Family Issues TodaySame sex marriage, teen pregnancy, body image, childless parents, single-blended families, in vitro-fertilization, singles, older mothers, birth control, working in old age, abortion, remarriage, gender equality, divorce rate, domestic violenceDoes society historically put limitations on marriage? Yes- Interracial, age, hetero/homo, regulation of sex (w/your partner or with other many)Same Sex Marriage DebateArguments for…• “all men are created equal”• Access to same benefits• Legally recognized marriage• Legitimacy of children• There is no such thing as traditional marriageFactors influencing legality- Who is your partner?- Incest - Age - Blood testKinship System: Pattern of relationships that define people’s family relationships to one anotherFeatures of kinship system:- # of marriage partners permitted at one time- Who is permitted to marry whom descent is determined- How property is passed on- Where the family resides- How power is distributedWho can get married?- Couple who is 18 years of age o Nebraska (19)o Mississippi (21)- The majority of states allow marriages to individuals under 18 (14-18) with parental and/or court consentDefense of marriage Act (1996)-- DOMA1. Marriage means a legal union between a man and a woman2. The states may make their own decision concerning marriageNumber of Marriage Partners- Polygamy- men or women having more than one marital partners o Polygyny- more than one wifeo Polyandry- more than one husbando Group Marriage- multiple husbands and wives at the same timeo Open Marriage- Allowed to have sex with other people/swinging- Monogamy- men or women having only one marital partner at a timeWhy Polygamy?- Men are driven to multiply- Created men to have many wives and many children- Women in polygamous households have fewer responsibilities than women in nuclear two parent familiesModern MarriageEngagement- Creates a relationship goal (marriage)- Takes you off the market- Time to examine relationship- Time to plan the wedding- Meet extended family- Pre-wedding classesAverage length: 13-18 monthsPrenuptial Agreements- 5-15% of marriages- Protects assets- 44% of singles feel it’s a good idea- 49% of divorcees feel it is a good ideaMarriage as a Commitment- Human beings have a natural desire to commit to another- Date an average 25 months before marrying- Average marriage lasts 13.6 years- Marriages that end in divorce last on average between 4-7 yearsMarriage as a Sacrament- ¾ of all marriages & 3/5 of all remarriages took place in some type of religious ceremony- Civil weddings are on the rise- Religious significanceMarriage as a legal contract- Marriage is a legally binding agreement- Financial agreement- States define marriage laws- Traditionally, men have been favor in marriage lawso Propertyo Financeso Sex and disciplineo Child custodyAverage Cost of Wedding in US= $31,213The Principle of Legitimacy- The social and legal recognition of children- Marriage identifies paternity- Concerns include:- Focus on father- Many married couples today do not have or want childrenWhy do people marry?- Love (most common)- Companionship- Desire to have children- Happiness- Money- Convenience- Dependence- Fear of contracting AIDS - CompatibilityCultural symbols of marriage- Dress- Ring- Kids- Home- FlowersWedding vows- Obey removed from most vowsResidence- Husband has legal right to decide residence- Husband’s residence has legal priority over hers- Relocation and Abandonment- In some states, women can apply for a separate householdProperty Rights- Prof or ownership- Without proof, property is husband’s—especially if wife is a homemaker (includes bank account)- Community Property Systemo AZ, CA, Idaho, Louisiana, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI, AlaskaLaws- Conjugal Rights (“Right to sex”)- The right to rape your wife- Husband does not have to compensate wife for homemaking- Wife has legal right to be supported by husbando Whatever manner he chooses- no legal ramification As a result…- More prenuptial agreements- Hyphenated last names/continue with maiden name- Dual earner incomesInterracial Marriage- 8.4% of all marriages- White/ Hispanic 43%- White/ Asian 14.4%- Black/ White 11.9%o 71% are African American husband, white wife- Legalized in 1967 Loving vs. Virginia - 53.6% of babies born in 2009 were whiteInterfaith Marriages- Religious fear this weakens faith- Slightly higher divorce rate than same faith- Tend to have more conflict and cultural differencesParenting- $241,080 to raise one child to 18 years of age (College not included)Sex Preference- Determining sex before birth- Gender clinics- Global pressure to conceive sons- China, Indi- Tendency toward male children is globalFeatures of Kinship• Number of marriage partners permitted at one time• Who is permitted to marry whom• How descent is determined• How property is passed on • Where the family residesYou can Marry you first cousin in Illinois if you are sterile or over 50Half and Whole bloodThe majority of states allow 18 year olds to get married w/o consent DOA 1996 What is it? Federal definition of marriage -BILL CLINTON, arguments for and against gay marriageCivil union- only one. At least 18, and you’re not closely relatedPolygyny- more than one wifePlural marriage- PC termPolyandry- more than one husbandAverage engagement- 13to 18 monthsPrenups- 5-15% of marriagesAvg cost of a wedding- $31,213 Marriage identifies the paternity of the children#1 reason for marriage- loveNew Shit• Daycare costs Illinois recommends 108/ week • U.S average $11,66/ year in daycare center • Ranging from $3,582 to $18,773Single parenthood –o 13.7 Million single parents- Raising 21.8 million children (26% of children under 21)o 84% of women - 45% divorced- 34% never marriedo 57% of single fathers are divorced Trends- The majority are single mothers are NOT, in poverty, unemployed, using federal assistance- The majority have one child- The majority are older women Effects on single parenthood- 75% of children with chemical dependency - More than 50% of incarcerated youth- 63% of suicide - 75% of teen pregnanciesDivorce – highest liklihood B4 year 10Top reasons= Money, Cheasting Grand