Topic 4: Marriage Flashcards by Daniel ELLIS

Is polygamy legal in the UK?

No, only monogamy is allowed.

However, a muslim man has never been prosecuted for polygyny.

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What are the different types of polygamy?

Polygyny: Where a man takes multiple wives.
Polyandry: Where a woman takes multiple husbands.

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According to Starkweather and Hames (2012), how many cultural groups practise Polyandry?

80.

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How many polygynous Muslim marriages are there in the UK?

Khan (2014):

Roughly 20,000

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Which marriage type is becoming increasing popular?

Serial monogamy.

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Trends:

Has the marriage rate in the UK been increasing or declining? (Provide stats)

It has been declining at a stable rate:
1972: 480,000 marriages (highest in a year)
2009: 230,000 (lowest in a year)
The general marriage rate has also declined.

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Trends:

People are _______ till they are _____ to get married.

People are waiting till they are older to get married.

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Trends:

What are the average marriage ages for men and women now?

Men - 32.4

Women - 30.3

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Trends:

Men tend to go for ______ women.

Men tend to go for younger women.

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Trends:

Marriage is more popular among the ______ classes.

Marriage is more popular among the middle classes.

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Trends:

What is the different percentage rate between marriages in Social Class 1 and Social Class 7?

2012:
Social Class 1 - 66% get married
Social Class 7 - 44% get married.

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What is my theory as to why marriage is higher in middle classes?

Because there are less people in social class 1.

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Ethnic Variations:

What does Berthoud (2000) note?

By the age of 25, 3/4 of Pakistani and Bangladeshi women are married.
Compared to white women where this is only 1/2.

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Ethnic Variations:

What does Berthoud reason is the reason for the marriage disparity?

He puts it down to powerful cultural and religious expectations.

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Ethnic Variations:

Which ethnic group is least likely to marry?

Black African-Caribbeans:

2011: 39% under the age of 60 are married vs 60% of White Brits.

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Ethnic Variations:

Which ethnic group is the LEAST likely to intermarry?

South Asians - this is usually due to religious and cultural reasons. Further, it is this group which has the highest number of arranged marriages.

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Ethnic Variations:

Which ethnic group is the MOST likely to intermarry?

Black people:
African-Caribbean = 30% of men married to white women.
Non African-Caribbean = 47% of men are married to white women.

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New Right Concerns about the decline in marriage:

Why does Patricia Morgan (2000) believe marriage is centrally important to society?

Married men work better as their main priority is providing for his family.
It regulates promiscuity and encourages commitment.
It is good for the health of adults.

New Right Concerns about the decline in marriage:

Why does Rector (2014) blame social policies?

Welfare benefits promote single parenthood as marriage isn’t a financial incentive - the state is replacing the husband.
It is a destructive feedback loop: the decline in marriage means more welfare is needed.

New Right Concerns about the decline in marriage:

How has secularisation led to marriage decline?

Marriage is no longer seen as sacred.

Adultery and divorce are not as shameful as they used to be.

What is secularisation?

The decline in the influence of religion on society and its values.

Critique of the New Right position:

What do feminists claim about the evolving state of marriage?

People seek more egalitarian marriages.
Askham (1984):
Spouses saw negotiation and compromise as essential - domination of one party was seen as destructive to a relationship.

Critique of the New Right position:

What does the delay in marriage show about society’s views towards the institution?

People delay it because it is seen as more important - people are less carefree when it comes to marriage; see it as a major commitment.
Marriage is still the Gold Standard for many.

Critique of the New Right position:

What evidence is there to show that marriage is still popular?

40% of marriages are remarriages.

It demonstrates that marriage is still popular despite previous negative experiences - people are not giving up on it.

Critique of the New Right position: | How does cost affect the decision to marry?

Due to the constant recession and austerity in the Western world, getting married is extremely expensive for those in social class 7 - some prefer to cohabit and save up for it.

Cohabitation: | According to the ONS in 2012, how many people were cohabitating?

5.9 million people. | This is double the amount in 1996.

Cohabitation: | Why is it a concern for Morgan?

She believes it is replacing marriage. | 'Marriage lite' - it is less fulfilling and more depressed, stressed, unfaithful and abusive.

Cohabitation: | What did Murphy's findings in 2007 show?

Murphy (2007) studied ONS data and found that children of cohabitating couples do worse at school and often leave earlier.

Cohabitation: | What was the ONS data on dependent children in 2012?

39% of heterosexual cohabiting couples had dependent kids, contrast to 38% of married couples (had more kids tho).

Cohabitation: | How many children were born out of wedlock in 2012 compared to 1938?

1938 - 4% | 2012 - 47.5%

Cohabitation: | What does the New Right say about the amount of children born out of wedlock?

They call it the final nail in the coffin of the nuclear family.

Cohabitation: | Why is the data on dependent children misleading?

Because married couples, on average, have more children than cohabiting couples.

Cohabitation: | What do Beaujoan and Ni Bhrolchain say (2011)?

They criticise the New Right: - Cohabitation is normal now and isn't replacing marriage. - Instead, they are "trial runs" to screen out weaker relationships. - Due to this, there are less marriages ending before the 5th anniversary.

Types of Marriage: | What is an arranged marriage?

It is consensual - there is a discussion and both parties must consent. Epstein (2011): They are more stable as time goes on as they weren't built on lust - love strengthens as time goes on.

Types of Marriage: | Which groups practice arranged marriages?

Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, and Orthodox Jews.

Types of Marriage: | What is a Love Marriage?

It is a "traditional" heterosexual marriage.

Types of Marriage: | What are forced marriages?

Marriages that don't involve consent but are done under duress - if refused, they can result in "honour crimes" (abduction, acid attacks, mutilation, murder).

Types of Marriage: | Are forced marriages legal in the UK?

No, but they still take place. | 2013: 1,302 but the Forced Marriage Unit estimates that it is closer to 8,000 a year.

Types of Marriage: | How many honour crimes were reported to the police in 2010?

2,823

What does Peter HItchens say about the State and marriage?

He believes the state is interfering too much in family life and marriage.

The Divorce Reform Act has done what, according to Hitchens?

The Law is actively destroying the contract of marriage. The Act has led to fewer marriages and fewer enduring marriages. The Law takes away the sanctity of marriage.

Legally, marriage is what, in Hitchen's view?

Legally, marriage is dead: it means virtually nothing - it can be so easily dismantled.

Which institution is standing up for marriage and private life?

The Church - Hitchens believes in a return to Christian values.