Marriage Readings Flashcards
1
Q
What cultural changes have made marriage less stable for moderately educated Americans?
A
Moderately educated Americans are less likely to follow values like waiting for what they want (delayed gratification), focusing on education, and practicing self-control. These values are important for personal and marital success, so their decline has made marriage less stable in this group.
2
Q
What is the “success sequence” embraced by highly educated Americans?
A
It is a norm that prioritizes education, work, marriage, and childbearing in sequence to maximize family success.
3
Q
What belief is central to the “marriage cure” idea?
A
Promoting and strengthening marriage can reduce poverty.
4
Q
What were the main focuses of the marriage movement in the late 20th and early 21st centuries?
A
Improving marriage, encouraging stable family structures, and supporting healthy relationships.
5
Q
What are “intimate inequalities” as described by sociologist Ken Plummer?
A
“Intimate inequalities” are inequalities in personal areas of life, like marriage and relationships, that affect things like money, social benefits, and social acceptance.
6
Q
What is the “marriage gap”?
A
A disparity where economically advantaged individuals are more likely to marry and stay married compared to those near or below the poverty line.
7
Q
How do changing family patterns contribute to class inequalities?
A
Patterns like single parenthood and cohabitation are more common among low-income groups, perpetuating economic disadvantages.
8
Q
What ideological debate surrounds the significance of marriage in the U.S.?
A
Conservatives view changes as moral failures undermining marriage, while others see these changes as adaptations to social and economic shifts.
9
Q
What is unique about the U.S. marriage culture, according to Andrew Cherlin?
A
Americans simultaneously value stable lifelong marriage and individual fulfillment, leading to high marriage and divorce rates.
10
Q
What are the goals of the marriage movement?
A
To encourage marriage, discourage divorce, improve relationships, and address social issues like single parenthood and high divorce rates.
11
Q
What is “marriage education”?
A
Programs teaching couples relationship skills to improve communication, conflict resolution, and financial management.
12
Q
How do marriage education programs differ from couples therapy?
A
Marriage education involves group-based workshops, while therapy is individualized with a psychologist.
13
Q
What are the criticisms of the marriage movement’s focus on low-income Americans?
A
It overlooks economic and job-market realities that influence decisions about marriage and family.
14
Q
What was the Healthy Marriage Initiative (HMI)?
A
A federal program providing funding to promote marriage and reduce poverty through relationship education.
15
Q
What were the findings of the Building Strong Families (BSF) evaluation?
A
Most BSF programs had no impact on marriage rates or significant improvements in relationships.
16
Q
What do critics argue is the real issue behind low marriage rates among the poor?
A
Economic and social hardships, not a lack of value for marriage.
17
Q
How did scholars like Kathryn Edin and Maria Kefalas view marriage among low-income women?
A
They see marriage as highly valued but often unattainable due to financial instability and unmet pre-marriage milestones.
18
Q
What role did government policies play in the marriage movement?
A
Policies aimed to promote marriage as a poverty-reduction strategy but faced limited success in achieving these goals.
19
Q
What societal trends did the marriage movement seek to counter?
A
Trends like high cohabitation rates, nonmarital childbearing, and single parenthood.
20
Q
What were some initiatives promoted by the marriage movement?
A
Divorce reform, marriage education, fatherhood initiatives, and opposition to same-sex marriage.
21
Q
What was the federal government’s focus in relationship programs since 2002?
A
Strengthening relationships and promoting marriage, especially targeting low-income, unmarried couples expecting or raising a new baby.
22
Q
What is the “magic moment” in the context of marriage promotion?
A
The time around a child’s birth, seen as an opportunity for couples to marry and create a stable family.
23
Q
Why do low-income couples delay marriage, according to Randles’ research?
A
Due to curtailed commitment: the belief that they need to meet middle-class family norms, including economic stability, before marrying.
24
Q
How did parents benefit from co-parenting and communication classes?
A
They felt empowered, recognized shared struggles, and learned skills in a supportive, judgment-free environment.
25
Why was applying classroom skills challenging for low-income parents?
Material constraints such as lack of time, crowded living conditions, and financial struggles made implementation difficult.
26
What major ideas of marriage-promotion policy did low-income parents reject?
That married families are inherently healthier and that marriage leads to economic self-sufficiency.
27
What did low-income parents say about financial management advice in classes?
It was unhelpful; they already knew how to manage their limited finances effectively.
28
How does marriage-promotion policy contribute to intimate inequalities?
