1. Chapter 8 Marriages in Societal and Individual Perspective Worksheet page 1 KEY
Marriage Today
Why marriage is seen in decline:
1. More people are choosing not to marry.
2. More people are waiting to marry later in life.
3. People are choosing to cohabit. (There is still high divorce and births to unwed mothers.)
Marriage is changing but resilient:
1. When surveyed, people say they still want to get married.
2. 90% of people will eventually marry.
3. Marriage is highly valued. (Marriage is seen to be extremely important.)
List 3 ways money and education influence marriage:
People with college education have more stable marriages.
People with college educations are more apt to marry.
Low income unmarried parents question their ability to “make ends meet” in marriage.
Religion and Marriage:
True or False
T F Judeo-Christian groups uphold marriage and family as desirable and important lifestyles.
T F Conservative Protestant denominations and Mormons portray marriage as “part of God’s plan.”
T F Arranged marriages are the norm in traditional cultures. Parents generally decide who they marry. The family, clan or community interests come first.
Who can marry in Utah?
What is the closest relative you can marry?
Second Cousin
What is the age you can marry without parental consent? 18
Is Polygamy legal in Utah? No
Does Utah have an amendment to the marriage laws that state that same sex marriages are illegal?
Yes

2. What does the book say are benefits to marriage?
Chapter 8 Marriages in Societal and Individual Perspective Worksheet page 2 KEY
Terms to know:
Fill in the blanks with the following number of words or phrases:
1. Homogamy Exogamy
3. Endogamy Heterogamy
5. Marriage Squeeze 6. Mating Gradient
_3_ strengthens group structure.
_6_ tendency for women to marry men of higher status.
_2_ requires us to marry outside certain groups, (taboos).
_4_ tendency to choose a mate whose personal or group characteristics differ from our own.
_1_ choosing someone whose characteristics are similar to ours. 92% in U.S. are same race
_5_ Gender imbalance of available unmarried folks.
What does the book say are benefits to marriage?
1. Reduces risk of poverty.
2. Increases the probability of affluence.
3. Married people are physically and mentally healthier.
Factors which affect marriage:
True or False
T F Age of marriage is important if one or both marry younger than age 20.
T F You can date “too long” because if you have a slow-to-commit relationship, you are less likely to be satisfied in marriage.
T F Level of education affects marital adjustment and divorce.
T F Being active in one’s religion does not affect stability in marriages.
T F Personality seems fixed and unchanging and can affect marital happiness.
T F The emotional climate of the relationship is just as important as problem solving skills.
T F Engagement isn’t as important as it used to be and no longer provides many useful functions.
T F Cohabiting before marriage shows a higher correlation with unhappiness in marriage and a higher likelihood of divorce.
T F More than half of first marriages result from cohabitation.
T F Weddings are seen as a rite of passage and a transition from being single to being married.
T F According to Cuber and Harroff, conflict-habituated marriages are more common than vital marriages.
T F African American are least likely to be married.
Fill in the blanks
The new family must establish its own boundaries with relatives and friends.
Parenthood may lead to a deterioration of marital closeness.
The period following the child’s exit is commonly known as the empty nest.
The boomerang generation is a term for children who leave home and then return to live with their parents.

3. Functions of Engagement
Chapter 8 Marriages in Societal and Individual Perspective Worksheet page 3 KEY
List 10 marital tasks for couples in early marriage. May also include children.
See pages
1. Establishing marital and family roles. Who is responsible for what.
2. Providing emotional support for spouse.
3. Adjusting personal habits.
4. Making sexual adjustments.
5. Establishing family and employment priorities.
6. Developing communication and conflict resolution skills.
7. Managing budgetary, financial matters and time.
8. Establishing kin relationships and establishing healthy boundaries. Becoming interdependent instead of dependent.
9. Developing and nurturing friends. Being a good neighbor.
10. Negotiating gender roles especially when children arrive.
Functions of Engagement
Preparing couples for marriage by requiring them to think about the realities of life.
The beginning of kinship with each other’s families.
The strengthening of the partners as a couple.
Name 4 important ingredients for an enduring marriage:
1. Your spouse is your best friend.
2. Marriage is a long term commitment.
3. Have the same goals and philosophy of life.
4. Shared humor.