Topic: Marriage and Family: Suggested Topics

Before you can start your research, you must focus on one aspect of the larger topic of marriage and family. Ask yourself these questions:

• What do I want to know about marriage?
• What do I want to know about family?
• What is an argument that I'd like to present to my professor and class?

Here are some suggestions for narrowing this broad topic:

• Marriage:
  • Do couples marry for love, to procreate, or for another reason?
  • What is the history of arranged marriages or what are the current practices of arranged marriages?
  • Do prenuptial agreements work?
  • What effects does divorce have on the couple, their children, etc.?
  • Should same-sex couples be allowed the same marital rights as heterosexual couples?
  • How does the new trend of "cohabiting" change the institution of marriage?
  • Do women in abusive relationships stay married to the abuser?
• Family
  • Should mothers work outside the home or care for their children?
  • How have family values evolved throughout history?
  • What are the issues involved with single parents?
  • Should same-sex couples be allowed to adopt children?
  • What is the place of the elderly within the family? Should they live with their families or reside in an assisted living facility?
  • How does child abuse affect those children psychologically? What happens to children if they see their mothers or fathers being abused?
  • How are household chores handled by males vs females?