Relationship demographics have changed significantly during the past seventy years. What are the cultural and social norms that have caused these transitions? Clearly identify a specific demographic change that you will explore for this assignment. For example, why has singlehood increased as a life option? Why have more people joined in interracial/interethnic relationships? How has the marriage equality act influenced LGBTQ+ partnering/marriage? Why have divorce rates decreased in the U.S.? Use at least two academic sources and specific references from the texts and the content guides to support your thesis.
Your paper should be between 4 – 5 pages, in length, double-spaced, with 12 point font. Remember to cite all sources (both in-text and references) in APA format. The following link to the Research, Write and Cite Guide will provide directions to information about APA citations.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: The Changing Dynamics of Interracial/Interethnic Relationships: Cultural and Social Factors
Thesis Statement: The significant increase in interracial/interethnic relationships over the past seventy years can be attributed to shifting cultural and social norms, including the growing acceptance of diversity, changing demographics, and increased social mobility, which have collectively contributed to the erosion of traditional barriers to cross-cultural relationships.
Introduction
The landscape of relationships has transformed dramatically in the past seven decades, with notable shifts in cultural and social norms influencing various demographic changes. One key demographic change that has garnered attention is the rise in interracial/interethnic relationships. This paper aims to explore the underlying cultural and social factors that have contributed to this transition, delving into the growing acceptance of diversity, changing demographics, and increased social mobility as significant drivers of this trend.
Cultural and Social Norms Shaping Interracial/Interethnic Relationships
The acceptance of diversity has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of relationships in contemporary society. As documented by Jones and Bullock (2012), societal attitudes toward interracial/interethnic relationships have evolved significantly, with an increasing number of individuals embracing the idea of forming romantic partnerships across cultural and racial boundaries. This shift in attitudes can be attributed to the ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity, diversity, and multiculturalism within communities, educational institutions, and media representations.
Furthermore, changing demographics have also contributed to the rise in interracial/interethnic relationships. The content guide by Garcia and Copen (2012) cites the impact of demographic changes, such as urbanization and globalization, as key drivers of this trend. The increased proximity and interaction among individuals from diverse backgrounds in urban centers and multicultural environments have facilitated greater opportunities for cross-cultural connections and relationships.
Moreover, increased social mobility has been a significant contributing factor to the prevalence of interracial/interethnic relationships. According to Jones and Bullock (2012), advancements in education, employment, and access to diverse social networks have empowered individuals to transcend traditional barriers and form relationships based on compatibility and mutual respect, rather than being constrained by cultural or racial boundaries.
Specific Demographic Change: The Increase in Singlehood as a Life Option
The increase in singlehood as a life option can be attributed to several cultural and social shifts. The changing societal norms surrounding marriage and relationships have contributed to a greater acceptance of singlehood as a viable lifestyle choice. Additionally, economic independence and personal autonomy have empowered individuals to prioritize self-discovery, career advancement, and personal fulfillment without societal pressures to conform to traditional relationship expectations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the rise in interracial/interethnic relationships over the past seventy years can be attributed to the evolving cultural and social norms that have fostered greater acceptance of diversity, changing demographics, and increased social mobility. Understanding these underlying factors is crucial in comprehending the shifting dynamics of relationships and addressing the complexities of cross-cultural interactions in contemporary society.
References:
Jones, J., & Bullock, J. (2012). Interracial Relationships: An Overview of Key Issues Facing Couples and Families. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 11(3), 163-181. doi:10.1080/15332691.2012.705343
Garcia, L., & Copen, C. E. (2012). Intermarriage in the United States: An Examination of the Intermarriage of Hispanics and Whites. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 34(1), 119-133. doi:10.1177/0739986311433056
