Marriage

1
Marriage the Family

• The Foundation of Family Well-Being

2
Theories of Attraction 

• Why are we attracted to some people and not to
  others?  In
• theory we have the freedom of choice as to who we
  choose
• as our partner.  In reality, our choices are
  limited by
• Where we live
• The people we know
• Our socio-economic background
• And other influences that may not be as obvious.
• Sociologists explain many relationships based on
  theories.  We will examine 5 theories of why
  individuals are attracted to other people.

3
Social Homogamy Theory

• Theory based on the idea that like attracts
  like.
• People tend to choose a partner who is more alike
  than different from themselves.
• Often from the same race, religion, or culture.

• They will often enjoy doing the same kinds of
  things which is often how they meet.
• They often have similar role expectations.

4
Complimentary Needs Theory

• Theory states that people choose a partner
• who compliments (or completes) and meets
• their own personal needs. 
• Each persons strengths help balance the traits
  of the other.
• For example, a shy person may be attracted to an
  outgoing person.
• Considered to be a Balancing motive.
• You complete me!
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vNpWAlvWNZj0

5
Ideal Mate Theory

• Most people have a preconceived image of what
  their ideal partner
• should be like. 
• This image is based on physical appearance,
  personality characteristics or other traits.

• It may also be based on characteristics of ones
  own parents ( a woman may look for a man who is
  like her father).
• This image may also develop over dating
  experiences, I know what I dont want!

6
Social Exchange Theory

• People may consider the qualities
• they want in a partner and what
• they have to offer in return. 
• These qualities may be personal, material,
  appearance, intelligence, or services.
• A partner is selected as someone who brings the
  best of these qualities at the smallest cost.
• For example, a successful business man may look
  for a wife who will be attractive and keep a
  successful home and meet social requirements as
  he progresses through his career.

7
Propinquity Theory
People are more likely to meet and know people
who are physically nearby.

• Same city or same college provides an opportunity
  to meet.
• Long-distance relationships are costly and
  difficult to keep going, although with global
  travel and the Internet more accessible now,
  these relationships are becoming easier to
  establish and sustain.

8
Marriage

• Canada has CIVIL marriagethis means
• that marriage is governed and controlled by
• the federal government under the Civil
• Marriages Act (2005).
• The rules are made by the federal
• government, but they are administered by
• each province.

9
Marriage Law

• The Civil Marriage Act came into effect on July
  20, 2005.
• Canada became the fourth country to legislate
  same-sex marriage with
• Netherlands (2001)
• Belgium (2003)
• Spain (2005).

10
Who Can Get Married?

• Anyone over 19.
• Anyone under 19 years with consent of both
  parents.
• Under the age of 16 years with permission of the
  Court.
• Someone who is divorces with a final proof of
  divorce.
• Someone who is widowed with proof of death
  document.

11
Applying for a Marriage License

• The Solemnization of Marriage Act requires that
  you obtain a marriage license before getting
  married in Nova Scotia.
• The license does not mean that you are married,
  but that you may get married.
• Expires one year from date of issuance.

12
Applying for a Marriage License

• Only one member of the couple needs to apply for
  the license
• You must provide a signed piece of identification
  and proof of age for both parties.
• The fee for a marriage license is 121.78
• There is a five day waiting period between the
  day of application for the license and the date
  of issuance.

13
The Marriage Ceremony

• In Nova Scotia, couples can choose a religious or
  civil ceremony.
• Either type of ceremony must be witnessed by two
  people who are at least 16 years of age.
• Religious ceremonies are performed by a religious
  representative of your choice, as long as they
  are registered with Nova Scotia Vital Statistics
  under the Solemnization of Marriage Act.
• Civil ceremonies are performed by a Justice of
  the Peace or Judge. The list of Justices of the
  Peace is available from the Department of Justice
  website.

14
Registering the Marriage

• The religious representative or Justice of the
  Peace or Judge who performs the ceremony will
  also help to complete the necessary Marriage
  Registration Form.
• Must be sent in within 48 hours by the officiant
  to Vital Statistics where the marriage is
  registered and a legal record is kept.
• The certificate you sign during the ceremony is a
  "memento" document, and NOT legal proof of
  marriage.
• An official Marriage Certificate is legal proof
  of marriage and must be requested.

15
Common Law Marriage

• There is no such thing as common law marriage in
  any province in Canada. No matter how long you
  live with your common law partner, you will never
  be considered married for legal purposes.

16
So what is Common Law?

• Two people, who are not married, live together in
  a 'marriage-like' relationship.
• Every law has its own definition for what
  qualifies as a common-law relationship.
• You cannot file an application to become
  common-law,
• You do not have to go through a formal court
  process when you separate from your common-law
  partner to be considered separated.
• You cannot get divorced.

