How would you explain the difference between sex, gender, and sexual orientation to someone who grew up highly gendered and with little knowledge about variation in these concepts?

FCS 224– Enduring Issues for Couples and Families.

1. List at least four major changes in family, love, dating, and marriage that have occurred over the past 150 to 200 years. What are the major factors that have contributed to these changes? Would you say these changes have been more beneficial or more harmful to individuals and families? Use evidence from course content (readings/materials) to support your position.
2. In your own words, how would you explain the difference between sex, gender, and sexual orientation to someone who grew up highly gendered and with little knowledge about variation in these concepts? Why is it important to know the differences between these concepts (e.g. for your career, life, etc…)? Use course readings and materials to justify your answers.
3. A friend of yours is really struggling with dating and relationships, and they come to you looking for advice on how they can find a partner who is not a jerk/loser like all the previous individuals they have dated. They directly say “I am so sick of having shallow relationships with losers who end up ghosting me after a few Tinder hook-ups. Or moving in with someone only to have my heart broken and having to find a new place to live a few months later.  How can I find someone who I am relationally and sexually compatible with? How do I make a long-term romantic relationship work?”   What advice would you give your friend? In your response, be sure to use course content and readings to justify your advice, and be sure to address all components of your friend’s question.
4. Imagine a legislator were to write you saying they were concerned about recent evidence showing that U.S. adults experience high levels of work-family conflict, and that they would like to take legislative steps to help reduce the amount of work-family conflict experienced by American families. As someone who has systematically studied American families, they wanted to hear your opinion/input. What suggestions for specific policy proposals would you make to the legislator? Be sure to use evidence from course readings and content to justify your recommendations.