Marriage-promotion policies blame individuals for not being married while ignoring larger problems like poverty, lack of jobs, and unaffordable housing that many low-income families face. These policies often take money away from programs that provide direct support, like childcare assistance, healthcare, or job training, and instead use it for marriage-focused initiatives. As a result, families miss out on meaningful help, and inequality grows worse.
29
What state pioneered a statewide marriage-promotion initiative?
Oklahoma, starting in 2000 with $10 million from TANF funds (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).
30
Who mainly attended Oklahoma Marriage Initiative classes?
White, middle-class couples, even though the funding was intended for low-income families.
31
What was the "marriage initiative puzzle" Heath explored?
Why funds meant for needy families were used for marriage workshops targeting middle-class populations.
32
What logic supports the "marriage cure" idea?
That marriage could be a cost-effective way to lift families out of poverty by combining incomes.
33
Why did marriage workshops fail to reduce poverty, according to Heath and Randles?
They did not address the structural challenges preventing low-income couples from achieving economic stability.
34
What was Diane Sollee's role in the marriage movement?
She founded the Coalition for Marriage, Family, and Couples Education (CMFCE) and the annual Smart Marriages conference.
35
What replaced Smart Marriages in 2010?
The National Association for Relationship and Marriage Educators (NARME).
36
How did marriage education conferences reveal the movement's focus?
They emphasized individual relationships and cultural values over structural or economic issues.
37
Why do marriage educators dismiss evidence showing their programs' limited efficacy?
They rely on anecdotal evidence and internal studies rather than independent, structural analyses.
38
What foundational issue limits marriage education as an antipoverty strategy?
It focuses on individual behavior without addressing systemic inequalities like economic insecurity.
39
How do modern Canadians approach marriage and monogamy?
Many Canadians are rethinking lifelong monogamy, with 41% of marriages ending before the 30th anniversary. Some opt for common-law relationships or living separately instead of traditional marriage.
40
Why do Canadians continue to marry despite growing skepticism?
Marriage remains popular for its social recognition, symbolism of adulthood, and benefits like passing on a shared estate to children. Most Canadians marry for love, often choosing partners who are their best friends and confidants.
41
How has the meaning of marriage evolved in Canada?
Marriage has shifted from being about strict duty to encompassing diverse personal meanings. Historically, it empowered husbands, suppressed wives, and excluded interracial and same-sex couples, but it now represents a broader spectrum of values.
42
What were some restrictions and inequalities in early Canadian marriage laws?
Married women lacked property and legal rights, needing their husband’s permission for many actions until reforms began in the late 19th century. Interracial couples and same-sex partners faced legal and social barriers to marrying.
43
What milestone in marriage law reform occurred in 1872 in Ontario?
Ontario granted married women the right to earn and control their own wages, marking the start of property rights reforms for wives in Canada.
44
What was controversial about marrying a deceased wife’s sister in 19th-century Canada?
This practice was considered incestuous by some lawmakers and feared by feminists as it might sexualize family relationships. It was legalized for men in 1882 but remained illegal for women until 1923.
45
How did the 1919 amendment to the Female Refuges Act affect women?
It allowed Ontario officials to imprison unwed, pregnant women for "morality offenses," often targeting poor, uneducated women or victims of abuse, reflecting severe gender and racial biases.
46
When were Canadian women granted equal grounds for divorce?
In 1925, women were allowed to divorce on the same grounds as men, primarily adultery, whereas previously they had to prove additional offenses like desertion or cruelty.
47
How did the Irene Murdoch case highlight inequalities in family law?
After 25 years of labor on her husband’s ranch, Murdoch was denied a share of the property during their divorce, sparking national outrage and demands for family law reform to treat spouses as equals.
48
What challenges did same-sex couples face in gaining marriage rights?
Couples like Richard North and Chris Vogel held unofficial ceremonies as early as the 1970s but were denied legal recognition for decades. They faced persistent discrimination even after legalization in their provinces.
49
What significant legal change did Bill C-127 introduce in 1983?
It made spousal sexual assault a crime in Canada, recognizing for the first time that marital rape is an offense.
50
How did the Indian Act of 1876 discriminate against Indigenous women?
It stripped Indigenous women of their status if they married non-Indigenous men, leading to loss of rights such as living on reserves.
51
What was the significance of Evelyne St-Onge's fight against the Indian Act?
Her efforts contributed to the 1985 changes that allowed Indigenous women to regain their status, ending decades of discrimination.
