Definition of Key Terms
Marriage Market
The term “marriage market” describes the process of meeting a potential spouse, which can be affected by one’s socioeconomic standing, level of education, and personal preferences. Competition among individuals to find desirable partners and the availability and distribution of potential partners in a given social context define the marriage market.
Cohabitation
“Cohabitation” describes when a couple lives together but is not married. Cohabitation, before or instead of marriage, is rising in many parts of the world. Various factors, including age, socioeconomic status, and cultural norms, can affect the motivations and expectations of cohabiting couples (Cohen, 2018).
Selection Effect
The term “selection effect” describes how people gravitate toward similar behavior patterns and interpersonal connections. For instance, compared to those with lower education or income levels, those with higher education may be more likely to marry or cohabit and have more stable and successful relationships.
Summaries of the Sections
Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change
Various American family types are introduced in this chapter, from nuclear to single-parent to blended to same-sex. Cohen (2018) argues that while these families are not inherently problematic, they may still face discrimination and disadvantage in various settings, including legal recognition, social support, and economic stability. Cohen (2018) investigates the connection between gender inequality and close relationships. He talks about how gendered expectations for caregiving and housework can cause unequal divisions of labor in relationships, which in turn can perpetuate societal gender gaps. He also talks about how same-sex couples can provide alternative models for romantic relationships and how they challenge traditional gender norms.
The author then delves into how class, race, and gender inequality impact parenting styles. He explains, for instance, that middle-class parents tend to place a higher value on their children’s schooling and extracurricular involvement than parents from lower socioeconomic brackets (Cohen, 2018). The latter group may be more concerned with meeting their children’s basic needs. He discusses the potential biases and discrimination that parents of color may face in medicine and instruction.
Who Gets Married
This section shows that marriage rates have dropped dramatically over the past few decades, especially among young adults. The median ages of men and women getting married have increased from 22.8 and 20.3, respectively, in 1960 to 30.9 and 28.7 in 2018 (Cohen, 2018). Multiple explanations have been proposed for the recent drop in marriage rates, including shifts in cultural norms, the state of the economy, and even gender roles.
The article then moves on to discuss the profiles of the people who are statistically more likely to tie the knot. Cohen (2018) claims that education, race or ethnicity, and religiosity increase the likelihood of getting married. People with higher levels of education are more likely to get married and have fewer separations and divorces (Cohen, 2018). Higher incomes and job security, both of which tend to be associated with higher levels of education, are often cited as reasons for this trend.
Who Marries Whom
“Who Marries Whom” closely examines the demographic and social factors influencing marital pairings. Cohen (2018) points out that there is some homogamy regarding socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and religion, but intermarriage has been on the rise in recent decades. For instance, in 1967, only 3% of brides married someone of a different racial or ethnic background, but by 2015 that number had risen to 17% (Cohen, 2018). Generally, there are differences in marital preferences between the sexes.
In contrast to men, who are more likely to marry someone younger than themselves, women are more likely to marry someone with a higher level of education. As an additional note, men are more likely than women to marry someone of a different racial or ethnic background (Cohen, 2018). As an additional point, Cohen cites the role of money in shaping marital preferences. To illustrate, in areas with a lower supply of men, women may be more likely to marry men with lower levels of education.
Cohabitation
About two-thirds of American couples now live together before or instead of getting married, and this trend is discussed at the outset of the section devoted to cohabitation. Economic factors, such as the rising costs of weddings and the difficulties of achieving financial stability, are discussed in detail (Cohen, 2018). Moreover, the role of shifting social norms around marriage and accepting nontraditional relationships drives this trend.
The effects of cohabitation on both people and the community are discussed further. Cohabitation, on the one hand, can help couples figure out if they’re truly compatible and lay the groundwork for a happy marriage. Cohabiting couples are more likely to divorce than married couples, so cohabitation may contribute to social unpredictability (Cohen, 2018). Cohabitation is more prevalent among marginalized populations, especially those with lower incomes or educational backgrounds, and this can exacerbate preexisting inequalities, as noted in this section.
The Modern Married Individual
Beginning with an examination of the shift in cultural attitudes toward marriage, the “Modern Married Individual” section focuses on the married person in the present day. Previously, couples tied the knot for primarily practical reasons like bolstering their bank accounts, improving their social standing, or starting a family (Cohen, 2018). The importance of love and emotional closeness was downplayed in favor of these more pragmatic concerns. Nonetheless, as time has progressed, we associate marriage with feelings of love and contentment.
The chapter details how this change has shown up in contemporary partnerships. People today, for instance, are less likely to select romantic partners based on their socioeconomic status and more likely to select them based on their shared interests and values (Cohen, 2018). Furthermore, they are more likely to look for a spouse who encourages and supports their pursuit of development and personal growth within the context of the marriage.
The Benefits of Marriage
In “The Benefits of Marriage,” we explore the potential positive outcomes of marriage, including our health, finances, and overall happiness. The section begins with the observation that married people tend to have better health (Cohen, 2018). Generally, married people are healthier, live longer, and report feeling better than their single counterparts. Many factors are at play here, but increased social support, pooled resources, and healthy eating decisions are likely contributors.
Second, there is a correlation between getting hitched and having more money and security. Married couples are less likely to live in poverty and have better financial stability over time than single people. This is due in no small part to the fact that married couples can better handle their finances due to the sharing of resources and responsibilities (Cohen, 2018). At the end of the chapter, we learn that getting married can boost your health, happiness, and well-being in many ways.
The Politics of Marriage
Arguments Presented
“The Politics of Marriage” examines how political disagreements have arisen over marriage. This section discusses the political influences on marriage, from the definition of legal marriage to debates about the role of the government in regulating marriage (Cohen, 2018). These aspects affect the durability of many couples, making them crucial for discussion. The author argues that the discourse over same-sex marriage involves a broader debate about the significance and function of marriage in society and not just about legitimizing marriage for same-sex couples (Cohen, 2018). He also talks about how marriage laws have been used historically as a tool of social control, especially regarding gender and race.
Same-Sex Marriage and YouTube Wedding
In this sub-section, the author discusses the legal and social changes surrounding same-sex marriage in the United States. Before the landmark Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, he noted that same-sex marriage was not legally recognized in most states (Cohen, 2018). Additionally, the author explores the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement and the legal battles fought by same-sex couples to gain marriage equality.
He argues that the legal recognition of same-sex marriage has led to significant social change, including greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ people and families. The sub-section on YouTube weddings looks at the growing trend of couples sharing their weddings online through social media and other platforms. Cohen (2018) notes that this trend has allowed for more diverse representations of marriages and families, but also points out that it can reinforce traditional gender roles and expectations. For example, he discusses how many YouTube wedding videos feature elaborate proposals by men to their female partners, supporting the idea that men should be the ones proposing and women should be the ones accepting.
Trends to Watch
In the final sub-section, the author looks at several trends likely to shape the politics of marriage in the coming years. He first considers demographic changes, such as the aging population and declining fertility rates, and how they may affect the institution of marriage. For example, he notes that as people live longer and have fewer children, they may be less likely to rely on marriage to structure their lives (Cohen, 2018). He also discusses the role of economic inequality in shaping family structures, arguing that policies that address inequality may be necessary to create more diverse and equitable family arrangements.
Reference
Cohen, P. N. (2018). The family: Diversity, inequality, and social change (3rd ed.). WW Norton.