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Marriage & the Family
The Foundation of Family WellBeing
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
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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.
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.
Complimentary Needs Theory
Theory states that people choose a partner
who compliments (or completes) and meets
their own personal needs.
– Each person’s strength’s 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?v=NpWAlvWNZj
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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 one’s
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
don’t want!”
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.
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.
Marriage
Canada has CIVIL marriage…this 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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 commonlaw partner to be considered separated.
• You cannot get divorced.
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.
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.
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.
Pros & Cons?
• What are the Pros and Cons for Marriage
vs. Common Law vs. Domestic
Partnership?
• Which one would you choose and why?
Chapter 6 Definitions
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Marriage
Conjugical unions
Cohabitation
Polygyny
Polyandry
Betrothal
Bride price
Dowry
Dower Rights
Matrilineal
Ancient Hebrew
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Characteristics / Traditions
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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
relationship…family wealth and
creation of more children to
contribute to the family economy.
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Similarities to Current Traditions
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Exchanging of gifts.
Betrothal: promise rings, engagements.
Protection of women’s rights in the
marriage.
Differences from Current
Traditions
– Not arranged
– No dowries.
– Sibling and spouse…faux pas
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One interesting or surprising thing
– Sister’s filling in for deceased
wives.
Ancient Rome
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Characteristics / Traditions
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Similarities to Current Traditions
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– Patriarchal…changes over time
due to war…men are away.
– Economic arrangement
– Monogamous
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Differences from Current Traditions
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Monogamous
Divorces
Remarriage
Christian…religious
Married several times over a lifetime
LOVE marriage
One interesting or surprising thing
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Marriage a way to attain economic and
political advantage/
Middle Ages
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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
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Similarities to Current Traditions
– Engagement period of time
– Regulations
– Minimum ages
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Differences from Current
Traditions
– Different minimum ages.
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One interesting or surprising thing
– Minimum age 14 (M) 12 (F).
Protestant Reformation
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Characteristics / Traditions
– Divorce becomes more liberal
– Family being more important than
chastity.
– Increasingly love marriages
– Free-choice
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Similarities to Current Traditions
– Most
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Differences from Current
Traditions
– Husbands had power over wife
– Rules / laws about marrying in
your family.
– Social class
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One interesting or surprising thing
– Incest
First Nations
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Characteristics / Traditions
– Matriarchal.
– Men hunted
– Women domestic
chores…gathering, etc.
– After a child was born
– Arranged
– Gender Roles
– Male Authority
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Similarities to Current Traditions
– Men make the bacon…women
cook it…sometimes.
– Gender roles exist
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Differences from Current
Traditions
– Matriarchal vs. Patriarchal
– Women now work outside home
– Marriage before child is born…OR
after…choice
– Love
– Gender Roles sometimes don’t
exist.
– Males do not have a right to
authority over their wives.
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One interesting or surprising thing
– Marrying after a child is born.
European Contact
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Characteristics / Traditions
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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.
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Similarities to Current Traditions
– Ages…older marriages
– Still look after older parents…any
child.
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Differences from Current
Traditions
– Many different types of families
– Dowry
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One interesting or surprising thing
– First Nations temporary
marriages.
19th Century Canada
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Characteristics / Traditions
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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
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Similarities to Current Traditions
– LOVE
– Popular June and Sept
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Differences from Current
Traditions
– Don’t need approval…but is
tradition and respectful
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One interesting or surprising thing
– Divorce illegal in PQ