Marriage and Cohabitation

Overview

• Discussion on the persistence of traditional gender roles in heterosexual marriages.
• Legal variations in marriage rights across states.
• Evolution of societal norms around marriage and cohabitation.

Gender and Marriage

• Heterosexual marriages often display different gender experiences.
• Women still tend to do more household chores.

Legal Aspects

• Marriage laws vary by state; federal government leaves jurisdiction to states.
• Same-sex marriage: First legalized in Massachusetts (2004), federally recognized in 2015.
• Common-law marriages: Few states recognize this; limited rights, often for inheritance.

Influence of Religion

• Religion influences gender roles in marriage.
• Protestant beliefs of early colonists promoted patriarchal family structures.
• African slaves and Native Americans were more egalitarian/matriarchal.

Changing Marriage Trends

• The traditional 1950s family model is declining.
  • Increase in single, unmarried individuals and cohabitating couples.
  • Unmarried adults constitute a quarter of all households.
• Economic and educational demands delay marriage.
  • Older age of marriage correlates with stronger marriage stability.
  • Smaller family sizes due to economic and housing constraints.

Benefits of Marriage

• Married individuals are often healthier and economically stable.
• Marriage benefits are not universally distributed across social classes and racial groups.

Types of Marriages

1. Conflicted Habituated: Couples thrive on constant arguing.
2. Devitalized: Once loving, now staying together out of obligation.
3. Passive Congenial: Stability-focused, not love-based (e.g., marriages for citizenship).
4. Vital: Partners make each other their world, often leading to burnout.
5. Total: Balanced, with outside interests leading to higher satisfaction.

Sex and Communication

• Sex and physical affection are integral to marital satisfaction.
• Regular affectionate contact is important.

Egalitarian Marriage

• Based on partnership and shared responsibilities.
• Known as the "Pure" marriage, maintains a flexible balance (e.g., 60/40 split).
• Avoids strict equality, focusing on mutual support and decision-making.

Cohabitation

• Increasing trend, previously labeled as deviant.
• Media influence in the 1980s-90s normalized cohabitation.
• Now seen as a "trial marriage"; societal reactions have shifted.
• Cohabitation rates vary by ethnicity, influenced by religious beliefs.
• Cohabitation before marriage does not necessarily lead to stronger marriages; slightly higher divorce rates noted.

Conclusion

• Marriage and cohabitation trends continue to evolve alongside societal norms and economic factors.