Slide 1The Meaning of Marriage and FamilyWhat is Marriage?A Brief History of MarriageWhat is Marriage?Shared Features of MarriageMarriage TheoriesMarriage in American SocietyThe Decline of Marriage And Rise of New FamiliesMarriage And Divorce Rates By Country, 2010Forms of MarriageDemographics of MarriageSlide 13Structural Functionalism TheoryStructural Functionalism TheoryConflict TheoryConflict TheoryFeminist PerspectivesFeminist PerspectivesSymbolic Interaction TheorySymbolic Interaction TheoryFamily systems theoryFamily systems theoryDemographics of MarriageDemographics of MarriageSexual Division of LaborModern MarriageSeparate SpheresSeparate SpheresMen as ProvidersIdeals of ManhoodHousehold LaborHousehold Labor“Demise” of the Nuclear FamilyDefining FamilyTypes of FamiliesExtended Families and KinshipFour Functions of the FamilyHow Parenthood Affects MarriageMotherhoodFatherhoodGay and Lesbian Parents and Their ChildrenVideo LinksTheories and Stages of Choosing a SpouseHOW DOES GENDER IMPACT THE PEOPLE WE LIVE OUR LIVES WITH?Chapter EightQuestioning Gender: A Sociological Exploration 2e by Robyn Ryle © 2015 SAGE PublicationsThe Meaning of Marriage and FamilyGender is deeply influenced by the social institutions in our societyOne of the institution that greatly impacts gender is the institution of marriage and familyWhat is Marriage?Q: What is your definition of Marriage? A marriage is a legally recognized union between two people• •The union is assumed to be permanent •may be dissolved by separation or divorceA Brief History of MarriageHistorically, love and marriage were separateoMarriage was linked to political power; could lead to war (e.g., Cleopatra and Marc Antony)Women seen as representing their fathers’ interestsMarriage and children permit alliances to be forgedMarriage was the historical equivalent of the “peace treaty, non-aggression pact, or trade agreement” oMarriage as exchange of women among nations_______________What is Marriage?•Marriage differs among cultures•It has changed historically in our societyShared Features of MarriageDespite cultural and historical variation, the following characteristics seem to be shared among all marriages:1. The establishment of rights and obligations connected to gender, sexuality, relationships with kin and in-laws, and legitimacy of children.2. The establishment of specific roles within the wider community and society. 3. The orderly transfer of wealth and property from one generation to the next.4. The assignment of the responsibility for caring for and socializing children to the spouses or their relativesMarriage TheoriesMarriage has evolved, but why? Competing explanationsProtection theory of marriage: Exploitation theory of marriage: Cooperation theory of marriage:Marriage in American SocietyMarriage has long been the foundation on which American families are constructed.Paul Amato calls this the _____________: some see marriage as “in decline,” while others portray it as dynamic, changing, and resilient.Between 1980 and 2000, the view of marriage as a lifelong relationship received increased support.Yet, more than 40% of new marriages are projected to end in divorce.The Decline of Marriage And Rise of New FamiliesMarriage And Divorce Rates By Country, 2010Source: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Paris, FranceForms of MarriageMonogamyThe only legal form of marriage in the U.S.PolygamyThe preferred marital arrangement worldwidePolygynyPolyandry The current debate about gay marriage illustrates the difficulty in defining marriageMarriage is often used to define adulthood, and shapes how people think about genderDemographics of MarriageDemographics are a way to describe the basic population characteristics of a groupSex ratio is usually expressed as the number of males to females in a given societyMarriage squeeze: The marriage gradient and marriage squeeze can have significant impacts on a society (i.e., migration)Ex: African American women in the U.S.Endogamy: The tendency (sometimes enforced by norms or rules) to marry only others within the same social groupStructural Functionalism TheoryWhen structural functionalists study the family, they look at three aspects: 1. ------Structural functionalism treats society as if it were a living organism, like a person, animal, or tree.Structural Functionalism TheoryCritiques of Structural Functionalism TheoryHow do we know which family functions are vital?Looks at the family abstractly and views the family in terms of functions and roles.It is not always clear what function a particular structure servesIt has conservative bias against changeConflict TheoryConflict theory holds that life involves discord and competitionSociety as divided rather than cooperative unitSources of Conflict in FamiliesMarriages and families are composed of individuals with different personalities, ideas, values, tastes, and goals.Sources of PowerConflict TheoryCritiques of Conflict TheoryConflict theory derives from politics and economics, in which self-interest, egotism, and competition are dominant elements.Conflict theorists do not often talk about the power of love or bonding, yet the presence of love and bonding may distinguish the family from all other groups in society.Feminist PerspectivesFeminists critically examine the ways in which family experience is shaped by gender.Argue that gender and family are concepts created by society.Feminists have an action orientation alongside their analytical one as they strive to raise society’s level of awareness regarding the oppression of women.Feminist PerspectivesCritique of Feminist PerspectivesThe feminist perspective is not a unified theory; rather, it represents thinking across the feminist movement.Some family scholars who conceptualize family life and work as a “calling” have taken issue with feminists’ focus on power and economics as a description of family.Symbolic Interaction TheorySymbolic interaction theory looks at how people interact with one another.What is Interaction?……….We interpret or attach meanings to interactions, situations, roles, relationships and other individuals whenever we encounter them.In marital and family relationships, our interactions are partly structured by social roles.Symbolic