SOCI 247 - Dating and Cohabitation

Why do some women cheat on their romantic partners, according to Alicia Walker?

Cheating serves as a release for resentment, hurt feelings, and sexual deprivation in primary relationships, helping women better cope with their marriages.

How do outside partnerships function for women in sexless or orgasmless marriages?

Outside partnerships provide a space for sexual freedom and pleasure that is missing in their primary relationships.

What is the primary goal of most women who cheat, according to Walker's interviews?

Most women wanted to remain in their primary relationships but needed the pleasures found outside to do so.

How does cheating influence boundaries and security in relationships?

Cheating often led women to set clearer boundaries and experience more freedom due to the need to maintain secrecy.

What is the racial hierarchy in the dating world, according to Celeste Curington?

White people are the most preferred partners, black people the least preferred, and Asians and Hispanics fall in between.

What is the "multiracial dividend effect"?

Some multiracial daters, especially Asian-white women, are preferred more than monoracial individuals, indicating complex treatment of multiracial people in dating.

How do gendered differences in orgasm manifest in college hookups and relationships?

Men experience more orgasms, especially in hookups, while women are more likely to orgasm in relationships, where they receive more oral sex.

What is the "Take Back the Date" movement?

A movement by sexual conservatives advocating for a return to traditional dating, as they believe modern hookup culture is damaging, especially for women.

What do feminist sociologists argue about gender and sexual change on campuses?

They believe change has not gone far enough, focusing on sexual violence and pushing for more gender equity in campus sexual culture.

What is the connection between hookups and relationships in college?

Traditional dating has largely been replaced by hookups, but hookups often lead to relationships, with 69% of students having been in a relationship by their senior year.

Why do women orgasm more in relationships than in hookups?

Evolutionary psychologists suggest commitment is needed for women to enjoy sex, while others argue partner-specific experience or gender socialization are key.

How does the sexual double standard manifest in hookups versus relationships?

Men feel entitled to oral sex in hookups, while women are more generous, offering it even in early encounters. In relationships, reciprocity and women's pleasure become more important.

How do men and women view their own entitlement to sexual pleasure in hookups?

Women feel less entitled to pleasure in hookups compared to relationships and are less likely to communicate their needs in casual encounters.

What are the key differences between first hookups and relationships in terms of women's orgasms?

In first hookups, only 37% of women orgasm without self-stimulation, compared to 80% in relationships. Communication and comfort levels play a significant role.

How does the gender gap in oral sex vary across different contexts?

Men receive oral sex more frequently in all contexts, but women are more likely to receive it in relationships (68%) than in first hookups (46%).

What is the "new sexual double standard"?

Women who seek sexual pleasure outside committed relationships are judged more harshly, leading to a lack of respect and reciprocity in hookups compared to relationships.

How do self-stimulation and orgasm rates differ for women in hookups and relationships?

Women who engage in self-stimulation during partnered sex are more likely to orgasm, with rates increasing significantly in relationships compared to hookups.

What is the "social organization of sexuality"?

The concept refers to how societal norms shape sexual interactions, with relationship sex being better for women due to increased reciprocity and communication.

What findings challenge the notion that hookups have replaced dating?

Research shows that college students engage in both dating and hookups equally, and a third of hookups end in marriage.

How does hookup culture affect long-term romantic relationships?

Despite the prevalence of hookups, many college students express a desire for long-term relationships, and multiple hookups often evolve into relationships.

How does Ellen Lamont describe heteronormative courtship practices?

Traditional practices assume gendered behaviors, with men expected to initiate and lead, while women react, following cultural stereotypes about gender.

How do queer individuals challenge heteronormative courtship practices?

Queer individuals emphasize egalitarianism, rejecting gendered roles and promoting fluidity in dating and long-term relationships.

What new norms emerge within queer communities, according to Ellen Lamont?

New pressures, such as rejecting monogamy, can arise within queer communities, even though individuals value flexibility and personal freedom.

How does Lamont's research highlight the tension between freedom and norms in queer relationships?

While queer individuals value autonomy, they also face pressures to conform to community norms, creating a complex negotiation between personal freedom and collective expectations.

What do queer respondents in Lamont's study value in relationships?

They value the freedom to write their own scripts, finding heteronormative courtship restrictive and preferring more egalitarian, negotiated roles.

What pressures exist in queer spaces regarding respectability and relationship norms?

