Abstract
This paper analyzes the views of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Confucius in "The Analects" and the early modern British philosopher, John Locke in "Second Treatise of Government." It particularly looks at the views of each philosopher in relation to the social institution of the family and their models of political order. The paper suggests that the different ways they understand familial relations can be seen as reflecting their distinct conceptions of political order in society as a whole.

From the Paper
"Locke contends that freedom comes with maturity and the capacity to exercise reason, and that it is the primary responsibility of the parent or guardian of a child to promote this in the child until he attains the age of maturity. Thus, while people in Confucius' political philosophy were advised never to think about government or politics, Locke in contrast argues that it is the prime duty - indeed, the defining characteristic - of an adult human being that they be able to consider questions of government and politics."

Tags:social, cultural, political, institution, environment

Abstract
This paper describes the ways in which Aristotle relates the functioning of the city to the functioning of the family household in his text, "Politics." The paper argues that Aristotle based his analysis of the city on the structure of the family, since the family provides the foundational unit of the city itself. Multiple relationships within the familial household are considered.

From the Paper
"Aristotle's 'Politics' details the ways in which political life is and should be lived in fourth century Greece. One of Aristotle's main arguments was that civic life was centered around the political structure of the city. The city, or polis, represented for Aristotle the best, and therefore final, "association," or set of relationships between individuals and groups (10). The city marks a pinnacle in a hierarchy of associations, moving from family, to village, to polis. The general building block of a city was considered to be the family, the smallest unit of association on which the polis was built. In the same way that men..."

Tags:aristotle, politics, family

Abstract
This paper discusses the family unit and its relationship with politics. It looks at John Locke's views, in his "Second Treatise of Government" of the place and nature of the family as a social unit in its contribution to what we today know as political science. It also looks at the viewed expressed in "The Analects" of Confucius. The paper compares and contrasts the two authors' views on family and politics.

Outline:
Introduction
Second Treatise of Government
The Analects and the Ideal Family
Reflection and Conclusion

From the Paper
"As approaches to the family in relation to the greater forces of politic science and social order, both Locke and Confucius are intriguing to investigate, again, referring to the present, given that both began in reactions to observed and experienced political turbulence and situations of social disorder. For instance, what does it mean when conservative Americans and others proclaim the need for what are called Family Values, or why is it that members of non-Western societies so denounce what they perceive of Western individualism and non-existent family life? Put differently, what implications can be expected in societies to very much emphasis individualism, personal agency and competition, as part of how children are prepared for adult life? In the case of what is referred to as the Sinic World of cultures shaped by Chinese civilization, why might authoritarian governments of one kind or another be expected, or accepted?"

Tags:values, regime, society, disorder, stability

Abstract
This paper focuses on the similarities and differences between the philosophies of Confucius and Locke in relation to the family as a social foundation. The paper explains that both Confucius and John Locke paid much attention to the family as a social foundation, as products of turbulent worlds to promote reflection on how whole societies could be rectified. Proper attitudes and self cultivation promoted in the family would radiate to greater societies made up of persons with or without advantages. Leadership, like fathership, involved many duties to be taken seriously. Corrupt leadership like a corrupted family would produce eventual dysfunction and general decline.

From the Paper
"John Locke (1632-1704) in his Second Treatise of Government lays out a good deal of his view of societies then visible to him, explaining the place and nature of the family as a social unit in its contribution to what we today know as Political Science. (McPherson 1980) One finds much in common with what appeared in The Analects of Confucius, many centuries before. (Radice 1979) Both approaches in the way of fine political theory have ongoing appeal in reminders of societies at once very different from what is familiar to day, and at the same time, similar, in their ..."

Tags:treatise, analect

Abstract
This paper explains that the mechanics and politics of making love and making babies have been distanced from the meaning of making families. The author points out that, in today's society, filled with less sexual consequences due to birth control, the focus has switched from love to pleasure; whereas, sex used to be considered an act of love and was done as a means of reproduction. The paper relates that society seems to be based on secular individualism, worshiping money and power without any spirituality. The author underscores that dating, which began as a way to find a potential spouse under parental supervision, has become a way to look for pleasure rather than for love. The paper concludes that, when society starts taking human life and well-being as the priority over anything else, love will come naturally.

From the Paper
"Lynch expresses the question of why women can determine they are not ready for maternity, but men cannot. To Lynch, it seems unfair that men cannot decide against being a father and are considered a "deadbeat dad" when they do not partake in the child's life. Women, on the other hand, can terminate a pregnancy if they do not desire to be a mother. The father would not even have to know. This expresses depersonalized communication between the people that had sexual intercourse in the first place. Love requires strong communication between couples, but that communication seems to take place less and less."

Tags:ethic, pleasure, dating, individualism, abortion

Abstract
This paper explains that Canada has a long history of political dissension, which is important to the function of the parliament and the provincial legislatures because this system is dependant on the loyalty of one party's colleagues to stand behind them while the other party provides appropriate criticism. The author points out that, while most times a Canadian citizen's choice of party affiliation stems from a commonality of ideals and principles, it also can be based on nothing more than family tradition. The paper relates that, in Canada, the political scene is constantly evolving; in recent years, decentralization has been on the rise, the federal government has abdicated many of its powers to the provinces and the traditional three-party system has splintered off into various other factions.

