Family and Environment

FAMILY STUDIES ASSIGNMENT

4. Using data available from Statistics Canada, summarize the demographic changes that have occurred in the formation of marriages in Canada since Confederation.

5. Summarize the evidence from the chapter that supports procreation, love, and companionship, identity, and economics as the purposes of marriage. Explain which purpose appears to be the most relevant today.

8. Should cohabitation have the same legal standing as marriage, or should cohabitation be an alternative relationship for those couples who want none of the legal rights or responsibilities of marriage? Choose an appropriate theoretical perspective and explain the two sides of the controversy.

4. Since Confederation in 1867, the ideology behind marriage has changed significantly. Naturally, marriage has morphed itself into Canadian society with every different time period. With every decade that Canadian society went through since Confederation, marriage went through and found its place within it. Ironically, the more scattered the unity among people seems to be as the years go on, the more idealistic and sacred the action of marriage becomes. Back in the times immediately following Confederation, marriage became an economic necessity. People married because men needed women to take care of the housework, and women needed economic stability. As the years progressed marriage became more of an expression of a couple's love. The trend has continued to progress and blend itself into today's society. Today people marry because they have made a decision that it fits well with their plans for their future. People don't marry because they need to just to survive. People usually marry because their spouse and they have decided that marriage is a good next step in their lives. I think that this is the best thing, because marriage is something that should not be taken lightly. However the divorce rate among Canadians today is outrageous. Approximately every second marriage will end in divorce. So although we seem to be taking the early steps of marriage seriously, the sacredness and value of keeping marriages pure seems to be going down hill. Therefore, marriage has come a long way since Confederation but has also much room to improve.

5. Procreation

Ð'* 32% of men marry for children

Ð'* Canadians believe the best time to have a child is when you are

Ð'* Both men and women have a biological urge to produce children, it is their basic biological drive

Love/Companionship

Ð'* the romantic dream is that individuals will fall in love and marry some day

Ð'* even in arranged marriages, they believe they will fall in love

Ð'* Husbands and wives are expected to express their love for each other in an exclusive sexual relationship

Ð'* National Fertility Study of Canadian women in 1984 Ð" 75% said "love strongly" is necessary for marriage and 55% believed love should become "deep affection" for marriage to last

Identity

- assumption that men will be more reliable, stable and productive encourages them to marry before they become middle-aged

Ð'* marriage changes how people are perceived but it also changes how individuals see themselves

Ð'* cohabiting women are more likely to separate then to marry their parents

Ð'* When individuals marry they acquire the status of husband or wife.

Ð'* Marriage changes how other people see them, but it also changes how individuals see themselves.

Ð'* Being married continues to be the default setting in identity for adults.

Ð'* Men and women are socialized to have children; however, smaller families require less emphasis on parenting and a greater emphasis on marriage as a rewarding relationship for husband and wife.

Ð'* On the other hand, people who have experienced their parents' divorce are