1. Peer Marriage

2. Peer marriages differ from traditional marriage in four key aspects: Men and women regard the other as a full social equal Men and women regard the other as a full social equal Both pursue careers Both pursue careers Equal authority for finances and decision making Equal authority for finances and decision making Husbands assume greater responsibility for child rearing than the traditional husband Husbands assume greater responsibility for child rearing than the traditional husband

3. Traditional marriage Conservatives that support the traditional model of marriage argue that role- differentiated marriage increases family stability Conservatives that support the traditional model of marriage argue that role- differentiated marriage increases family stability

4. Advantages/effects of Peer Marriage Two incomes Two incomes More emphasis on emotional happiness of both partners More emphasis on emotional happiness of both partners Men will increasingly seek economic stability in a partner (Sugar Daddy becomes Sugar Momma) Men will increasingly seek economic stability in a partner (Sugar Daddy becomes Sugar Momma)

5. Secret to Peer Marriage Joint child rearing is key: Joint child rearing is key: More participation by men equal more attachment to children More participation by men equal more attachment to children Wives are more grateful Wives are more grateful It becomes harder for either partner to leave It becomes harder for either partner to leave Children benefit from attention from both parents Children benefit from attention from both parents

6. Difficulties in establishing a stable peer marriage It is often hard to avoid role differentiation It is often hard to avoid role differentiation Gender based organization of jobs and hierarchies in society Gender based organization of jobs and hierarchies in society Men need to learn to be more involved in parenting Men need to learn to be more involved in parenting Women need to be more assertive and demand equality earlier in relationships Women need to be more assertive and demand equality earlier in relationships

7. For Peer Marriage to become a dominant theme Society needs to offer the cultural and structural support to permit both men and women to contribute equally. This includes media portrayal of both sexes as equal providers and participants in the family structure. Society needs to offer the cultural and structural support to permit both men and women to contribute equally. This includes media portrayal of both sexes as equal providers and participants in the family structure.

8. Duh!!!!!!/Dah!!!!!!!! There is a close connection between marital stability and happiness in marriage There is a close connection between marital stability and happiness in marriage

9. Questions 1. How do you think cohabitation affects children? 1. How do you think cohabitation affects children? 2. Many people stay in unhealthy relationships for the children’s sake. How do you feel about this? 2. Many people stay in unhealthy relationships for the children’s sake. How do you feel about this? 3. Do you think cohabitation will ever become a substitution to marriage? 3. Do you think cohabitation will ever become a substitution to marriage? 4. Are there negative effects or aspects of peer marriage? 4. Are there negative effects or aspects of peer marriage? 5. Is it even possible to have an equal (50/50) marriage/relationship? 5. Is it even possible to have an equal (50/50) marriage/relationship?