From the Paper
"While Box's emphasis is on individualism, Canadians seek more explicit acknowledgment of the importance and influence of social organization, expressed in the concept of community, as both driving and restraining individuals' behavior. After all, individuals live in communities that are real in a physical sense, as members of a social group living in and identifying with a locality. However, these communities are also real in a social sense, as members of social groups with common cultural characteristics such as shared beliefs and values. Additionally, they are solidified in an economic sense, as in a group's common ownership of economic resources or participation in economic endeavor."

Tags:community, dissension, decentralization, socialism, regions

Abstract
The paper relates that Charlotte Perkins Gilman was a sociologist, feminist and novelist whose utopia "Herland" was written in 1915; B.F. Skinner was a psychologist whose utopia "Walden Two" was published in 1948. The paper asserts that despite the fact that the books were produced more than thirty years apart, they have much in common. The paper explains that both were written primarily as polemics for their respective author's political beliefs, and it shows: neither is great literature. However, the paper discusses how both are filled with fascinating sociological issues which remain important concerns to this day: for example, the nature of the family; the best way to educate people; socialism versus capitalism; relationships between the sexes; the nature of work; and of course the central question of how to achieve a happy society. This paper examines the ways in which the two novels deal with the related issues of the family and gender equality. The paper opines that the latter issue in particular remains extremely relevant today.

From the Paper
"These utopian novels, while imaginary, nevertheless identify and respond to specific issues and problems within the broader society. What are some of these issues and problems? Also, in what ways do Skinner and Gilman contribute to some of the debates that were going on in their own time, some of which might still be relevant to the early 21st century? (Note: avoid a laundry list of issues -- FOCUS on one or two.) Charlotte Perkins Gilman was a sociologist, feminist and novelist whose utopia Herland was written in 1915. B.F. Skinner was a psychologist whose utopia Walden Two was published in 1948. Despite the fact that the books were produced more than thirty years apart, they have much in common."

Tags:utopia, gilman, skinner

Abstract
This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the topic of sociology and the family. Specifically, it discusses the potential issues facing a family that has a homosexual son. The paper discusses social issues for the family, such as condemnation from the religious and political communities, possible sanctions from the school district after complaints from parents, issues with the younger children from schoolmates and teachers and many other issues related to the community and support.

From the Paper
"In conclusion, in a perfect world, the sexual orientation of a prominent person's child should not matter in the overall scheme of things. However, in our world, which is far from perfect, it is an important sociological matter to some people. If the parents are loving and supportive, their own unit will probably remain intact and even grow stronger. Outside forces could create many sociological impacts on the family, from censure to even loss of careers. In addition, the altering of values inside the family may pave the way for sociological change in the family members in the future. As sociologist Noble states, "Today most people continue to spend most of their lifetime in nuclear family relationships though they undergo continuing changes in their aspirations and expectations as the structural and demographic circumstances of their lives change" (Noble, 1998). Thus, the two young children in the family may create families of their own that differ from the makeup of their own family, and recognize the diversity of society and family members. The sociological implications of the problem are many, and the family will have to weather them to stay together and nurture each other."

Tags:sexual, community, culture

Abstract
This paper explains that the factors which effect political opinion are family, gender, race, religion and region-values. The author points out that media in America has taken many positions from self-supporting mass-readership, to investigation for political reform to the talking heads of politicians, which allowsthe voters to be more objective, to the electronic press, which reaches a broader crowd furthering the media market. The paper relates that electronic news allows spin control, through manipulation and quick planning, on the part of the political figures to the point that a certain newscast calls itself a "no-spin zone".

From the Paper
"Public opinion is defined as the "attitudes, perspectives, and preferences of a population toward events, circumstances, and issues of mutual interest. It is characteristically measured by the sample survey or public opinion poll." Public opinion of politics is then simply the attitudes, perspectives, and preferences of a population towards political issues. Surveys and polls are used to determine public opinion of political matters but they are not always accurate."

Tags:spin, attitude, religion, family, politicians

Abstract
The writer relates that as is the case with his family and friends, his concept of poverty mainly comes from the mass media. The writer describes how almost every day, we see images of starving people, and especially of children in places such as Africa and Haiti, but these images are extreme and do not compare to anything we observe in Canada. The writer points out that we associate poverty in Canada with people on welfare and who have large families. The writer then discusses how his parents and friends feel that the solution to poverty must come from the government.

From the Paper
"As is the case with my family and friends, my concept of poverty mainly comes from the mass media. Almost every day, we see images of starving people, and especially of children in places such as Africa and Haiti. These images are extreme and do not compare to anything we observe in Canada. These are images of children in need of a bowl of rice as their daily food. We associate poverty in Canada with people on welfare and who have large families. My parents pity these people; my friends either blame the government or believe that the poor can rise above their poverty. In all cases, my parents and friends feel that the solution to poverty must..."

Tags:poverty, rates, reasons