AN OVERVIEW OF MARRIEDS, NONMARRIEDS
AND
FAMILIES
Marrieds and NonMarrieds
Outline
Reading discussionMarriageNonmarriedsFamiliesApplying theories
Reading Discussion
What did you think of the reading?
Were there any parts you liked? Disliked?
What facts and figures stood out to you?
Critically, did you find any issues or gaps in the reading – areas you wish were discussed more, less, research that was confusing, facts that were suspicious?
Marriage: An Overview
Marriage • The book defines marriage as:
• a legal union between a man and a woman as recognized by most of the United States.
• The law defines marriage as: • In California, a personal relation arising out of a civil contract between a
man and a woman. This definition may vary by state.• Religion defines marriage as:
• a religious rite that may often include precepts of childbearing, sexual relations, living arrangements and religious beliefs/observances
• Sociology defines marriage as: • a socially approved sexual and economic relationship between two or
more individualsHow do these definitions effect the recent debates concerning marriage?
Marriage: Laws
Cohabitation Laws as of 2001 were still on the books in seven states but are now no longer typically enforced and are believed to be unconstitutional by some people
Antimiscegenation Laws were the prohibition of interracial marriage, cohabitation or sexual interaction From the time of slavery through the 1960s, many states had
antimiscegenation laws
Marriage: Laws
Marriage: Trends
1960: 80% of 25-35 year
olds are married2000: 55%2010: 45%Why:
• Education• Cohabitation• All Things Considered
Marriage: Trends
Marriage: Indicators of Marital Readiness
Age and maturityTiming of marriageMotivesSexual exclusivenessEmotional emancipation from parentsEducation and vocation established
Should any other indicators be added to this list?
Do you think some of these indicators are obsolete?
Marriage: Advantages
Better physical and emotional healthMore wealth and incomePositive social statusMore and safer sexLife-long continuity of intimate relationshipsSafer circumstances for childrenLonger life expectancyLower odds of being crime victimsEnhanced legal and insurance rights and benefits (taxes too)Higher self-reported happiness
What are your thoughts on this list?
Marriage: Disadvantages
Large investment of time, emotion and energy
Women’s finances tend to decrease with marriage and the onset of domestic work and/or children
Possible domestic violence and isolationTakes away from community and social
connections – retreating into each other
Are there any disadvantages missing from this list?
Marriage: Diversity in Types
Monogamy is the practice of marrying (or being in a relationship with) one person at a time. It is still considered the only legal form of marriage in modern western culture
Polygamy is a system of marriage that allows people to have more than one spouse at a time. It is practiced among some subcultures around the world but is not widely acknowledged as a legitimate form of marriage
Marriage: Diversity in Types
Polygyny is a system of marriage that allows men to have multiple wives. This is the most common form of polygamy. This form of marriage can be legal in some countries but is most often “spiritual.”
Do you think it served a purpose at one time in certain cultures?
Marriage: Diversity in Types
Polyandry is a system of marriage that allows women to have multiple husbands. This is a more rare form of polygamy. Polyandry is recognized by some tribal legal systems but is also most often “spiritual.”
Marriage: Divorce
Marital Entropy is the principal that if a marriage does not receive preventative maintenance and upgrades it will move towards decay and break down
There are numerous reasons for divorce beyond lack of maintenance
What do you find interesting about the main reasons for divorce?
Let’s Consider:
Instructions: Divide yourself into groups Designate a “speaker” to present your group’s point of view Take 5 minutes and discuss the following questions
Should singlehood be the preferred choice for people under the age of 30?
Should the legal age of marriage be raised in the United States?
(It ranges from 15, with parents consent, to 18)
NonMrarieds
Four types of singles*• Voluntary temporary• Voluntary stable (permanent)• Involuntary temporary• Involuntary stable (permanent)
Demographic and Myths of Single Life
Do you think there is a stigma attached with not being married by a certain age?
NonMrarieds: 4 Types
Involuntary Temporary Would like to get married and are actively seeking a mate
Voluntary Stable (permanent) Single by choice and satisfied with that decision Includes those who have a lifestyle that precludes traditional
heterosexual marriage People who fit in this category
Members of religious orders Gays and lesbians (although this is changing with civil unions and
same-sex marriage legislation)
NonMrarieds: 4 Types
Voluntary Temporary They are open to marriage but place a lower priority on
searching for mates than on other activities (education, career, politics)
Involuntary Stable (permanent) Dissatisfied with their singlehood but feel it is permanent People who fit in this category
Professional successful women for whom
finding a suitable mate is often a problem
of demographics – lack of older, well
educated single men*
NonMrarieds: Statistics
Increase in never-married adults 2003: 24.4 % of U.S adults 18+ years old 2006: 73% of 20-29 ♂ year olds 2006: 62% of 20-29 ♀ year olds
Never-married by Race/Ethnicity 38.9% of African Americans (over 1/3) 30.9% of Hispanics (less than 1/3) 22.2% of Whites (less than ¼)
NonMrarieds: Statistics
Blacks are almost
as likely to be
never married as
married
What else does this
graph tell us?
