SOC 416: Families in Poverty (Professor Mercado)

Guidelines:

1. Research Topics: Similar to your midterm you will select one of the following focus areas related to families in poverty:

• The War on Poverty
• The War on Crime
• Criminalization & Racialization of Poverty
• Policing, Incarceration & Deportation
• Capitalism, the Labor Market & Poverty 
• Economic Justice & The Poor People's Campaign
• Welfare rights & Human Dignity
• Substance Use & Addiction
• Queer/Trans of Color Critique
• Family Abolition
• Mental Health
• Grief & Healing
• Coalition and Building the World We Want

2. Prompt: For your final paper,  explore the multifaceted nature of poverty in the United States, focusing on how historical, social, political and economic factors contribute to the current conditions faced by poor, working-class families, especially those from marginalized backgrounds (i.e., im(migrant) families, criminal legal system-impacted families, families of color, and Indigenous communities). Use themes discussed in the course to guide your analysis, including but not limited to:

1. The historical roots of poverty in the U.S.: including colonial legacies, genocide, and slavery as contributors of poverty.
2. The systemic factors that perpetuate poverty, including racialization, criminalization, and geographical disparities.
3. The impact of capitalism and the labor market on poverty, particularly in relation to different family types and communities.
4. The role of social welfare policies and stigma, the impact of welfare and the stigma surrounding them.
5. The various coping strategies employed by families living in poverty and how these are shaped by their social contexts.

3. Guidelines:

• Your paper should be a minimum of 8 pages in length, double-spaced, using a standard font (e.g., Times New Roman, 12 pt) and 1-inch margins.
• Include at least 5 academic references, with proper citations in ASA or APA format.
• Check your punctuation, grammar and spelling.
• Be sure to include a works cited/bibliography page.
• Use a sociological lens to critically analyze the issues, integrating relevant theories and concepts discussed in class.
• Ensure that your argument is coherent, with clear thesis statements and well-structured sections.

4. Suggested Structure:

a. Introduction

• Introduce the topic and explain the significance of understanding poverty.
• Present your thesis statement.

b. Historical Context

• Discuss the historical factors contributing to poverty in the U.S.

c. Social and Economic Structures

• Analyze how systemic issues, such as racism and capitalism, perpetuate poverty.

d. Impact on Families

• Examine how different family types experience poverty differently.

e. Stigmatization of Welfare

• Explore the stigma surrounding social welfare and poverty in general and its implications.

f. Coping and Resistance  

• Discuss the strategies individuals, families and communities survive and navigate poverty.
• Discuss the ways that individuals, families and communities Resist stigmatization, criminalization, racialization and oppression. 

g. Conclusion

• Summarize key points 
• Suggest potential solutions or areas for further research.

Goal: This paper allows you to engage deeply with the course themes and demonstrate your understanding of how poverty intersects with larger social forces.

For full assignment guidelines, please consult Cougar Courses.