on family stability.
8. "We want to give families support ____________ _______________ ________."
9. What are the positive trends in family life that Ms. Rake mentions near the end of the report?
10. Describe the tone between the interviewer and Ms. Rake.