1. HHS4C

2. 1) Intermarriage  Intermarriage: a.k.a. heterogamy: marriager between partners of different social, racial, religious, ethnic, or cultural backgrounds.  Marriage between people of different backgrounds can have some legal and social effects. Where you live will determine what you would have to experience. E.g. a white person marrying an aboriginal in Canada has legal effect because of status.

3.  Whereas, a marriage between a white person and an African American person may have social effects, especially in areas which are less tolerant of diversity.  Interfaith marriages pose different issues because faith, unlike race, is a chosen attribute. Conversion is an option, which may lead to issues within the marriage.  Interracial couples face issues of racism in society, whereas interfaith couples face issues of family and friends not approving.

4.  Cultural and ethnic differences in a marriage can be the most complex because it can involve national and racial heritage, cultural activities and traditions, and religion. 2) Same Sex Relationships - Although there has been a strong increase in the acceptance of homosexuality in North America, there is still considerable resistance to cohabitation and marriage of homosexuals in North America (U.S. primarily).

5.  Couples may face issues such as discrimination or alienation.  There are legal issues with same sex relationships in terms of spousal laws, benefits, money, etc. 3) Infidelity: - unfaithful to spouse, having extramarital affairs. - Different definitions for different areas. Range from lewd behaviour or cohabitation with another person to sexual intercourse with another person.  Some couples have an “open marriage” in which they allow sexual relations with other people and do not consider it infidelity.

6.  Social psychology has proven in many studies that infidelity is human nature, but the norm in western societies is finding infidelity unacceptable.  A study has shown that 75% of Canadians believe infidelity is wrong under any circumstances. 4) Spousal Violence: - in the past, a man was legally allowed to physically harm his chattels (personal property other than physical objects) with a stick no thicker than his thumb. This included children and wife. This is where the term “rule of thumb” came from.

7.  Up until the mid 20 th century, domestic violence (violence within a household) was seen as a private matter. Police only filed charges if they actually witnessed the event.  By the 1970’s, it had completely changed and now violence within intimate relationships is legally defined as assault.  Intergenerational cycle of violence is the evidence that individuals who experienced violence as a child, or witnessed it, are more likely to be victims or abusers themselves.

8.  Social role theory: suggests that people learn how to behave in a role such as a “wife’ or “husband” by observing and imitating certain role models.