GENDER OF FAMILY & MARRIAGE

Something Old, Something New

Social Institutions

  • Definition: Patterned behaviors providing guidelines for societal functions.

  • Nature: Powerful entities that act as pathways through the social world, established over time.

  • Examples: Marriage as a tool for commitment, resource pooling, and family foundation.

A Brief History of Marriage

Historical Overview

  • Adulthood and commitment embodied in marriage.

  • Love in marriage is a recent concept (200 years old).

  • Many early marriages were strategic for political power rather than love.

Cleopatra and Antony's Power Dynamics

  • Political Context: Focus on Egyptian and Roman power struggle, more than romantic love.

  • Women as Pawns:

    • Used for forging alliances.

    • Often sent away for marriages to unknown men.

Marriage Gradient

  • Women typically "marry up" (older, wealthier partners), while men often "marry down."

  • Reflected in societal patterns and expectations.

Marriage Variations

  • Definitions of marriage vary across societies, making a universal definition difficult.

  • Changing Dynamics: Legalization of gay and lesbian marriage shows evolution of marriage definitions.

Demographics of Marriage

Trends and Statistics

  • Average marriage age for American women has shifted from 20-22 to 27.

  • Only 20% of Americans are wed by age 29, down from 60% in 1960.

  • Larger proportion of unmarried young adults than married ones.

Feminism and Marriage

  • Feminist views on marriage have varied; some seek reform while others criticize it as an institution rooted in patriarchy.

Gender’s Impact on Marriage

  • Dramatic shifts in marriage trends noted, especially among single women outnumbering married women.

Legal Milestones

  • 1972 Ruling: Affirmed contraception rights for single women, marking a shift in women's reproductive autonomy.

  • 1974 Equal Credit Opportunity Act: Facilitated women's financial independence without husband’s consent.

Marriage Choices

  • By the 1990s, choice around marriage began to be viewed as a personal decision rather than politically charged.

Gender Dynamics in Marriage

Impacts of Gender

  • Marriage Squeeze: Educational mismatches lead to fewer marriage opportunities for educated African American women.

  • Interracial Marriages: Emerged due to marriage squeeze, with demographic patterns shifting.

Transnational Marriages

  • Couples navigating transnational dynamics highlighting cultural exchanges and gender roles.

  • Remittances: Income sent back to support families in home countries.

Division of Labor in Households

Gender Roles

  • Predetermined roles in households; men as providers and women as caretakers.

  • Social scripts emerging from institutions like marriage guide daily actions and responsibilities.

Power Dynamics

  • Economic contributors have more negotiating power in household tasks.

Families in Transition

Modern Family Structures

  • Definition: Families include biological relations, but the concept has expanded, allowing the inclusion of chosen families.

  • Shift in Dynamics: Nuclear families diminish, with more varied structures becoming normal.

Changes in Marriage Patterns

  • Married couples are a minority in U.S. households, reflecting societal and cultural shifts.

  • Conclusion: Despite the changing landscape of marriage, it remains popular and significant.