RELATIONSHIP ISSUES AND TRENDS

SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS INFIDELITY DIVORCE PARTNER VIOLENCE ISSUES AND TRENDS We will be discussion the following relationship issues and/or trends: INTERMARRIAGE SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS INFIDELITY DIVORCE PARTNER VIOLENCE

INTERMARRIAGE Means marriage between partners who are from different social, racial, religious, ethnic, or cultural backgrounds. Intermarriage or heterogamy is increasingly more common (esp. in Canada and in urban areas) 452,000 couples in mixed unions in 2006; up 35% since 2001 Interfaith unions less likely among certain groups WHAT CHALLENGES TO INTERMARRIAGE COUPLES FACE THAT OTHER COUPLES MAY NOT? Socioeconomic background a factor? Marrying a desirable “race” or a form of rebellion Raising bi-racial children

SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS There has been an increasing acceptance of heterosexual cohabitation but there has been greater resistance in recognizing same sex relationships 1st same sex marriage ceremony took place in Canada on Jan 14, 2001 at the Metropolitan Community Church by Rev. Brent Hawkes (was not legally recognized) (p. 234-235 text) Same sex marriage was not officially legalized in Canada until 2003. Case Study: Marc Hall-2002-Gr. 12 student who wanted to take his boyfriend to the prom. Durham Catholic School Board denied him that right. Clips: Rev. Brent Hawkes and Marc Hall

COUNTRIES WHERE SAME SEX MARRIAGES ARE LEGALIZED BBC News, Apr 2013

HOW HAS SOCIAL MEDIA IMPACTED INFIDELITY? Sexual fidelity remains an important value in intimate relationships Functionalists propose that society creates norms to ensure functions of society are met Evolutionary psychologists state that it is inherent in the nature of humans to be unfaithful -Helen Fischer and David Buss stated that early man was motivated to have several sexual partners to increase chance of offspring; The Monogamy Myth (Vaughn, 1998) Propinquity (Glass) or unmet needs (Anderson, 2001) can lead to infidelity Most Canadians today do not approve of extramarital affairs. Infidelity results in divorce 65% of the time. HOW HAS SOCIAL MEDIA IMPACTED INFIDELITY? Ashley Madison Website (online dating for married indiv) Tinder: Phone App to ‘hook up’ http://ca.askmen.com/news/dating/married-users-on-tinder.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/news/video-1192972/Watch-zombie-themed-Ashley-Madison-ad-ruled-violent.html

WHAT ARE SOME REASONS/RISKS FOR DIVORCE? IS a failure of marriage Divorce was rare in the early 20th century In recent years divorce rates have risen 3 PHASES TO DIVORCE: Awareness Phase: One indiv. decides to initiate divorce Separation Phase: Plan breakup, settle temp custody & financial issues, notify people & separate households. Recognition Phase: 2 indiv. live separate lives & negotiate permanent new parent roles and financial arrangements. WHAT ARE SOME REASONS/RISKS FOR DIVORCE?

Divorce Act, 1985 -Provincial courts now had jurisdiction to decide on matters of divorce -Grounds for divorce became more encompassing. No fault divorce based on the breakdown of the marriage was added.

PARTNER VIOLENCE Both men and women are at risk of partner violence Statistics show women experience more partner violence than men. ARE THESE STATS SKEWED? WHY OR WHY NOT? Some risk factors that have been shown to increase the likelihood of the occurrence of a partner violence situation -unemployment -bankruptcy -additional job -new child support -demotion at work -etc…

CYCLE OF VIOLENCE

Shelters for Abused Women in Canada Stats Can, 2010 • In 2010, there were 593 shelters for abused women operating in Canada, 24 more than in 2008, the last time this information was collected. Large increases were noted in the number of second- stage housing facilities (up 11% or 11 shelters) and transition homes (up 8% or 22 facilities). • The number of beds available to clients of shelters also increased. On April 15, 2010, there were 11,461 beds available in shelters across Canada, an increase of 7% from two years earlier. • Between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010 there were over 64,500 admissions of women to shelters across Canada, up 5% from 2007/2008. Almost one-third (31%) of these women had stayed at the shelter before, up from one-quarter (25%) in 2007/2008. • Among women staying in transition homes and other shelters on April 15, 2010, abuse was among the most common reasons for admissions (71%). Among abused women, most (67%) were looking for shelter from current partners, and most (60%) had not reported the abuse to police. • One-quarter (25%) of all shelters reported serving an on-reserve population, and 64% of all shelters reported offering services sensitive to the needs of Aboriginal clients.

RE-ADMISSION STATS TO SHELTER FOR ABUSE

PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN SHELTERS

AGE OF WOMEN IN SHELTERS