marriage

When reason do people choose to get married?

Love

To make a lifelong commitment. Companionship

Predictors of marital satisfaction

• Perceived closeness and intimacy

• Healthy communication

• Religiosity

• Differentiation (maintaining autonomy/sense of self)

• Values matching practice

Do people's values always match their actions?

No. For example, many people say cheating is wrong, but infidelity still happens.

What household responsibility do many couples consider important?

: Sharing household chores and childcare.

What is child marriage?

marriage or union involving someone under 18 and an adult or another child

Who experiences child marriage more often?

girls

s child marriage increasing or decreasing?

decreasing

: How many girls/women were estimated to have been married as children in 2023?

640 million worldwide

What state first banned child marriage in 2018?

delaware

How many U.S. states had completely banned child marriage with no exceptions as of 2024?

13 states

Are people getting married more or less often than in the past?

Less often, and they are getting married later.

What percentage of U.S. adults were married in 1960?

Nearly 3/4.

What percentage of U.S. adults were married in 2023?

Just over half.

What was the median age for first marriage in 1950?

Men: 22 | Women: 20

What was the median age for first marriage in 2021?

Men: 30.4 | Women: 28.6

Why are people getting married later?

They are focusing on education, careers, and financial stability.

What are other reasons fewer people marry?

More acceptance of sex outside marriage, better contraception, cohabitation, and greater acceptance of being single/divorced.

How do Americans generally view marriage today?

They still see it as important and desirable, but less than in the 20th century.

What does "marriage used to be the first step into adulthood" mean?

Today, people often get their personal life together first and marry later.

What is heteronormative bias?

The belief that heterosexuality is the only "real" marriage option.

What has happened to heteronormative bias?

it has decreased

What country legalized same-sex marriage first?

The Netherlands in 2000

When did the U.S. legalize same-sex marriage nationwide?

2015

What was the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage?

Massachusetts in 2004

How did same-sex marriage become legalized in the U.S.?

Lawsuits, activism, and legal challenges arguing that bans were unconstitutional and discriminatory.

What are some benefits associated with same-sex marriage legalization?

Less prejudice/discrimination, better mental health, and more security.

What is an individualistic culture?

A culture that emphasizes individual freedom, happiness, and self-actualization.

What is a collectivist culture?

A culture that emphasizes group needs over individual desires.

What happened to marriage as individualism increased?

People gained more freedom to choose their own marriage partners, and romantic love became connected to marriage.

Where are arranged marriages more common?

Collectivist cultures.

Who traditionally chooses partners in arranged marriages?

Parents or paid matchmakers.

What is a dowry?

Money or property that a bride brings to the marriage.

What are the 3 types of marriage that developed over time?

I → C → I

Institutional → Companionate → Individualized

What is institutional marriage?

Marriage controlled by social norms, law, religion, and public opinion.

What are common marriage norms?

Sexual exclusivity and monogamy

What is sexual exclusivity?

Spouses agree to have sexual relationships only with each other.

What is monogamy?

Having one spouse.

What is polygamy?

Having more than one spouse.

What is polygyny?

One man with multiple wives.

What is polyandry?

One woman with multiple husbands.

What is polyamory?

Romantic relationships where partners can have other partners.

Why did society promote marriage norms according to structural functionalism?

To maintain family lines and encourage responsible child-rearing.

What is the main idea of structural functionalism?

Social structures work together to create stability in society.

What is an example of a family function?

parents raise the next generation

When did companionate marriage become popular in the U.S.?

1920s.

What is companionate marriage?

Spouses are expected to be friends, lovers, and companions while still following social norms.

What were traditional gender roles in companionate marriage?

Husband = breadwinner; Wife = homemaker.

When did individualized marriage become more common?

Late 20th/21st century.

Why did individualized marriage become more common?

Women's education and work opportunities increased, along with expectations for personal growth.

Why do spouses stay together in an individualized marriage?

For self-actualization, intimacy, and emotional support.

What are the 4 characteristics of individualized marriage?

O-F-L-D

Optional → Flexible → Love → Diversity

What do scholars who believe families are in decline argue?

They say there is too much individualism and self-indulgence.

What do scholars who believe families are changing argue?

They see the changes as historically appropriate adjustments that can be positive.

What do policymakers who think families are in decline want?

More marriage and less divorce.

What do policymakers who think families are changing focus on?

Structural factors causing lower marriage rates and individual/couple rights.

How is marriage related to health and happiness?

Supportive, lasting marriages are associated with better physical/mental health and greater happiness.

What is the "marriage gap"?

The difference in marriage rates between higher-income and lower-income people.

How is marriage related to wealth?

Married people are generally wealthier than unmarried people.

How is marital dissatisfaction related to children?

It has been linked to anxiety, aggression, behavior problems, and insecure attachment.

What is the experience hypothesis?

Marriage itself causes positive outcomes.

What is the selection hypothesis?

People who choose marriage may already have characteristics that lead to better outcomes.

Why is it difficult to know whether marriage causes better outcomes?

Because it's hard to tell whether marriage causes the outcome or people who marry were already different.