Specifics:
This assignment is worth 20% of your course grade.
The length of the paper should be at least 4 full pages, double-spaced. (Students are free to write
longer papers if they wish.)
Use a 12 pt font like Times New Roman or Courier.
Students will be marked on grammar and punctuation as well as content. (If citing/referencing is
required, then that will be marked as well.)
Canadian spelling is required. Marks will be lost if you use American spelling.
Students can set up the paper in an essay style or they can just go ahead and answer the question.
Make sure to include a title page (with your student name, number and question) and a Reference
List (if additional research has been undertaken.) The title page and the Reference List are not
included in the page count.
Follow APA formatting for the citations within the paper and the Reference List at the end.
The assignment will be handed in online (in pdf format) on Meskanas (Moodle).
Students will be docked 10% per day for each day that the paper is late. (Note: Make sure to
hand in your paper before 11:59 on November 28 th . If it is handed in at 12:00 a.m., it is
considered late and 10% will be deducted. Remember that students have had over 2 ½ months to
hand in their paper, so leaving it until the last minute and claiming to have a problem (i.e.,
computer issues or submission issues) will not be accepted as an excuse for a late paper.
An example of how marks can be lost really fast (handing in the paper late and not reaching the
page count):
The paper is marked out of 100%.
It is one page short. 25% is subtracted.
It is handed in two days late. 20% is subtracted.
The paper is now worth 55%, however it has not yet been marked for content, grammar and
referencing. In the end, this paper would likely result in a failing grade.
Deadline date: Nov 28, 2025
Choose only one of the following topics:
1) How has society (economically, politically, socially or environmentally) shaped your
thoughts about dating, marriage, and the number of children that you will have? (Note:
Students will want to do some background research to indicate which economic, political,
social or environmental policies they are referring to. Canadian news items can be used
as well as any Canadian statistics. Make sure to use APA formatting for the citations and
for the Reference List at the end of your paper.
2) How has your family heritage shaped your opinions about family? (For instance, you
could discuss traditions, customs, style of dress, religion, holidays, meals, family
discipline and expectations, or family stories and how they have impacted your life. You
could also include how you plan to continue these family practices and beliefs in the
future.) (Note: In the past, some students have included photos and recipes which have all
been very interesting! Also, for this question, you do not need to do any outside
research.)
3) Choose any three songs (lyrics or Youtube videos) that portrays or discusses intimate or
family relationships (i.e., dating, marriage, having children, break-ups, violence, or
divorce etc.). What message is being sent to society? Is this media message a positive
message or a negative one? Could it influence those who are watching or reading such
material to act in a certain way or think about family life or intimate relationships
differently? (Note: Along with your paper, make sure to include a copy of the lyrics or if
it is from Youtube, provide the link. These lyrics and links are not part of the page count.)
4) Choose a children’s book, a book for young teenagers, or a novel that you have recently
read. What message is being sent to society? Is this media message a positive message or
a negative one? Could it influence those who are reading such material to act in a certain
way or think about family life or intimate relationships differently? Are there gender
differences? (Note: You do not have to comment on each type of book, just pick one of
them (or maybe two or three of the same kind (i.e., three children’s books)). Make sure to
include all reference material relating to the book in APA format.
5) Choose a movie or a television show that you have recently watched. (Note: More than
one movie or tv show could be discussed; compared and contrasted.) What message is
being sent to society? Is this media message a positive message or a negative one? Could
it influence those who are watching the movie or show to act in a certain way or think
about family life or intimate relationships differently? Are there gender differences?
(Note: Make sure to include all reference material relating to the movie or show in APA
format.)
6) The Covid-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on family life in Canada. Using
Canadian news items, or even personal experiences, discuss how adults and children have
been socially, economically, and politically affected. Do you believe that these effects
have had long terms consequences on families (i.e., children or parents) or has society
and families already adjusted and moved on? It would be fine to include one or two
personal stories if you wish. (Note: Use APA formatting and provide a Reference List at
the end of your paper for the news items or any other information that you discuss.
7) When considering the material that we have covered in this course, what would your
predictions be with regard to future family life? In other words, based on what you know,
what would you say that life is going to be like in Canada fifty years from now in 2075?
(Note: You could also include other topics like employment changes, environmental
changes or technological changes that you see occurring or will occur. Remember that
whichever angle you take in your paper, make sure to link it to the family. (Note: Any
facts that you use in your paper should be cited in APA format.)
8) If you have another idea for a paper that you would like to write about, feel free to email
