1. The Purpose of Marriage
Further Analysis

2. Assessing the Institution of marriage
Functionalists explain that marriage is the central social grouping to meet basic needs in all societies.
Many individuals feel that getting married confers upon them adult status within their society, and, more importantly, within their families.
On a practical level, marriage allows individuals to share resources to improve their standard of living.
From a cultural perspective, marriage is an expectation individuals will fulfill at least once in their lives simply because it allows them to commit their unfailing love and support to the person they love.
Overall, McGoldrick (1989) notes that 66% of Canadians still feel that marriage is a natural thing to do.

3. Why Get Married? Legal Reasons (p. 180-181)
formalizes a couple’s relationship in the eyes of the law
Love (p )
marriage is a happy state in which one can love and be loved – companionship, stability, and support
Identity (p )
status as a husband, wife, or spouse changes both how you see yourself, as well as how others see you
a desire to improve one’s quality of life and/or elevate one’s social status can also serve as motivation to marry

4. Factors Impacting an individual’s desire to marry
Procreation/Family Creation
Most Canadians feel it is important for children to have married parents.
Emotional Crisis
Individuals often make the decision to marry following a family or societal crisis, such as the death of a parent or a war, to emphasize the importance of family ties.
Divorce
Individuals who have experienced their parents’ divorce are less likely to marry.
Canadians whose parents divorced appear to be delaying marriage: 40% of men and 54% of women married by their late 20s and early 30s compared to 50% of men and 60% of women whose parents were not divorced.
Family Background
Family attitudes/values/etc. impact whether or not individuals perceive marriage as a desirable step.

5. Analyzing Demographic Data to Identify Trends
Trends tell us the direction in which behaviour is changing. Identifying trends requires a careful analysis of behaviour and the facts that are influencing it.
There are several important questions to consider as you complete this analysis:
What has been the long term pattern?
Analyze the data over generations to determine whether short-term changes in the past resulted in long- term trends. For example, the age at which people marry has decreased and increased several times in the last century.
What are the cohort factors that influenced the pattern?
For example, the increase in the marriage rate in the early 1970s reflects the size of the baby boom who attained the age to marry.
What legal or policy procedures might have affected the behaviour?
For example, the passage of laws legalizing divorce changed divorce rates in Canada. Such changes reflect the opportunity to divorce, not necessarily the motivation to stay married or to divorce.
What social and economic changes have influenced demographic changes?
For example, the economic changes in Canada resulting from the employment of women have occurred over a long time. This change has affected demographic trends related to education, marriage, and parenthood.

6. Demographic Trends in Couple Relationships
Working in small groups, use the techniques suggested, questions posed, and additional information in the textbook to analyze demographic trends in couple relationships.
Figure 6-15 (p. 185): Alyssa M., Emma, Alvea
Figure 6-16 (p. 186): Emilie, Cassidy, Sydney
Figure 6-19 (p. 189): Sissy, Montanna, Brianna K.
Figure 6-20 (p. 191): Alyssa R., Carrigan, Mason