52
What major change to divorce laws occurred in 1986?
The introduction of no-fault divorce in Canada, allowing couples to divorce after living apart for one year without proving wrongdoing.
53
What was notable about Wayne Gretzky's wedding in 1988?
It sparked public fascination, with 5,000 fans attending to catch a glimpse of the lavish ceremony.
54
How did the 2001 wedding of Elaine and Anne Vautour impact LGBTQ+ rights?
It was an early step in the fight to legalize same-sex marriage in Canada, although their marriage wasn't officially recognized until 2003.
55
What was the landmark 1993 decision by the Supreme Court of Canada regarding domestic work?
It recognized that domestic work has economic value and awarded Catherine Peter a share of family assets after her common-law relationship ended.
56
When did same-sex marriage become legal across Canada, and what legislation enabled this?
In 2005, with the passage of the Civil Marriage Act, making Canada one of the first countries to legalize gay marriage.
57
What is unique about annulments compared to divorces, as seen in the 2016 McCain case?
Annulments claim a marriage lacked "free and enlightened consent," potentially nullifying it as if it never occurred.
58
How did British Columbia's 2013 Family Law Act change the rights of common-law partners?
It granted common-law partners who lived together for two years the same rights as married couples, including property sharing.
58
How has the likelihood of marriage changed for college-educated women over time?
Historically, college-educated women were less likely to marry, but today they are just as likely to marry as other women and are less likely to divorce.
58
What was the cultural impact of Toronto hosting a mass same-sex wedding during WorldPride in 2014?
The event highlighted global LGBTQ+ rights and encouraged international couples to bring the fight for equality to their home countries.
58
What historical reversal regarding marriage rates was highlighted?
Women with less education were traditionally more likely to marry, but now college-educated women are more likely to marry and stay married.
59
How do economic factors impact marriage rates among less-educated individuals?
Rising economic expectations for marriage and declining prospects for less-educated workers reduce their likelihood of marriage.
59
How do marriage patterns differ between black and white women?
Black women with college degrees surpass less-educated black women in marriage rates, while white women's marriage rates are less influenced by education level.
59
What is the relationship between education level and the likelihood of divorce?
Divorce rates are lower among college graduates due to factors like marrying later and having greater economic stability.
59
How do marriage patterns differ by age for people with varying education levels?
Less-educated individuals marry earlier, but college-educated individuals catch up and surpass them in marriage rates by their 30s and 40s.
59
How has the traditional view of marriage roles for women evolved?
Women no longer see financial dependence on men as essential and prioritize equal partnerships in marriage.
59
What values do young women today balance in their family and career aspirations?
They strive to "have it all," seeking both fulfilling careers and family lives while making career decisions compatible with raising children.
59
What are the "currently married" figures, and how do they differ by education?
"Currently married" figures exclude divorced individuals. College graduates are more likely to remain currently married due to lower divorce rates.
59
What factors contribute to higher marriage rates among college-educated women?
Delaying marriage for education and career, better economic stability, and lower divorce rates contribute to higher marriage rates among college-educated women.
59
What role does education play in marriage patterns among black men?
Black male college graduates are much more likely to marry than black men with less education, especially by age 45.
59
What qualities do women today most value in a marriage?
Communication, friendship, equality, honesty, partnership, compromise, and openness.
59
How do marriage rates and timing differ between men and women?
Men typically marry later than women, and highly educated men catch up in marriage rates sooner than highly educated women.
60
How do modern women’s marital satisfaction levels compare to their parents'?
Many women today report higher marital satisfaction compared to their parents.
60
How has the definition of "family" broadened in recent years?
It includes diverse arrangements beyond the traditional male-female nuclear family, recognizing working parents, single parents, and LGBTQ+ families.
60
How has marriage itself changed despite traditional ideals persisting in some areas?
Women enter marriage with more power and higher expectations, emphasizing partnership over dependence.
60
How do attitudes toward gender roles in marriage differ between generations?
Younger generations show more egalitarian values, influenced by the women's movement, though changes in men's attitudes lagged behind women's.
60
What major societal shifts influenced the evolution of women's roles in marriage?
Increased workforce participation during WWII, the women's movement of the 1960s and 1970s, higher education levels, and changing divorce norms.
61
What do surveys suggest about priorities in a successful marriage?
Respect, love, communication, and fidelity rank higher than financial security for both men and women.
62
How has society's view of women’s potential and roles shifted over time?