There is an "alternative respectability" where individuals must conform to being the "right kind" of queer, which may involve rejecting traditional gender norms or embracing non-monogamy.

What does Ellen Lamont's 2014 study reveal about traditional gender norms in courtship?

Traditional courtship persists despite increased support for egalitarian relationships, with women often reconciling egalitarian ideals with symbolic gendered behaviors.

What is the "moral dilemma" women face in dating, according to Lamont?

Women struggle to reconcile their desire for egalitarian marriages with the persistence of traditional gendered courtship practices.

How do women use traditional courtship practices to gauge male interest?

Acts like paying for dates or proposing are seen as indicators of men's commitment, reinforcing gendered roles while providing reassurance to women.

How do women negotiate traditional courtship behind the scenes?

Women often subtly push men to take actions like proposing, balancing tradition with their autonomy and need for egalitarianism in relationships.

What is the relationship between cohabitation and divorce, according to Arielle Kuperburg?

Cohabitation before marriage is no longer linked to higher divorce rates; instead, early entry into marriage or cohabitation before age 23 is a critical risk factor.

How does education affect the practice of premarital cohabitation?

Couples with college degrees are less likely to cohabit before marriage compared to those with lower educational attainment, reflecting a divide in societal norms.

How do men and women perceive cohabitation differently, according to Huang et al.?

Men view cohabitation as a low-commitment test of the relationship, while women see it as a step toward marriage, reflecting traditional gender roles.

What is the trend in union formation among young women, as discussed by Manning, Brown, and Payne?

Marriage rates have significantly dropped, and cohabitation has stalled, leading to fewer unions being formed, with younger generations increasingly avoiding both marriage and cohabitation.

What are the key motivations for cohabitation, as identified in Huang et al.'s research?

Both men and women cited spending more time together, sharing financial responsibilities, and testing compatibility as primary reasons for cohabitation.

How do men's and women's motivations for cohabitation differ, according to Huang et al.?

Men view cohabitation as a low-risk "test drive" for sexual access and convenience, while women see it as a step toward marriage and long-term commitment.

What concerns do men and women have about cohabitation?

Men are concerned about losing independence and sexual freedom, while women worry cohabitation might delay marriage and lower the legitimacy of their relationship.

How do traditional gender norms shape cohabiting unions, according to Huang et al.?

While cohabitation is seen as egalitarian, traditional gender roles persist, with women feeling pressure to move toward marriage and men expressing a desire to delay commitment.

What societal norms influence the gendered perceptions of cohabitation?

Broader cultural expectations about men’s reluctance to commit and women’s desire for marriage shape the way cohabitation is viewed by both genders.

How do cohabiting unions compare to marriage in terms of gender expectations, according to the research?

Cohabitation tends to reflect gendered expectations, with women focusing on commitment and men on independence, which can lead to tension in progressing the relationship toward marriage.

What trend has been observed in marriage rates among younger U.S. women?

Marriage rates have dropped significantly, particularly among women aged 25-29, from 55% a decade ago to 41% in the 2015-2019 period.

What has happened to cohabitation rates since the 1980s, according to Manning, Brown, and Payne?

After a steady increase in cohabitation rates from the 1980s to 2010, the rates have since leveled off, particularly among women aged 25-29.

What does the stalling of cohabitation rates indicate about union formation?

The leveling off of cohabitation rates suggests that cohabitation no longer compensates for the decline in marriage, leading to fewer overall unions being formed by young adults.

How do U.S. trends in cohabitation and marriage differ from those in Western Europe?

In Western Europe, cohabitation before marriage is nearly universal, while in the U.S., both marriage and cohabitation rates are declining, indicating fewer unions overall.

What do researchers predict about the future of union formation in the U.S.?

If current trends continue, young adults will form fewer unions as they age, leading to further declines in both marriage and cohabitation rates over the long term.

How has premarital cohabitation changed since the mid-1990s, according to Arielle Kuperburg?

Premarital cohabitation has become the norm, with most first marriages beginning with cohabitation. However, this practice reflects a growing divide between highly educated individuals and those with less education.

What are the educational differences in premarital cohabitation rates?

Although acceptance of premarital cohabitation is equally high across education levels, couples with a college degree or higher are less likely to cohabit before marriage compared to less-educated individuals.

What role does religion play in the education gap in premarital cohabitation?

The education gap in cohabitation is even larger among women who attend religious services at least once a month, showing how personal values and education intersect in relationship practices.

