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 TypesVoluntary 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 needs

Do 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