In this unit, you have read various essays that look at the establishment, the maintenance, and the
myth of the American family. It is obvious that culture, tradition, religion, and other socially
created paradigms have greatly influenced what we consider to be the “model family” (even the
media has had a part in the creation and perpetuation of this myth). The assigned essays offer
diverse contemporary perspectives on the meaning of family and its relation to our broader
culture: is the family a blessing to be cherished or is it an ordeal to be survived?
For this essay, you will pull ideas from the 11 assigned readings from Rereading America
and the handouts given to you to help you evaluate the relative importance of family in 21st
Century America. What is the purpose of family? What makes up a family? Should the
definition of a family evolve?
QUESTION: What should the definition of a family be and why? Can a single definition
encompass all facets of reality? What is the role of a family and should the definition of the
family and role be rooted in any one religious or cultural tradition? What are some of the
benefits and/or disadvantages to the arguments/scenarios presented by the authors of these
essays? Really, should there even be one monolithic definition in the first place? If not, then
how do we navigate all of these models of family in our society?
As you do some prewriting in search of a topic and thesis, weigh the value of family in your own
life (transmission of cultural traditions, socialization, moral support, conflict, etc.) and the
evidence that it does or does not determine one’s life path. You may decide that family both
does and does not matter, which is perfectly acceptable. Even so, craft an argument that
advances a specific thesis. Consider, for example, whether older concepts (or myths) of family
are on the decline and newer ones are on the rise, or vice versa. Consider whether family can or
cannot matter for the same person in different contexts, or for different people in the same
context. Consider whether the question has a different answer depending on your race, age,
gender, or even sexual orientation. Consider your experiences and the experiences of the authors
we have read. You may use your own personal experience as another source of evidence if
you wish, although try to avoid using the pronouns “I,” “my,” “you,” and “we.”
I have given you a general topic where you can go in any number of directions. Be sure to begin
by prewriting, focusing your topic, and developing a provisional thesis and plan. Once you have
begun writing, develop your thesis and support your argument with topic sentences and
evidence-laden paragraphs (this means: give a lot of details and explanation so that the reader
does not have to guess at what you mean). As you revise your first draft, check your essay for
unity, detail, and coherence. And don’t forget to proofread!
I expect to see some of the reading materials pulled into your paper as support for your own
arguments. There is no way you can make use of all of them.
Your paper should be at least 4 FULL pages, spilling over to a 5th page.
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