A Courtship After Marriage HirschSome Thought QuestionsSlide 3Decision Making ProcessesJennifer HirschResearch QuestionsConceptsConcepts ContinuedCauses of the Shift to Companionate MarriageOther ChangesA Courtship After MarriageHirschSome Thought Questions•1. Do you plan to marry? Why or why not?•2. At what age do you want to marry?•3. Is it important that you love the man/woman you marry?•3. Do you plan to have children? Why or why not?•5. Are your choices made freely?•4. How might culture, gender norms, and economics influence your decisions?Decision Making Processes•Marital and reproductive decisions follow clear and detectable patterns.•Demographics: Birth rateMarriage ratesAge at marriageAge at birth of 1st childNumber of children•Dimensions of decision making processes:Cultural normsStructure (economics, political policy, law)Agency (choices made w/in a range of options)Historical time frame & social changeJennifer Hirsch•What is her key research question?•Who is she speaking with (research participants)?•Where is her research conducted and why?Research Questions•How does migration change gender relations?•How does migration change the experience of marriage and family planning (fertility) choices?•Note: Importance of understanding gender change in sending community before understanding gender changes in U.S.•In other words: Migration is a 2-way street—migrants are changed by U.S. culture & returning migrants change sending community.Concepts•Transnational communityPg 58•Gender (social constructionist view)Gender norms are fluidGender identity constructed through marriageStructure/Agency (both influence gender norms/identity)•Sexuality (social constructionist view)Attitudes toward sexual intimacy changeExperiences of the sexual body influenced by history/cultureSexuality constructed through marriageConcepts Continued•ModernDistinct from the pastA break with traditionConnotes something better but,Does not equate to progressive/gender equity•Companionate MarriageShift from blood/obligation to love/passion/sexualityAffect (emotion) emphasized•Companionate marriage and barganing strategies [gender/marital goals forged w/in material constrains (resources)]Causes of the Shift to Companionate Marriage•Structural ChangesEconomics (industrial to service economy)Feminization of workplace (more women work)Leads to:Delayed childbearingLater age at marriage•Demographic ChangesDecline in infant mortalityIncreased adult life expectancyThus, couples will spend time together w/o children•Psychological GratificationIncreased education changes lifestyle/expectationsOther Changes•Neo-local householdsNewly married couples home separate from extended family.Companionate marriage & social