Marriage Flashcards
changing attitudes toward marriage
an increasing number of people consider marriage to be obsolete
engagement
a formal agreement to get married and sends a hands-off message to other interested sexual partners
most common reason for marriage
companionship
significance of a wedding ceremony
acceptance of adult responsibilities
same-sex marriage
lesbians are more likely than gay men to marry
passive-congenial marriage
the partners have little emotional investment in the marriage and few expectations of each other
marital burnout
gradual deterioration of love and ultimate loss of an emotional detachment between partners
self-reports of marital happiness
women report being less happily married than men
marital success factors
similar beliefs, attitudes, values and social backgrounds
marital roles
the specific ways that married people define their behaviour and structure their time
identity bargaining
the process of partners negotiating adjustments to their new married roles
empty nest syndrome
a phenomenon in which parents experience feelings of sadness and loss when the last child leaves home
validation
showing respect for a person who has a different opinion or pov
power
the ability to impose one’s will on others (e.g. influences the decision-making process in the relationship)
scapegoating
1 spouse trying to dishonestly place the blame on the other spouse
stonewalling
one or both partners shutting down when feeling overwhelmed during conflict and rather than confronting the issue, they will be unresponsive, making evasive manoeuvres (tuning out, turning away, or acting busy)
financial conflicts
last longer and are more likely to lead to depressive behaviour and physical aggression
withdrawals
do not provide any resolution at all
prenuptial agreement
an agreement made by a couple before they marry concerning the ownership of their respective assets should the marriage fail
marital satisfaction
a mental state that reflects the perceived benefits and costs of marriage to a particular person
