Exam 1

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6 questions will be assigned randomly from the following set questions on Monday, October 1. You will be responsible for answering 5 of them. Your answers should be both exhaustive and precise. They should demonstrate everything that you could reasonably know (based on the information in the text and the information from the lectures) about the question being posed. You should not, however, include extraneous information that is unrelated to the central point of the question. Extraneous information can only count against you. The necessary length of each question will vary by question. Some will require much shorter responses and some will require much more comprehensive responses.

1. Discuss the arguments presented in class for the pros and cons of same-sex marriage. Make sure that you discuss what research says about differences in child outcomes from same-sex and heterosexual relationships.
ARGUMENTS FOR SAME SEX MARRIAGE: * Equal human rights * Provides stability for the children * Strengthens marriage
ARGUMENTS AGAINST SAME SEX MARRIAGE * Redefinition of marriage, potential unknown consequences of transformation, a social institution * Natural law – the notion that law and policies should reflect inherent characteristics of human behavior * Religious freedom * Destruction of gay culture: has to be formed outside of marriage and imposing marriage would destroy that culture * Two parents families are “better” for kids, emotional support from both

2. Name and describe the associated legislative and judicial actions described in class relating to same-sex marriage and give a quick overview of the current legal status of same-sex marriage in the United States.
Baehr vs Lewin(1993) * The first case to state it is illegal to discriminate against same sex couples (Hawaii) changed to state constitution
Defense of marriage act (1996) * Defines for federal purposes, marriage between a man and a woman * Allows states to not recognize same sex marriages performed by other states
Baker vs Vermont (1999) * Court case requiring civil unions in Vermont
Lawrence vs Texas (2003) * United States supreme court striking down sodomy laws
Good Ridger vs department of public health * Massachusetts supreme court requiring marriage for same sex couples Marriage Equality Act (HOW IT IS NOW NEW YORK 2011) * Legislative decision to grant same sex marriage 3. Discuss the biological basis of sexual orientation, including the logic of the twin studies presented, the specific numbers associated with them, and the take-home message regarding the biological basis of sexual orientation. * Behavior generic analyses indicates that homosexuality stems from both nature and nurture * Concordance for MZ twins – 52% (identical) * Concordance for DZ twins – 22% (fraternal) * Plasticity- possibility of being changed by experience or setting men who are in prison (end up being gay) * IDENTICAL TWINS IF ONES GAY THE OTHER IS MOST LIKELY GAY * Concordance- likelihood that one twin will have a trait if the other one does too

4. Describe the basic premise of systems theory, including naming all of the relevant systems. Use your own background in your family (and other contexts) to describe how family functioning is affected via each of the levels. * System theory- the systems in which individuals interact are embedded with a broader societal context * Interactions within systems are determined by the interrelationships of all members of the system and their systems (FAMILY IS A SYSTEM) * Microsystem: systems that an individual interacts directly with * Mesosystem: interactions between microsystems: parent teacher conferences * Exosystem: systems that do not directly interact with an individual but that impact an individual by