Marriage Debates

Stephanie Coontz’s article discusses the evolution of marriage and relationships. She brings up the ways in which the necessity for marriage has changed as well as the role of parents in children’s lives. She then goes on to explain women’s changing role in marriage and the decrease in their domesticity and increase in involvement in the workforce. She also talks about “No-Fault” divorce and its present impact as well as changing environments for children including unwed mothers and single parents.
Marriage as an institution is defined by the Council on Families in America as a lifelong commitment to the “institutional expression of commitment and obligation to others in order to regulate sexuality, male-female relations, economic distribution and child rearing.” Scientists believe that the institution stems from “a well-understood set of obligations and rights,” which originate from laws, legality, formality and tradition. Marriage as an institution is a legal and distinct establishment and relationship. There are many indicators of the deinstitutionalization of marriage however. These reasons include an increase in single parent homes, an increase in independent living outside of a family environment, an increase in cohabitation, an increase in women working, and a change in the role of marriage. With an increase in women’s careers, women are needing marriage less and less for financial support. Marriage is no longer seen as a need but as an option. This option lacks its old formality with a rise in unmarried couples having children and living together, as well as an increased divorce rate and increase in single mothers.
The article by Gertsel and Sarkisian and Harris discusses the advantages and disadvantages of marriage. In the Gertsel and Sarkisian article, marriage is described as being a way out of poverty and a chance for single mothers to force unmarried fathers into responsibility. Marriage is also a form of protection against murder, suicide and problems in the world. It was once believed that marriage was more beneficial to men than women, but today it seems as though the benefits are equal. The downside or critique of marriage is a decrease in family involvement with those such as siblings and parents, once a child is married. Marriage also causes a decrease in socilialization with neighbors and friends. Marriage also takes on a “greedy” side. It causes people to give a great deal of their emotion, time and energy. It requires expensive rituals such as engagement parties, weddings, and honeymoons. It also often requires the help of other family members to help support and pay for education and living expenses of couples who are first married.
According to Brown, there are many reasons why people cohabit. The effects of cohabitation are