Debating Points: Marriage and Family Issues
PrefaceThe Debating Points: Contemporary Social Issues series can be used to teach critical thinking, encourage student participation, and stimulate class discussion. Each book in this series is designed to provide readers with well-developed, carefully considered, and clearly written opposing viewpoints on a wide range of issues. A guiding principle in the selection of the issues for all Debating Points books is that they be easily understood and relevant to the backgrounds and interests of the students. Each issue within each book is self-contained and may be assigned according to the individual instructor's preferences or the dictates of classroom time.The debate format used in each book in the Debating Points series helps students to understand the significance of the principles, concepts, and theories they are learning in class. It encourages students to apply critical thinking techniques to the opinions and statements that they see and hear around them. Students will see that some issues do not have "right" or "wrong" answers, and that it is important to grasp the different points of view in order to gain a fuller understanding of the issue. The purpose of the debate format is to stimulate interest in the subject matter and to encourage the application of concepts and ideas. The "yes" and "no" essays have been selected to reflect a variety of ideological viewpoints and have been edited to present the views in a concise and interesting manner. The authors of the essay selections have been chosen because they are creditable scholars or commentators who are respected in their fields.In this second volume in the Debating Points series—Debating Points: Marriage and Family Issues—each issue begins with an introduction, which sets the stage for the debate by putting the issue into the context of a larger social science discussion and providing a brief description of the articles. Each debate concludes with a list of websites that students can research for further information on the issue. The websites have been chosen to reflect the diversity of views presented in the readings. With the advent of new communication technologies and with growing awareness of the World Wide Web, students are being exposed more frequently to differing viewpoints and sometimes to questionable information. In order to process this information effectively, students are going to have to rely on their critical thinking skills. Combining the issue articles with corresponding websites allows students to continue to explore the issues for a fuller understanding.Many instructors have recognized the importance of applying material that has been discussed in the classroom. The Debating Points series is an excellent tool for encouraging students to critically evaluate the utility of various theoretical perspectives. The push is on for educators to help students strengthen their critical thinking skills. The books in the Debating Points series are excellent tools for teaching critical thinking in that they expose students to a variety of viewpoints and to strongly argued positions related to their field of study.Henry L. TischlerSeries Editor