Marriage & the Family

The Foundation of Family Well-Being

Theories of Attraction 

Why are we attracted to some people and not to others?  Intheory we have the freedom of choice as to who we chooseas our partner.  In reality, our choices are limited by

– Where we live– The people we know– Our socio-economic background– And other influences that may not be as obvious.

• Sociologists explain many relationships based on theories.  We will examine 5 theories of why individuals are attracted to other people.

Social Homogamy Theory

Theory based on the idea that “like attracts like.”

• People tend to choose a partner who is more alike than different from themselves.

• Often from the same race, religion, or culture.

• They will often enjoy doing the same kinds of things which is often how they meet.

• They often have similar role expectations.

Complimentary Needs Theory

Theory states that people choose a partner who compliments (or completes) and meets their own personal needs. 

– Each person’s strength’s help balance the traits of the other.

– For example, a shy person may be attracted to an outgoing person.

– Considered to be a “Balancing motive”. You complete me!• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v

=NpWAlvWNZj0

Ideal Mate Theory

– It may also be based on characteristics of one’s own parents ( a woman may look for a man who is like her father).

– This image may also develop over dating experiences, “I know what I don’t want!”

Most people have a preconceived image of what their ideal partner should be like. 

– This image is based on physical appearance, personality characteristics or other traits.

Social Exchange TheoryPeople may consider the qualities they want in a partner and what they have to offer in return. 

– These qualities may be personal, material, appearance, intelligence, or services.

– A partner is selected as someone who brings the best of these qualities at the smallest cost.

– For example, a successful business man may look for a wife who will be attractive and keep a successful home and meet social requirements as he progresses through his career.

Propinquity Theory

– Same city or same college provides an opportunity to meet.– Long-distance relationships are costly and difficult to keep going,

although with global travel and the Internet more accessible now, these relationships are becoming easier to establish and sustain.

People are more likely to meet and know people who

are physically nearby.

Marriage

Canada has CIVIL marriage…this means that marriage is governed and controlled bythe federal government under the Civil Marriages Act (2005).

The rules are made by the federalgovernment, but they are administered by each province.

Marriage Law• The Civil Marriage Act came into effect on

July 20, 2005.

• Canada became the fourth country to legislate same-sex marriage with:– Netherlands (2001)

– Belgium (2003)

– Spain (2005).

Who Can Get Married?

• Anyone over 19.• Anyone under 19 years with consent of

both parents. • Under the age of 16 years with permission

of the Court. • Someone who is divorces with a final

proof of divorce.• Someone who is widowed with proof of

death document.

Applying for a Marriage License

• The Solemnization of Marriage Act requires that you obtain a marriage license before getting married in Nova Scotia.

• The license does not mean that you are married, but that you may get married.

• Expires one year from date of issuance.

Applying for a Marriage License

• Only one member of the couple needs to apply for the license

• You must provide a signed piece of identification and proof of age for both parties.

• The fee for a marriage license is $121.78 • There is a five day waiting period between

the day of application for the license and the date of issuance.

The Marriage Ceremony

• In Nova Scotia, couples can choose a religious or civil ceremony.

• Either type of ceremony must be witnessed by two people who are at least 16 years of age.

• Religious ceremonies are performed by a religious representative of your choice, as long as they are registered with Nova Scotia Vital Statistics under the Solemnization of Marriage Act.

• Civil ceremonies are performed by a Justice of the Peace or Judge. The list of Justices of the Peace is available from the Department of Justice website.

Registering the Marriage

• The religious representative or Justice of the Peace or Judge who performs the ceremony will also help to complete the necessary Marriage Registration Form.

• Must be sent in within 48 hours by the officiant to Vital Statistics where the marriage is registered and a legal record is kept.

• The certificate you sign during the ceremony is a "memento" document, and NOT legal proof of marriage.

• An official Marriage Certificate is legal proof of marriage and must be requested.

Common Law Marriage

• There is no such thing as common law marriage in any province in Canada. No matter how long you live with your common law partner, you will never be considered married for legal purposes.

So what is Common Law?

• Two people, who are not married, live together in a 'marriage-like' relationship.

• Every law has its own definition for what qualifies as a common-law relationship.

• You cannot file an application to become ‘common-law,’

• You do not have to go through a formal court process when you separate from your common-law partner to be considered separated.

