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A Brief History of Marriage & Mate Selection • What is the purpose of marriage? • Why do people marry? • Is marriage still relevant in today’s society? Marriage • Marriage biological urge to reproduce but evolved to be the fundamental social and economic unit in human society • Historically romantic love considered a hindrance to successful marriage. Why? – Impulsive – Does not consider social status & economic stability Marriage in Hunter-Gatherer Societies: • We evolved to be H-G • Mate selection relatively easy process – Men attracted to women who could bear healthy children & nurture them – Women preferred men who could be protectors & providers • Natural selection Men & Women who made successful choices would pass on their mate selection preferences to their children • Two processes at work here: – Individual preferences for mate – Competition with others for mate • Romance No! It’s all about having babies! Marriage in Agricultural Societies • In Agricultural societies, land ownership social status & wealth • Marriage = a way to amass wealth, cement loyalties usually arranged by parents • During this time Religion becomes very important and assumes role of establishing social norms & legitimizing marriages – marriage becomes a sacred ritual Cultural Heritage of Marriage Ancient Hebrew • Marriages were arranged • The bride’s family would pay a Bride Price or Dowry in the form of money, land or chattel • Bride gained dower rights → property rights to her husbands estate • A Marriage Contract established mutual obligations – Divorce was permitted on certain grounds Roman • Patriarchal and Patrilocal (wife would live with husbands family • Early Roman society → strictly monogamous • Later Roman society → Roman society became more egalitarian → marriage for social status, political / economic advantage → divorce was common Middle Ages: • At first marriage was informal • 12th century → church begins to regulate marriage • Feudal system regulated every aspect of medieval society • Marriage becomes a witnessed public event during this period → Banns of Marriage → public announcement of marriage to determine whether the marriage was legitimate Industrial Societies • More people move to densely populated cities • More places to court a “sweetie-pie” out of site of disapproving friends and families • Social status and wealth no longer determined by land children = financial liabilities encouraged to choose own mates with limited parental approval Free-Choice Mate Selection Various Perspectives On Mate Selection: Social Exchange: • Attraction reality over fantasy • People assess the resources they have to offer & look for a mate who will be attracted by these resources • Women tend to ‘marry up’ twice as likely to marry a man with better financial resources • Men Physical qualities that indicate child bearing qualities • Social Homogamy people attracted to individuals from a similar background Symbolic Interactionism: • Attraction based on an individuals unconscious image of our “ideal mate” formed from his/her perception of certain characteristics • “Love at first sight” • Explains how what we find attractive is determined by culture Functionalism: • Mate selection based on qualities that will ensure survival Natural Selection • Men and women must fulfill specific roles