1. Cohabitation and Marriage
Chapter 7
Cohabitation
and
Marriage

2. Cohabitation
Living together in a sexual relationship without being married

3. Cohabitation From 523,000 to nearly 3 million Between 1970 and 1990
Number of couples living together outside of marriage quadrupled
From 523,000 to nearly 3 million

4. Cohabitation Reasons: Law does not allow them to marry
Belief that marriage is unnecessary

5. Reasons Given for Cohabitation
Economics
Share expenses
More time together

6. Reasons for Cohabitation
Increased intimacy
Less complicated dissolution
No messy divorce

7. Reasons for Cohabitation
Testing compatibility
Trial marriage

8. Cohabitation Increasing Among Older Individuals
Financial benefits
Avoid loss of alimony, welfare, or pension benefits
Loss of a spouse
Fear of losing another spouse

9. Marriage: Historically
Medieval Europe:
Bride came with a dowry
Given to groom's family

10. Medieval Society Dowry: Simple items Important items Household linens
Land

11. Bride-price Groom's family compensated bride's family
For loss of bride's work
Bride's family gave up rights to
Her labor
Her children

12. Courting: 1700s & 1800s Meet rational needs:
“Marrying off” daughters early
Support agricultural economy
Belief that love came after marriage
Couples knew each other through informal, structured social relations
e.g., Church

13. Courtship
Courtship – Publicly visible process with rules & restrictions
Carefully established social norms
Public meeting places
Group setting
Night visiting, family present
No privacy until engagement
Norm until mid-1800s

14. Courting on Bicycles

15. Courting:1700s & 1800s 1830s to 1880s:Victorian era “Going calling”
Family’s (father’s) permission to court young woman
“Stepping out”
Chaperoned
Engagement
With father’s permission

16. Aristocratic families
Courting:1700s & 1800s
Matched according to:
Economic status
Education
Family background
Status and prestige
Aristocratic families
Arranged marriages

17. Courtship’s Demise after 1900
Migration from rural areas
Higher standard of living
Adolescence, new stage of life
General mobility increased
Range of choices increased

18. Late 19th to Early 20th Century: Courtship to Dating

19. Late 19th to Early 20th Century: from Courtship to Dating
Co-ed high schools
Working class women living alone
WWI ( ):Middle class women work in offices
Women’s freedom
Affluence and leisure

20. Dating 1940s to early 1960s 1950s Dating Stages:
Associate on playground
Flirting
Talking

21. 1950s Dating Stages
Double-dating
Single dating
“Going steady”

22. 1950s Dating Stages College pinning
College & post-high school engagement
19-24 age at marriage
Early marriage; strong economy

23. Dating from 1940s to early 1960s Steady dating:
Important pattern post-WWII
In-between casual dating & engagement
“Transition period” to marriage

24. Less connected to marriage
Dating—1960s & 1970s
Less connected to marriage
Trend toward independent living
Average marriage age increased
Rise in premarital intercourse
Cohabitation became common

25. Dating at end of 20th Century
Major changes:
More informal sexual contacts
More co-ed high schools & colleges
Shared residence halls
Shared apartments and houses
Similar numbers of men & women in college

26. Contemporary Types of Intimate & Sexual Relationships
“Getting together”
Not marriage-oriented
“Hooking Up” or “Joined at the Hip”
Sex for fun
Open relationships
Friends with benefits
Dating?

27. Forming a Union Union = Stable, intimate relationship between 2 people
Live in same household
May or may not be married

28. Institutional Marriage
Emphasis on:
Male authority
Duty
Conformity to social norms

29. Companionate Marriage
Emphasis on:
Affection
Friendship
Sexual gratification

30. From Companionship to Individualization
Mid-1960s:
Breadwinner-homemaker marriage declining
As both a:
Cultural ideal
Reality

31. Toward Individualized Marriage
Marital Satisfaction:
Personal fulfillment
Emotional satisfaction
Obligations to others-lower priority

32. Current Context of Marriage
Meaning of marriage today
Personal growth & self-development
Deeper intimacy
More open communication

33. Why do people still marry?
90% eventually marry
Marriage is public commitment

34. Marriage as the Capstone Experience
Practical importance-> Declined
Symbolic importance-> Increased

35. Union Formation: Today
Common to marry later
More time searching for mate
Cohabitation acceptable
Childbearing outside of marriage
More acceptable

36. Dating: 21st Century Speed dating 8 dates (lasting 8 minutes)
On-line dating sites
Personal ads
Virtual dating
Create avatars in artificial world
Hooking up

37. Is Marriage Good for You?
Men & Women benefit:
Women
Monetary support
Men
Social support
McGraw-Hill © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., All Rights Reserved

38. Health Benefits