Select a movie, TV/streaming series (one or two episodes), novel, short story, or memoir* and analyze
how it reflects ONE of these topics:
• Chapter 4 – Analyze how information on the decline of dating and rise of hookup culture (pp. 70 –
74 in Sociology of Families) is reflected in the movie, TV show, novel, short story, or memoir. Include at
least two trends or concepts.
• Chapter 5 – Analyze how information on contemporary coupling (pp. 84 – 94 in Sociology of
Families) relates to a couple (or couples) in the movie, TV/streaming series, novel, short story, or
memoir. Include at least two trends or concepts related to one or two of these areas – cohabitation,
non-marital fertility, same sex marriage, or marriage markets.
• Chapter 6 – Analyze how information on the process of uncoupling (pp. 113 – 119 in Sociology of
Families) applies to a couple (or couples) in the movie, TV/streaming series, novel, short story, or
memoir. Include at least two aspects of the process in the paper – legal, parental, financial, or emotional
and social.
• Chapter 8 – Analyze how information on contemporary parenting (pp. 156 – 167 in Sociology of
Families) is reflected in the movie, TV/streaming series, novel, short story, or memoir. Include at least
two trends or concepts related to one or two of these areas – time with children, parenting as a
gendered practice, parenting ideology and social class, immigrant and transnational parenting, or LGBTQ parenting
The following movies, television shows, and novels CANNOT be used. If you use one of these sources
12 points will be deducted from your score. Also, you CANNOT use a documentary, but you can use a
reality TV series like The Real Housewives, Selling Sunset, Big Brother, etc.
A Walk to Remember Kramer v. Kramer The Fosters
American Son Life As We Know It The Help
Diary of a Mad Black Woman Mrs. Doubtfire The Notebook
Desperate Housewives No Strings Attached The Secret Life the American
Dirty Dancing Parent Trap Teenager
Friends with Benefits Parenthood The Story of Us
Gilmore Girls Shameless Titanic
Gone with the Wind Stepmom Why Did I Get Married?
Grease Teen Mom Why Did I Get Married Too?
I Love Lucy The Blind Side Yours, Mine, and Ours