Marriage

Can two people be married but not have a marriage? Sociologists define it as a set of norms that establish and characterize the relationship between married individuals Can two people be married but not have a marriage? Can two people have a marriage but not be married?

Marriage Partners There are no universal norms that limit how many people a person can marry, but most industrialized nations require that they must be married to one person at a time. Monogamy The marriage of one person to one other person

Marriage Partners Polygamy Marriage with multiple partners Two parts: Polygyny A man is permitted to marry more than one woman at a time Polyandry A woman is permitted to marry more than one man at a time

Marriage based on… Homogamy Marriage based on characteristics such as age, SES, religion and race

Marriage based on… In America: Individuals marry those who are closer to them in age, with the husband slightly older than their wife Individuals marry those within their own SES. But, if there is a difference, it is usually the women who is of a lower SES

Marriage based on… In America: Marriage between individuals from different Protestant denominations are common, but much less common for Protestant to marry non-Protestant. The same is true for other faiths, such as: Catholic and Jews Homogamy is strongest with race

Marriage based on… Heterogamy Marriage between individuals who have different characteristics. This type of marriage is on the increase in America

Marriage based on… Reasons for increase: Higher college enrollments More geographical mobility Increased participation of women in the workforce