Chapter 7 Diversity in Marriage Relationship Motivations for and Functions of Marriage Marriage as a Commitment Marriage as a Rite of Passage Changes after marriage Racial/Cultural Marital Diversity Successful Marriages

Motivations for Marriage Personal fulfillment Companionship Parenthood Security

Societal Functions of Marriage Bind male and female together for reproduction of offspring. Provide for physical care of young. Regulate sexual behavior. Emotional support.

Traditional Marriage Wife not expected to earn income. Wife takes husband’s name. Husband initiates sex. Wife takes care of children. Education important for husband only. Husband’s career decides family residence.

Egalitarian Marriage Wife expected to earn income. Wife keeps maiden name. Either spouse initiates sex Both parents take care of children. Education important to both spouses. Career of either spouse determines family residence.

Marriage Myths 1. Our marriage will be different. Marital happiness declines for all couples. 2. We will make each other happy. Spouse affected by work, children, health. 3. Disagreements will not be serious. Some will end marriage.

Marriage Myths 4. Spouse is all I need. Emotional, physical needs cannot always be satisfied by spouse. 5. Greater love equals less conflict. Just the opposite.

Marriage: Personal Changes Enhanced self-concept. More regular hours. Disenchantment (from dream to reality). Shift focus from relationship to work. Loss of freedom.

Marriage: Legal Changes Spouses become co-owners in whatever is obtained after the marriage. Spouses typically awarded (in divorce cases) half of assets accumulated during marriage. Spouses legally responsible for support of any children they have.

Marriage: Sexual Changes Spouses are more sexually faithful than persons in dating or cohabitation relationships. Sexual frequency declines but emotional and physical satisfaction are higher for spouses than nonspouses.

Characteristics of Successful Marriage Commitment Common interests Communication Religiosity Trust

Characteristics of Successful Marriage Nonmaterialistic, disciplined and flexible with work schedules. Role models: happy parents. Low stress Sexual desire

Family Life Cycle Marital happiness highest in the beginning (recently married/no children). Less satisfaction during the childrearing stages. More satisfaction when children leave home. Husbands more satisfied than wives.

Unhappy/Unstable Marriages 7% of husbands and wives are unhappy with each other but intend to stay married. Reasons: – Children – Belief that divorce would be greater misery – Moral commitment to marriage