1. Marriage and Family Life
Unit 3: Exploring Single and Married Life

2. Objective 1: Profile single and married lifestyles.
Single lifestyle
More time for self and for personal interests
Greater privacy
Greater independence
Focus on career and other personal goals
Sustained by a strong network of friends
Responsibilities borne by the individual

3. Objective 1: Profile single and married lifestyles.
Shared experiences of daily life
Lifelong companionship
Greater financial security (from pooled resources)
Shared commitment to one relationship
Shared responsibilities
Greater emotional security
Focus on common goals

4. Objective 2: Identify factors that influence lifestyles.
Where you want to live
Type of work you enjoy
Type of personal and family life you want
Importance of money and career
Pace of living
Leisure activities you enjoy
Attitude toward marriage or single life
Circumstances
Beliefs and values
Family and friends
Career goals
Finances and other resources

5. Objective 3: Identify factors that influence the decision to remain single.
Importance of independence and “freedom”
Fear of failure
Commitment to education and/or career
No interest in marriage and/or parenting
Lack of a compatible partner
Desire to delay marriage

6. Objective 3: Identify factors that influence the decision to remain single.
Desire to remain financially independent
Need to care for a sick or elderly relative
Ability to care for yourself
Financial stability

7. Objective 4: Select options for single living.
Living alone
Becoming or remaining a single parent
Living with a partner
Living with a roommate
Living with family members

8. Objective 5: Identify implications of living with another person.
Fewer legal property rights for either person in the relationship
Custody issues may arise when children are involved
Combines aspects of single and married living without traditional husband and wife roles
Legally single, but emotionally committed to a partner
Reduces living expenses for each person

9. Objective 5: Identify implications of living with another person.
May allow a person to get to know another person better
May allow either or both persons to avoid personal commitments
Potential for parental/community disapproval
May be fewer legal issues if the relationship ends
Not eligible for most of the legal benefits of marriage

10. Objective 6: Identify factors that influence the decision to marry.
Age
Feelings about commitment
Compatibility
Desire to parent or current pregnancy
Financial security/economic support
Independence from family
Desire for intimacy

11. Objective 6: Identify factors that influence the decision to marry.
Loneliness
Marriage laws
Mature love
Parental approval
Proximity
Social pressure/expectation

12. Objective 7: Develop a personal and family life goal plan.

13. Objective 8: Explore personal attitudes about single and married lifestyles.

14. Objective 9: Distinguish between love and infatuation.
Takes more time to establish. Love reflects growth in a relationship
Combines strong personal attachment and attraction
Is a give-and-take relationship.
Involves sharing and trusting
Accepts the other person (including faults)
Requires mutual respect
Shows concern for what is best for the other person.

15. Objective 9: Distinguish between love and infatuation.
Has a strong physical element
May not be rational.
Involves a strong but often temporary attraction
Overlooks undesirable traits.
Seldom lasts long
Is usually one-sided

16. Objective 10: Distinguish between the stages of a romantic relationship.
Dating
Allows people to spend time as a couple and to develop their friendship
Provides an opportunity to learn more about yourself.
Helps you use and improve various skills.
Acts as an opportunity to learn more about other people in a variety of settings.
Activities revolve around the interests of you and your date.

17. Objective 10: Distinguish between the stages of a romantic relationship.
Engagement
Is the last stage of dating and signifies the start of a couple’s plans for marriage
Serves as a formal announcement to friends and family
Acts as a testing period and time to discuss important issues not already discussed
Allows time to plan the wedding and obtain a marriage license

18. Objective 10: Distinguish between the stages of a romantic relationship.
Wedding
Marks the beginning of a life together
Announces the marriage to the public
Legally binds the couple during a civil or ceremonial service
The honeymoon provides time for the newly married couple to adjust to each other and to share some intimate time together

19. Objective 11: Identify the adjustments that marriage requires.
Making decisions together
Managing your finances together
Making decisions about careers
Learning to communicate effectively
Finding areas of common interest
Deciding on roles

20. Objective 11: Identify the adjustments that marriage requires.
Finding a place to live
Handling the habits, routines, and schedules of daily living
Handling changes in social activities and relationships
Nurturing relationships with in-laws
Managing day-to-day conflicts

21. Objective 12: Rank factors of personal importance for a successful marriage.

22. Objective 13: Identify the scope of marriage laws.
All marriages require the mutual consent of both partners
Neither person can be married to someone else
Both people must be mentally competent
Marriage is a legal contract that has to be legally dissolved
Many states require blood tests before marriage

23. Objective 13: Identify the scope of marriage laws.
All states have a minimum age requirement
A marriage license is required, except in the case of common law marriage
A licensed official must perform the marriage ceremony
Most states will not allow marriages of people related by blood
Many states have laws prohibiting marriages between two people of the same sex

24. Objective 14: . Profile marriage laws and wedding customs.