How has premarital cohabitation been linked to divorce rates since 2000?

Contrary to earlier beliefs, premarital cohabitation is now associated with a lower rate of divorce, especially when individuals marry after the age of 23.

What factor is identified as the "critical risk" for divorce in premarital cohabitation?

Early entry into cohabitation or marriage before the age of 23 is seen as the critical risk factor for divorce, rather than premarital cohabitation itself.

How do education levels influence the length of time couples spend dating before cohabiting?

College-educated couples take longer to decide to cohabit, allowing them more time to get to know their partner, which may contribute to more stable relationships.

How have perceptions of cohabitation as a strategy changed over time?

Originally seen as a countercultural trend, cohabitation has increasingly become a strategy for financial security among the less educated, reflecting changing social and economic dynamics.

What gender differences in cohabitation were explored by Huang et al. (2011)?

Men viewed cohabitation as a way to maintain sexual excitement and freedom, while women saw it as a pathway to commitment and marriage, highlighting the persistence of gender norms.

What findings did Manning, Brown, and Payne present about the decline in union formation?

The decline in both marriage and cohabitation rates among younger adults suggests a broader reduction in the formation of long-term committed relationships.

How does cohabitation in the U.S. compare to Europe, according to Manning, Brown, and Payne?

Unlike in Western Europe where cohabitation has nearly replaced marriage, in the U.S. both marriage and cohabitation rates are declining, leading to fewer overall unions.

What were the gendered concerns about cohabitation identified in the research?

Men were concerned about a loss of freedom and sexual excitement, while women worried that cohabitation might delay marriage and create social stigma.

What shift has occurred in the relationship between premarital cohabitation and divorce rates, as noted by Virginia E. Rutter?

Premarital cohabitation no longer predicts higher divorce rates and possibly never did. Instead, early cohabitation or marriage before age 23 is the critical risk factor.

What demographic is more likely to cohabit before marriage, according to research by Arielle Kuperburg?

Individuals without a college degree are more likely to move in with a partner quickly, giving them less time to know their partner, which can lead to a higher risk of relationship dissolution.

What was the historical significance of cohabitation from 1956-2015?

Premarital cohabitation shifted from being a countercultural trend in the 1960s to becoming a financial strategy, particularly for less-educated individuals, by the mid-1990s.

What did research by Huang et al. (2011) reveal about gender and cultural norms in cohabitation?

Gendered cultural norms still influence cohabitation, with men expressing concerns about loss of freedom, while women emphasize long-term commitment and marriage.

What did the study by Manning, Brown, and Payne (2021) suggest about trends in marriage and cohabitation among young women?

Marriage rates have dropped significantly among women aged 25-29, and cohabitation rates, after rising for decades, have now leveled off, signaling a broader reduction in long-term unions.

How do men and women differ in their approach to cohabitation, according to the findings of Huang et al.?

Men often see cohabitation as a way to maintain sexual access with low commitment, while women see it as a stepping stone toward marriage, highlighting ongoing gendered expectations.

What are the key differences in union formation between the U.S. and Western Europe, according to Manning, Brown, and Payne?

In Western Europe, cohabitation has nearly replaced marriage, while in the U.S., the rate of both marriage and cohabitation is declining, indicating fewer committed unions are being formed.

How does social class and education affect women's attitudes toward cohabitation and courtship practices?

Women with higher earnings or advanced careers are more likely to challenge traditional gender norms, either by initiating dates or seeking egalitarian practices in relationships.

What "backstage work" do women engage in to maintain traditional courtship appearances while ensuring their needs are met?

Women often engage in subtle negotiation, such as setting timelines for proposals or encouraging men to take traditional actions like proposing, while still balancing egalitarian values.

How do women reconcile their egalitarian ideals with traditional courtship norms, according to Ellen Lamont's 2014 study?

Many women maintain traditional courtship norms like allowing men to lead, framing it as a personal choice, while still advocating for egalitarian marriages and long-term relationships.

What findings suggest that premarital cohabitation no longer predicts divorce?

Research shows that cohabitation before marriage is no longer linked to higher divorce rates. Instead, the real risk factor is entering cohabitation or marriage before the age of 23.

What are the implications of the leveling off of cohabitation rates, according to Manning, Brown, and Payne?

The stalling of cohabitation rates suggests that it no longer compensates for the decline in marriage, resulting in fewer young adults forming long-term unions of any kind.