• You cannot get divorced.

More on Common Law

• Common-law couples do not have the same rights and obligations as married couples under the law relating to property, debts and pensions.

• Rights and obligations around parenting and supporting children are similar to those of married couples.

Common Law & Children

• You have the same rights and obligations toward your children REGARDLESS of the type of relationship you were in.

• What the rights and obligations are for your specific situation will always depend on the circumstances.

Registered Domestic Partnership

• Formal legal relationship that is registered with the government.

• Allows a couple to have some of the rights and obligations that married couples have: pension benefits, property, etc.

• This type of relationship generally gives the couple more rights than a common-law relationship, but does not have all of the rights of a marriage.

Pros & Cons?

• What are the Pros and Cons for Marriage vs. Common Law vs. Domestic Partnership?

• Which one would you choose and why?

Chapter 6 Definitions

• Marriage• Conjugical unions• Cohabitation• Polygyny• Polyandry• Betrothal• Bride price• Dowry• Dower Rights• Matrilineal•

Ancient Hebrew

• Characteristics / Traditions– Arranged.– Bride Price– Dowry: set up home– Betrothal– Dower rights for woman– Marriage Contract: Women obey

and bear sons.– Sister could replace a deceased

wife.– Brother of a deceased man had to

marry his wife to support his brothers children.

– Primarily economic relationship…family wealth and creation of more children to contribute to the family economy.

• Similarities to Current Traditions– Exchanging of gifts.– Betrothal: promise rings,

engagements.– Protection of women’s rights in the

marriage.

• Differences from Current Traditions

– Not arranged– No dowries.– Sibling and spouse…faux pas

• One interesting or surprising thing– Sister’s filling in for deceased

wives.

Ancient Rome

• Characteristics / Traditions– Patriarchal…changes over time

due to war…men are away.– Economic arrangement– Monogamous

• Similarities to Current Traditions– Monogamous

– Divorces

– Remarriage

– Christian…religious

– Married several times over a lifetime

• Differences from Current Traditions– LOVE marriage

• One interesting or surprising thing– Marriage a way to attain economic and

political advantage/

Middle Ages

• Characteristics / Traditions– Informal, loosely organized and

casually enforced.– Begins to be regulated by

Christian church.– Minimum age 14 (M) 12 (F).– Delayed marriage after betrothal

to ensure both parties entered the marriage willingly.

– Regulations

• Similarities to Current Traditions– Engagement period of time– Regulations– Minimum ages

• Differences from Current Traditions

– Different minimum ages.

• One interesting or surprising thing– Minimum age 14 (M) 12 (F).

Protestant Reformation• Characteristics / Traditions

– Divorce becomes more liberal– Family being more important than

chastity.– Increasingly love marriages– Free-choice

• Similarities to Current Traditions– Most

• Differences from Current Traditions

– Husbands had power over wife– Rules / laws about marrying in

your family.– Social class

• One interesting or surprising thing

– Incest

First Nations

• Characteristics / Traditions– Matriarchal.– Men hunted– Women domestic chores…

gathering, etc.– After a child was born– Arranged– Gender Roles– Male Authority

• Similarities to Current Traditions– Men make the bacon…women

cook it…sometimes.– Gender roles exist

• Differences from Current Traditions

– Matriarchal vs. Patriarchal– Women now work outside home– Marriage before child is born…OR

after…choice– Love– Gender Roles sometimes don’t

exist.– Males do not have a right to

authority over their wives.

• One interesting or surprising thing– Marrying after a child is born.

European Contact• Characteristics / Traditions

– Male dominated– Based on Christian traditions– Dowry– 20 yrs (W) 28(M)– Nuclear– Child Heir would stay at home and

look after parents in old age.

• Similarities to Current Traditions– Ages…older marriages– Still look after older parents…any

child.

• Differences from Current Traditions

– Many different types of families– Dowry

• One interesting or surprising thing– First Nations temporary

marriages.

19th Century Canada• Characteristics / Traditions

– Most free choice . Aka LOVE– Approval of parent– June and Fall Harvest– Older marriages (26-29)– Divorce illegal in PQ– Divorce with proof of adultery

• Similarities to Current Traditions– LOVE– Popular June and Sept

• Differences from Current Traditions

– Don’t need approval…but is tradition and respectful

• One interesting or surprising thing– Divorce illegal in PQ