17
More on Common Law

• Common-law couples do not have the same rights
  and obligations as married couples under the law
  relating to property, debts and pensions.
• Rights and obligations around parenting and
  supporting children are similar to those of
  married couples.

18
Common Law Children

• You have the same rights and obligations toward
  your children REGARDLESS of the type of
  relationship you were in.
• What the rights and obligations are for your
  specific situation will always depend on the
  circumstances.

19
Registered Domestic Partnership

• Formal legal relationship that is registered with
  the government.
• Allows a couple to have some of the rights and
  obligations that married couples have pension
  benefits, property, etc.
• This type of relationship generally gives the
  couple more rights than a common-law
  relationship, but does not have all of the rights
  of a marriage.

20
Pros Cons?

• What are the Pros and Cons for Marriage vs.
  Common Law vs. Domestic Partnership?
• Which one would you choose and why?

21
Chapter 6 Definitions

• Marriage
• Conjugical unions
• Cohabitation
• Polygyny
• Polyandry
• Betrothal
• Bride price
• Dowry
• Dower Rights
• Matrilineal

22
Ancient Hebrew

• Similarities to Current Traditions
• Exchanging of gifts.
• Betrothal promise rings, engagements.
• Protection of womens rights in the marriage.
• Differences from Current Traditions
• Not arranged
• No dowries.
• Sibling and spousefaux pas
• One interesting or surprising thing
• Sisters filling in for deceased wives.

• Characteristics / Traditions
• Arranged.
• Bride Price
• Dowry set up home
• Betrothal
• Dower rights for woman
• Marriage Contract Women obey and bear sons.
• Sister could replace a deceased wife.
• Brother of a deceased man had to marry his wife
  to support his brothers children.
• Primarily economic relationshipfamily wealth and
  creation of more children to contribute to the
  family economy.

23
Ancient Rome

• Characteristics / Traditions
• Patriarchalchanges over time due to warmen are
  away.
• Economic arrangement
• Monogamous

• Similarities to Current Traditions
• Monogamous
• Divorces
• Remarriage
• Christianreligious
• Married several times over a lifetime
• Differences from Current Traditions
• LOVE marriage
• One interesting or surprising thing
• Marriage a way to attain economic and political
  advantage/

24
Middle Ages

• Characteristics / Traditions
• Informal, loosely organized and casually
  enforced.
• Begins to be regulated by Christian church.
• Minimum age 14 (M) 12 (F).
• Delayed marriage after betrothal to ensure both
  parties entered the marriage willingly.
• Regulations

• Similarities to Current Traditions
• Engagement period of time
• Regulations
• Minimum ages
• Differences from Current Traditions
• Different minimum ages.
• One interesting or surprising thing
• Minimum age 14 (M) 12 (F).

25
Protestant Reformation

• Characteristics / Traditions
• Divorce becomes more liberal
• Family being more important than chastity.
• Increasingly love marriages
• Free-choice

• Similarities to Current Traditions
• Most
• Differences from Current Traditions
• Husbands had power over wife
• Rules / laws about marrying in your family.
• Social class
• One interesting or surprising thing
• Incest

26
First Nations

• Characteristics / Traditions
• Matriarchal.
• Men hunted
• Women domestic choresgathering, etc.
• After a child was born
• Arranged
• Gender Roles
• Male Authority

• Similarities to Current Traditions
• Men make the baconwomen cook itsometimes.
• Gender roles exist
• Differences from Current Traditions
• Matriarchal vs. Patriarchal
• Women now work outside home
• Marriage before child is bornOR afterchoice
• Love
• Gender Roles sometimes dont exist.
• Males do not have a right to authority over their
  wives.
• One interesting or surprising thing
• Marrying after a child is born.

27
European Contact

• Characteristics / Traditions
• Male dominated
• Based on Christian traditions
• Dowry
• 20 yrs (W) 28(M)
• Nuclear
• Child Heir would stay at home and look after
  parents in old age.

• Similarities to Current Traditions
• Agesolder marriages
• Still look after older parentsany child.
• Differences from Current Traditions
• Many different types of families
• Dowry
• One interesting or surprising thing
• First Nations temporary marriages.

28
19th Century Canada

• Characteristics / Traditions
• Most free choice . Aka LOVE
• Approval of parent
• June and Fall Harvest
• Older marriages (26-29)
• Divorce illegal in PQ
• Divorce with proof of adultery

• Similarities to Current Traditions
• LOVE
• Popular June and Sept
• Differences from Current Traditions
• Dont need approvalbut is tradition and
  respectful
• One interesting or surprising thing
• Divorce illegal in PQ