Social scientists study marriage from different perspectives to understand its common purpose. Sociologists view it through structural functionalism, seeing marriage as perpetuating social norms and roles. Anthropologists use systems theory, arguing marriage provides pair-bonding for survival. Psychologists apply social exchange theory, viewing marriage as a tradeoff where individuals seek benefits and minimize costs. While modern marriages vary, laws govern the legal institution, requiring licenses and defining eligible partners and rights.

1. What do sociologists, anthropologists and psychologists say?
THE PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE

2. DEFINITION - MARRIAGE
 A relationship between two individuals based
on a sexual union which is recognized as
legitimate.
 Carries specific role expectations within a
society.
 Based on a permanent, legal contract.

3. INITIAL DIFFERENCES ...
 Begins with cohabitation
 More traditional, waiting to live together
 Differing values towards premarital
sex/intimacy
 Members of the same sex or opposite sex

4. THEORETICAL EXPLANATION?
 Despite these differences, social scientists
strive to determine the common purpose of
marriage.
 What is the function of marriage, as a
relationship and institution?

5. THEORIES:
Social Scientist Theory
Sociologists Structural Functionalism
Anthropologists Systems Theory
Psychologists Social Exchange Theory

6. CONSIDER
 What does this theory try to explain?
 How is society organized or “made up”
according to this theory?
 What key terms are associated with this
theory?
 According to this theorist, what is the
purpose or function of marriage?

7. SOCIOLOGY
STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
 Society organized to perform key functions
effectively
 Organized to benefit society/maintain stability
 Change can happen, but it takes time, occurs
slowly.
 Macro View = Big picture
 Institutions function to organize society and
perpetuate norms

8. FUNCTIONALIST MARRIAGE
 More traditional marriage reflected
 Roles and status are very important
 Marriage works to perpetuate societal norms
– the couple, family, heterosexuality.
 Encourages reproduction

9. ANTHROPOLOGY
SYSTEMS THEORY
 How groups of individuals interact as a system
 Groups, subsystems influence each other in a
stable way. Not chaos, but not perfect.
 Feedback implies give and take. All members
influence each other in negative and positive
ways.
 Feedback informs how we maintain the system.
 Negative feedback = discouragement
 Positive feedback = encouragement

10. SYSTEMS MARRIAGE
 Negative and positive feedback from
partners.
 Majority positive. More likely to maintain
relationship/marriage.
 Pair-Bond allows for greater chances of
survival.
 Pair-Bond provides a means of survival.
“Two heads are better than one”.

11. PSYCHOLOGY
SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY
 Social factors that influence how we act
within relationships (reciprocal relationships)
 We are constrained by role expectations, but
we act to maximize benefits, and minimize
costs.
 Individuals interpret their experiences with
others to weigh the benefits and costs
 Benefits and costs are not facts but personal
perceptions.

12. SOCIAL EXCHANGE MARRIAGE
 When considering marriage you are looking
for someone who can benefit you
 Physical, emotional support, companionship
 Sharing goods and services, status or
economic stability. Prosperity for the couple.
 Considered a “Trade off” sometimes, as you
lose independence and free time. (costs)

13. MARRIAGE STRUCTURES
 How are marriages organized?
 How are roles and power distributed?
 4 Types
 Owner- Property
 Head Complement
 Senior Partner – Junior Partner
 Equal Partner – Equal Partner

14. OWNER-PROPERTY
 Historically common
 Husband physically and legally owns wife
 Emotional component is unimportant
 Clearly outlined rights and duties for each
partner.

15. HEAD COMPLEMENT
 Wife is understood as the husband’s “other
half”
 Husband responsible for finances (the
breadwinner) and wife for the domestic
 Husband considers wife’s opinions in
decision making as a complement.
 Represents a minority of Canadian families
today (48%)

16. SENIOR-JUNIOR PARTNER
 Wife is employed, more independent and
contributing to family income
 Husband is still the primary provider $$
 Wife still takes care of domestic duties, but
husband helps.
 This is the largest category of Canadian
families/marriages

17. EQUAL PARTNER
 Partners are equally committed to work,
family and household tasks
 The more the wife contributes to income, the
more husband helps with household tasks
 A small but growing number of Canadian
families (includes childless couples)

18. BRUNO MARS – MARRY YOU

19. ???
How does Bruno Mars
treat marriage? How does
he define it?

20. What Laws Govern Marriage?
MARRIAGE AS A LEGAL CONTRACT

21. MARRIAGE IN CANADA
 Governed at the Provincial level
 Municipal regulations may apply, depending
on where you are getting married.
 Division of Vital Statistics – marriage
licences, registry, certificates, Marriage
Commissioners.

22. SO, HOW DO WE GET MARRIED?

23. 1. MARRIAGE LICENCE
 A Marriage licence is a form that allows you
to get married, in that province, within the
next 3 months.
 Does not mean that you are married!
 You can apply for one at city hall.
 Cost = 135$$

24. 2. THE CEREMONY
 Will you have a religious or civil ceremony?
 Who will perform the ceremony?
 Division of Vital Statistics has a list of those
qualified. (religious and non-religious)
 Marriage Commissioners
 Two witnesses to sign the marriage register.
 Civil Ceremony = 250$

25. 3. SEND AWAY THE REGISTER
 Send to: Division of Vital Statistics
 Legal record of the marriage.
 Vital Statistics track births, marriages,
deaths, name changes in Canada.

26. 4. APPLY FOR A MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE
 Done through Vital Statistics.
 Cost = 65$, or 100$ rush order!
 Making it official =
450$

27. THE MARRIAGE ACT
 Provincial legislation
 Controls who can and cannot get married
 Outline the rules, commitments and
restrictions
 Rules on: property, civil rights, separation,
divorce, definition of “spouse”

28. WHO CAN’T GET MARRIED?
 Under 18 (without parental consent)
 If one of the partners is involved in another
relationship, marriage or unsettled divorce
 Mentally incapable (unable to understand the nature
of marriage and obligations)
 Intoxicated or on drugs
 Until 2004, Same-Sex Couples.

29. CONSANGUINITY
 Consanguinity – a romantic relationship
between two people who are closely related
to you. (by blood, half blood or adoption)
Man Cannot Marry His: Woman Cannot Marry Her:
Grandmother Grandfather
Mother Father
Daughter Son
Sister Brother
Granddaughter Grandson

30. CHANGES TO MARRIAGE
 1970s onward
 Egalitarian Relationships - men and women
are equal partners and providers in marriage.
 Same rights, restrictions and obligations
 Women have increased rights in marriage and
divorce.
 Same-sex couples included in the definition of
marriage, “spouse”.

31. COHABITATION
 Living together in a conjugal relationship
either in or outside marriage.
 Today, few legal differences between married
and cohabitating couples.
 Married couples share wide range of assets
(the Matrimonial Home, property division)

32. COHABITATION RIGHTS
 Cohabitators have the same rights as a
“spouse” when ...
 Continuously living together for 3 years
 In a permanent relationship and are the
natural/adoptive parents of a child.
 Entitledto support as a “dependant”, spousal
benefits (pension).

33. COHABITATION IN CANADA
 Nearly 60% of young people will cohabit in
their first conjugal relationship.
 Cohabition is found more acceptable as a
prelude to marriage.
 Less acceptable if the couple do not intend to
get married.

34. WHY CANADIANS ARE NOT GETTING MARRIED
 2007 Census Data.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BETCBUT
yLEM