Once narrowly defined by domestic roles, women are now seen as capable of balancing careers and family, with greater societal support for gender equality.
63
How has the perception of marriage changed for professional career women?
Career women now view marriage positively, often marrying later when it won't interfere with their careers and having fewer children later in life.
64
How have gender roles in marriage evolved for women?
Marriage no longer requires women to retreat into domestic roles or sacrifice their ambitions. Instead, they can maintain their professional identities and seek partnerships based on equality.
65
What societal changes have enabled more egalitarian marriages?
Younger men are more willing to share housework and child-rearing, and workplaces have become more family-friendly, particularly for affluent individuals.
66
How have attitudes toward interracial and interfaith marriages shifted?
They are increasingly accepted, with significant growth in interracial and interfaith marriages over recent decades.
67
What statistics reflect the increase in interracial marriages in the U.S.?
The number of interracial marriages increased by 800% between 1960 and 1990. In 1993, 12.1% of black marriages were to white partners, up from 2.6% in 1970.
68
What is emphasized in modern premarriage counseling?
Communication is key, with couples discussing practical aspects of their future lives, such as sharing chores and managing finances.
69
How do modern women’s expectations for communication in marriage differ from past generations?
Women now emphasize open communication and equal partnership, breaking away from traditional passive roles.
70
How has friendship between genders changed among younger generations?
Men and women are more likely to form platonic friendships, reducing gender-based social barriers seen in older generations.
71
How has the role of sexual fulfillment in marriage changed?
Sexual fulfillment has become a priority for both partners, with greater emphasis on experimentation and mutual satisfaction.
72
What is the impact of diminished tolerance for adultery in younger generations?
Younger men have fewer affairs, focusing on commitment and novelty within their marriages rather than seeking alternatives.
73
How have women’s demands transformed the roles of husbands and fathers?
Women expect men to share housework and child-rearing responsibilities, with surveys showing broad agreement on these expectations.
74
How did fathers' roles in the family evolve in the 1980s and 1990s?
Fathers became more involved in home and child care, with men in 1997 contributing 75% as much time as women to household work, up from 30% in 1977.
75
What societal changes reflected increased father involvement?
Increased father presence in delivery rooms (90%), books and magazines aimed at fathers, and men prioritizing family over career in surveys.
76
How did government data reflect fathers' growing role in child care?
A 1994 Census Bureau report showed a rise in fathers caring for preschoolers (from 15% in 1988 to 20% in 1991), reducing the need for paid daycare.
77
What challenges did fathers face in more involved parenting roles?
Resistance from traditional family expectations and workplace limitations, but some, like Gary, adjusted careers for family time.
78
How did the workplace impact gender roles in parenting?
White-collar workplaces were more supportive of family-friendly policies, while many workplaces still lacked child care and family leave options.
79
How do modern couples define their roles compared to their parents?
Couples today actively discuss and customize their roles based on their strengths, needs, and values, rather than relying on traditional gender-based models like fathers automatically being the breadwinners, for instance. They prioritize equality, open communication, and shared responsibilities, while valuing emotional and intellectual compatibility to build a more balanced partnership.
80
What conflicts arise in modern marriages with dual careers?
Couples often face compromises, relocation challenges, and debates about career prioritization, especially in highly specialized fields.
81
Why are many modern couples delaying having children?
Couples focus on their relationships, education, financial stability, and avoiding daycare for young children.
82
How do traditional family values clash with evolving gender roles?
Groups like the Religious Right and Promise Keepers resist changes in family dynamics, advocating for male leadership while opposing shared power.
83
What external factors contribute to family challenges?
Global economic pressures, unemployment, and financial strain weaken family stability, often misattributed to a lack of "family values."
84
What paradox defines family research on marriage trends?
Despite fewer years spent in marriage and the availability of alternatives, Americans remain strongly committed to the ideal of marriage.
85
What is the focus of recent marriage research?
The meanings young people attach to marriage and how they establish commitments.
86
How does the extended transition to adulthood influence marriage?
It explains marriage's continued relevance despite societal changes, as young adults navigate prolonged paths to traditional markers of adulthood.
87
What structural realities shape marriage in emerging adulthood?
Prolonged education, delayed full-time employment, and challenges in establishing independent households.
88
Who are "marriage naturalists"?
Individuals, often in rural areas, who view marriage as a natural progression of a relationship without extensive preparation.
89
Who are "marriage planners"?
Individuals, often in metropolitan areas, who delay marriage to achieve personal and professional goals first.
