Transcript Lesson 2 – Studying Marriages and Families

Lesson 8 - Marrieds and
Non-Marrieds
Robert Wonser
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Myths of Singlehood
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Demographics
 Increase in never-married adults:
2003, 24.4% of U.S. adults 18 yrs+
2006, 73% of ♂ 20-29 yrs
2006, 62% of ♀ 20-29 yrs
 Never-married by Race/Ethnicity (2003 Census
bureau)
38.9% of African American (over 1/3)
30.9% of Hispanics (less than 1/3)
22.2% of Whites (less than ¼)
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Marital Status of U.S. 2003
Blacks are almost as likely to be never married as married
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Same-Sex Marriage
 As of Januar y 2013, nine states —Connecticut, Iowa, Maine,
Mar yland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York , Vermont, and
Washington—as well as the District of Columbia and two Native
American tribes—have legalized same -sex marriage.
 In addition, Rhode Island recognizes same -sex marriages per formed
in other jurisdictions, and California, which briefly granted same -sex
marriages in 2008, now recognizes them on a conditional basis.
 While several jurisdictions have legalized same -sex marriage
through cour t rulings, legislative action, and popular vote, nine
states prohibit same -sex marriage by statute and 30 prohibit it in
their constitutions. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), enacted in
1996, prevents the federal government from recognizing same -sex
marriages and allows each state to refuse recognition of same -sex
marriages per formed in other states. The provision of DOMA
forbidding the federal government from recognizing same -sex
marriages has been found unconstitutional in eight federal cour ts,
including two federal appeals cour ts. Five of these cases are
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pending review by the Supreme Cour t.
Sociodemographics of NeverMarrieds
Age – 73% are under 34 yrs old
Race – Whites less satisfied with being single
Sex – Women healthier than men
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Ages of Never Marrieds
By age 75, almost everyone has married at least once
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What are the Advantages of Being
Single?
Opportunities for self-development and
personal growth
 Opportunities to meet different people and
have a variety of friendships
 Economic independence
 Varied sexual experience
 Freedom to control own life
 Opportunities for career change

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What are the Disadvantages of Being
Single?
Loneliness
 Economic hardship
 Feeling out of place in social gatherings
 Sexual frustration
 Lack of children or lack of family in which
to bring up children

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 2010: 45% of
25 to 35 year
olds are
married
 2000: 55%
 1960: 80%
 Why:
 Education
 Cohabitation
 All Things
Sociology: Life at
ConsideredIntroduction toHome
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Trends in American Families
 About 8% of all households are occupied
by couples who are cohabitating (living
together as a romantically involved,
unmarried couple).
Introduction to Sociology: Life at
Home
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Number of Cohabitating Couples
As
sociologists, it
is our job to
understand
why the
number of
people
cohabitating
has increased
so much over
the last few
decades.
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Why Cohabit?
 Cannot be understood apart from the social
context
(remember your Sociological Imagination!)
1960s, the pill, second wave feminism, civil rights
 Why would people choose cohabitation?
Finances
Does the economy have any bearing here?
Convenience
Housing needs
Do you suppose that the reason for cohabitation
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effects the outcome of cohabitation?
Negative Effects of Cohabitation on
Marriage?
Contrary to what we might expect, divorce
rate among those who cohabited before
getting married is higher than those who have
not. Why would this be?
Not believers in marriage in the first place?
More committed to autonomy than to
marriage?
Focus on individual need fulfillment
No evidence that cohabitation weeds out
incompatible couples and prepares people for
successful marriages
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Negative Effects on Marriage
 A crucial component of success of the
relationship (true whether it remains
cohabitating or progresses to marriage):
communication of intention from both partners.
 For marriage specifically: if cohabitation was a
precursor to marriage for both participants.
  Many people choose to cohabit after they have
made plans to marry (approx 46%) are seen as
prenuptial and don’t negatively effect future
marriage
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Who Cohabitates?
Between 50-60% of new marriages now
involve couples who have lived together first
Typical cohabitating couple:
Between 25-34 years old
Transition to cohabitation occurred rapidly (within
6 months) with plans for a future not having been
discussed
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What makes the U.S. different?
Strong emphasis on individualism
(particularly expressive individualism –
emphasis on personal satisfaction, selfexpression and personal growth)
As a result, more short-term, fragile
cohabiting relationships
In short, Americans partner up frequently,
for shorter amounts of time, and repeat
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Bringing it All Together: Cohabitation
Changes in society affect the shape our
families take (as they do for all institutions)
Our “individual” decision to cohabit is a
product of social forces that have begun
decades prior and continue today.
Social forces (beyond mere personal troubles)
direct us towards cohabitation.
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Cohabitation in the United States
Introduction to Sociology: Life at
Home
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Applying Theory
Social Exchange Theory
How can our discussion of advantages and
disadvantages be framed with SET?
What other theory can you use?
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Categories of Singles
1. Voluntary temporary 3.Involuntary temporary
2. Voluntary stable
(permanent)
4.Involuntary stable
(permanent)
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Indicators of marital readiness
Age and Maturity
Timing of marriage
Motives
Sexual exclusiveness
Emotional emancipation from parents
Education and vocation
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Singlehood Mobile Debate
Singlehood should be the preferred choice
for people under age 30
The legal marriage age should be raised in
the United States
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