1. Marriage
FACS Essentials

2. Dating Terms What does that even mean?
“Talking”
“Going out”
“Hooking up”
Things can easily get lost in translation! In America, these terms are also show our lack of commitment in relationships!

3. Things are getting serious…
Remember that dating ultimately leads to marriage.
The following are different types of love that are found in marriages

4. Altruistic Love
Based on the concern a person has for the well- being of another
Ex. Enjoy helping and providing for your mate

5. Companionate Love Feeling of deep friendship
You may feeling this way with one of two friends throughout your life as well as your partner
This is the most common type of love in the daily lives of most married couples.

6. Romantic Love
Usually reaches a peak during engagement or early marriage
It is very emotional, deep romance
Devoting themselves to their partner, ignore the rest of the world and create their own happiness
If this heightened emotional state continue years into the marriage, it strengthens marriage
However many couples leave the “honeymoon phase” after living together and being in constant contact and see thing more realistically

7. Sexual Love
Having sex with your partner is and extension of the intimacy and communication in your relationship
It helps married couples confirm their love and need for each other
Eventually, will be used to help create their own family together

8. Factors That Influence Marital Success
Family background
your lifestyle, relationships, customs
Personal Priorities
how you spend your time and money
Personal Goals
where you see yourself in the future
Standards
what you hold yourself and your partner accountable to

9. Factors That Influence Marital Success
Emotional maturity
How you and your partner handle situations
the more emotional mature the couple is, the higher the success rate
Emotional mature people…
make their own decision
take responsibility and accept the consequences of their actions
Share others frustrations, failures, and disappointments
Deal with reality rather than fantasy
*BIGGEST REASON WHY YOU SHOULD WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE OLDER FOR SERIOUS RELATIONSHIPS*

10. Factors That Influence Marital Success
Age of marriage
Often a sign of emotional maturity
Teen marriages often struggle
Financial stress
Emotional stress
Still figuring yourself out, independence issues
Rushed in to relationship

11. Factors That Influence Marital Success
Social activities/control
Enjoy activities together, common interests
Also enjoy activities with other people without partner feeling insecure or jealous
Parental Approval
Need family support, especially whenever you have children
Attitude toward marriage
Marriage does not mean living “Happily Ever After”…it takes work!
Positive attitude from both partners = long and happy marriage/ positive results

12. Engagement Period
Marks the end of dating and start of life-long journey together
Serves several purposes…
Examine and fine tune relationship
Establish good relationship with future in-laws
Plan wedding
Plan future home
COUPLE NEEDS TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OPENLY ABOUT IMPORTANT ISSUES FOR THEIR FUTURE! Both must be honest and sincere about these issues in order to avoid problems later in the marriage!

13. Issues to Discuss during engagement
Grab a set of discussion topics or a book (page 71)
Read through them with your group and rank them in order of importance to you
Discuss as you go, you will be sharing with the class

14. Wedding Planning This is another function of the engagement period
Social event where friends and family celebrate
CAN BE EXTREMLY STRESSFUL- It’s just one day!
Expensive and can cause financial difficulty
Trying to make both families happy can be a challenge
Making sure that traditions and rituals are observed
Religions are respected in ceremony
Lots of decision making in a short amount of time
American’s fantasize over “The perfect day”, can be hard to live up to those expectations
Important to just focus on close family and partners opinion, make it your perfect day 

15. Making Marriage Work Early marital adjustments
Find out what works and what doesn’t, make changes
Adjust to daily routines
Start to settle into relationships
Less about romantic dates and gifts, more about loving through daily life
Nurture marriage constantly throughout life
Just as life has ups and downs, so will marriage
Love each other through it, remember spouses Love Language
COMMUNICATE when issues arise
Settle as a couple before deciding to have children

16. Check Your Knowledge
The kind of love that is based on the concern a person has for the well-being of another is ___________________ love.
The kind of love that usually reaches its peak during engagement or early marriage when the couple is very emotional towards each other is ____________________ love.
List 3 factors that influence a person’s choice of a marriage partner and marital success.
List 3 functions of the engagement period.
True or false: In a successful marriage, a couple continually grows and changes throughout their lives.

17. Answers Altruistic Romantic
Family background, personal priorities, goals, standards, emotional maturity, age, social activities, parental approval, attitude toward marriage
Examine relationship, establish relationship with in- laws, make wedding plans, plan for future home
true