NonMrarieds: Statistics
By 75, almost everyone has married once
Non Marrieds: Same Sex Couples
Non Marrieds: Same Sex Couples
Marriage, according to GLAD, is a unique legal status conferred by and recognized by governments the world over. It brings a host of reciprocal obligations, rights and protections. It is a cultural institution and is a fundamental protecting conveying clearly that you and your life partner love each other and are united and belong by each other’s side. No other word has that power, and no other word can provide that protection
VSCivil Union is a legal status created by the sate of Vermont in 2000
and subsequently by the states of Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Illinois, Delaware and Hawaii. It provides legal protection to couples at the state law level, but omits federal protections as well as the dignity, clarity and security and power of the word “marriage”
Non Marrieds: Same Sex Couples
As of January 2013, 9 states – Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont and Washington – as well as the District of Columbia and two Native American tribes – have legalized same-sex marriage
In addition, Rhode Island recognizes same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, and California, which briefly granted same-sex marriages in 2008, now recognizes them on a conditional basis
While several jurisdictions have legalized same-sex marriage through court rulings, legislative action, and popular vote, 9 states prohibit same-sex marriage by statute and 30 prohibit it in their constitutions.
The defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), enacted in 1996, prevents the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states. The provision of DOMA has been found unconstitutional in 8 federal courts, including 2 federal appeals courts. 5 of these cases are pending review in the Supreme Court.
NonMarrieds: Cohabitation
Cohabitation is living together as a romantically involved, unmarried couple
NonMarrieds: Cohabitation
Who cohabitates?• Between 50-60% of new marriages now involve couples who
have lived together first• Typical cohabitating couple
• Between 24-34 years old• Transition to cohabitation occurred rapidly (within 6 months) with
plans for a future not having been discussed
Do you suppose the high percentage of new marriages involving cohabitating couples are reflected in divorce rates?
NonMarrieds: Cohabitation
Before 1960, and Three’s
Company, cohabitation
was rarely ever heard of.About 8% of all
households are occupied
by couples who are
cohabitating
As Sociologists, it is our job to understand why the number of people cohabitating has increased so much
over the last few decades. Why do you think this is?
Non Marrieds: Cohabitation
NonMarrieds: Cohabitation
In Europe, cohabitation is a much more popular and socially acceptable living arrangement
NonMarrieds: Cohabitation
What makes the U.S. different? Strong emphasis on individualism. In particular, expressive
individualism which emphasizes personal satisfaction, self expression and personal growth
As a result, more short-term, fragile cohabitating relationships exist
This means Americans partner up frequently, for shorter amounts of time and then repeat the process
NonMarrieds: Cohabitation Activity
Instructions: Break into small groups. Discuss what you know about cohabitation. Use your sociological imagination. Brainstorm a hypothesis for why cohabitation is increasing. They don’t have to be the examples below, think outside the box. Designate one person to share the hypothesis with the class.
Why Cohabit?• Can not be examined separately from the social context• Reasons
• Finances• Consider the economy
• Convenience• Childcare?• Increased switch to urban areas
• Housing needsDo you suppose that the reasons for cohabitation effect the outcomes of
cohabitation?
NonMarrieds: Cohabitation
Negative effects of cohabitation on marriage• No evidence that cohabitation weeks out incompatible couples and
prepares people for successful marriages• The divorce rate among those who cohabited before getting married is
higher than those who have not• Not believes in marriage to begin with?• More committed to autonomy than marriage?• Focus on individual need fulfillment
• For marriage specifically: • If cohabitation was a precursor to marriage for both participants (they cohabit
after they have made plans to marry which is approximately 46%) this arrangement is seen as prenuptial and does not seem to effect the marriage outcome
A crucial component for success in any relationship (cohabitating or marriage)is communication of intention from both partners*
NonMarrieds: Advantages
Opportunities for self-development and personal growth
Opportunities to meet different people and have a variety of friendships*
Economic independenceVaried sexual experienceFreedom to control own life*Opportunities for career change*
NonMarrieds: Disadvantages
LonelinessEconomic hardship*Feeling out of place in social gatheringsSexual frustrationLack of children or lack of family in which to bring up
children Lack of family or close social ties*
Families: General Definitions
US Census Bureau:Defines family as two or more individuals related by blood, marriage or adoption living in the same household
Sociologists:Define family as a social group whose members are bound by legal, biological or emotional ties or a combination of all three
What are your thoughts on these definitions?
Families: What is a Family?
Nuclear family• A familial form consisting of a
father, mother and biological
children• Parsons, a structural-functional
theorist, discussed gender roles
within this type of family
How common is this family type now?
Why?
Families: What is a Family?
Extended Family• A large group of relatives, usually including at least three
generations living either in one household or in close proximity• Used to be very common and is becoming more common
again
Why is this family becoming more common?
Families: What is a Family?
Kin• Relatives or relations,
usually those related by common descent
How might this type of family life relate to arranged
marriages?
Applying theories
Social Exchange Theory Individuals weight the cost benefits of mate selection and remaining in a marriage
Conflict Theory Authority comes from institutionalized, legitimate power Institutionalized means embedding concepts, social roles, values and norms within a social
system or society
Functionalist Theory Society in a state of balance Specific parts have specific functions
Family Systems Theory Family is understood by conceptualizing it as a complex, dynamic, changing collection of
parts, subsystems and family members
Life Course Theory Marriage is an ongoing career that occurs within the context of other life course events.
Relates to broader social context.
How do these theories apply to this lecture on marrieds, nonmarrieds and families?
Food for Thought