90
How does geography affect marriage trends?
Rural areas encourage earlier marriage due to lower living costs and supportive social norms, while metropolitan areas delay marriage due to economic pressures and lifestyle differences.
91
Why do marriage planners use cohabitation and other arrangements?
As placeholders while pursuing education, career, and personal maturity.
92
What are the three historical eras of marriage identified by Cherlin (2004)?
Institutionalized marriage, companionate marriage, and individualized marriage.
93
What is deinstitutionalization of marriage?
The weakening of social norms defining marriage, despite its enduring symbolic significance.
94
What are two major gaps in current marriage research?
The subjective meaning of marriage for diverse young adults and the underutilization of a life course perspective.
95
What was the method used for studying marriage perceptions?
Qualitative interviews with 424 young adults across diverse socioeconomic, racial, and geographic backgrounds.
96
What limitation exists in the study's sample?
An underrepresentation of African Americans and no participants from southern states.
97
Why is the immigrant experience significant in the sample?
It represents a growing population segment and provides insight into cultural influences on marriage.
98
What questions were asked to those who were married or partnered in the study?
"How did you decide to get married/move in together? In what ways is your relationship like previous relationships?"
99
What questions were asked to those who were not partnered in the study?
"What kinds of things do you look for in a relationship? What kind of person would you like to commit to or marry? When do you think this will happen?"
100
What two categories emerged from the data regarding views on marriage?
Marriage naturalists and marriage planners.
101
What characterizes "marriage naturalists"?
Marriage naturalists view marriage as the inevitable next step in a romantic relationship, often marrying early, and see marriage as part of a structured life path.
102
Where are marriage naturalists primarily located?
Marriage naturalists are predominantly from rural Iowa and tend to stay or return to small towns.
103
Why do marriage naturalists tend to marry early?
Due to the social and economic conditions in rural areas, including a lower cost of living and earlier economic independence, which allow for earlier marriage and childrearing.
104
How do marriage naturalists view the role of marriage in their lives?
Marriage is seen as a key life goal and a natural part of growing up, with a strong belief in a prescribed life schedule (e.g., marry by a certain age).
105
How do marriage planners differ from marriage naturalists?
Marriage planners believe marriage can only occur after the relationship is thoroughly tested, and they prioritize educational and economic goals before marriage.
106
What impact does higher education have on views about marriage?
Higher education, especially attending 4-year colleges, tends to delay marriage as young people focus on their studies and career goals.
107
How does living in a small town influence views on marriage?
Small-town life often leads to the belief that marriage is the next logical step due to limited social options and fewer competing goals.
108
How has the perception of marriage changed since the 1970s?
Marriage is less likely to occur, with more couples choosing to live common-law. People who marry today do so later in life.
109
What were the statistics for marriage and common-law unions in Canada in 2021?
56.9% of people aged 15+ were in married or common-law couples. 77% of couples living together were married, down from 94% in 1981.
110
How has the average age at marriage changed in Canada?
The average age at marriage increased from 31.3 years in 1994 to 34.8 years in 2020. First marriages also became later, rising from 27.8 to 31.2 years.
111
What factors contribute to later marriages in Canada?
Social, economic, and cultural factors, including increased higher education, delayed career establishment, economic challenges, and the rise of common-law unions.
112
How has the concept of marriage changed in relation to family life?
Marriage was once the norm for forming a family, but now it is no longer a prerequisite for living together or having children, with more people opting for common-law unions.
113
How has marriage changed across generations in Canada?
In 2021, 44.3% of people aged 15+ were married, down from 54.1% in 1991. The decline is more pronounced among people under 50.
114
What is the crude marriage rate, and how has it changed?
The crude marriage rate dropped from 6.1 marriages per 1,000 people in 1991 to 2.6 per 1,000 in 2020, partly due to COVID-19 restrictions.
115
How do marriage trends differ by region in Canada?
Quebec and Nunavut have lower marriage rates compared to the national average, with 57.3% and 48.2% of couples married in 2021, respectively.
116
How do marriage rates differ between same-gender and different-gender couples?
In 2021, 37.3% of same-gender couples were married, compared to 77.8% of different-gender couples.
117
What are the key factors behind the decline in marriage rates?
Preferences for common-law unions, population aging, the decline of religious influence, and later marriages.
118
How does the shift to later marriages impact relationships?
The delay in marriage allows individuals to pursue personal goals first and may lead to longer-lasting marriages as the risk of divorce decreases with age.
