SOC 1000 test 3 - contemporary Canadian characteristics of marriage and family

What are the 2 foundational concepts

Hyper- individuation

Hyper sentimentalization

Individuation

Interests of individual placed above interests of community and state

Hyper-individuation

Interests of individual placed above interests of marriage and family

Hyper-sentimentalization

Elevation of emotional considerations above all other concerns

Endogamy

Marrying within our definition

Homogamy

Similar to us in personal characteristics, not just in race, ethnicity etc

What’s the 2 trends occurring in the free trade in the marriage market

-Religious exogamy is increasing (religious beliefs are losing power)

-age homogamy is increasing (before ma typically was found to be older, now its changing)

Hypergamy

Bride chooses groom with higher status

Hypogamy

Bride chooses groom w/ lower status

Liberalization of divorce laws + important dates

1880-1968 : marriage is between contract and state

1968: Canadian divorce act; can divorce if partner is homosexual, alcohol abuse (have reasonable reasons to leave)

1985: divorce act; if you own a home together it’s split 50%, 1970s was when custody was based off best interest for child

Divorce rates vs acts

Divorce rates spiked when acts were made

Is marriage the death or funeral of a marriage ?

Divorce is not the death of a marriage, its the funeral

Remarriage - who were more likely to remarry?

Males were more likely, the age gap is now narrowing

Modifying gender roles (3)

1. Acting equal: changes in the law → women had legal right to children, they can own property, get an education

2. Talking equal: decline of blatant sexism ex/ personal titles;

   Mr → master Mrs → mistress Ms → sexually available

   Married female names → property of father + husband, not many change names anymore

3. Thinking equal: persistence of sexist attitudes

Sexual revolution (3)

1. Victorian sexual repression

2. Sexual revolution

3. Sexual reaction

Youth are more prone to be victimize more by…

Member of own family, friend/acquaintance, stranger

15% stranger

31% member of own family

54% by friend or acquaintance

59% parent perpetrators

What’s the average age for first marriage in current society

30

What are common trends for unmarried lifestyles

1. Not married

2. Declining marriage rates

3. Living together unmarried: cohabitation

4. Parenting - household circumstances

5. Same sex relationships shifts to marriage

Double shift

1. Housework - mainly women

2. Parenting

3. Marital satisfaction (u- dip)

Baby boom to baby bust

Birth rates - 2.1 kids per women to maintain Canadian population , we are way below

• more living units, less people per household

• Quebec had population incentive

Senior boom

Better health care, longer living seniors