Sociology of Marriage and Family Dynamics

The idea that family life is shaped by patterns of interaction between individuals.

Views family relationships as based on a system of exchanging resources.

A micro-level approach concentrates on individuals and their experiences, while a macro-level approach focuses on larger societal structures and patterns.

Families are seen as institutions that play important roles in society.

The concept that individuals are influenced by their social positions and economic circumstances.

A marriage arranged by families, usually based on social status and economic considerations.

A marriage where the couple chooses each other based on mutual affection and romantic love.

The exchange of resources, including wealth, favors, and social status, between families in an arranged marriage.

The practice of partners choosing each other based on shared racial or ethnic backgrounds.

The increasing number of marriages between people of different races and ethnicities.

The legal union of two people, traditionally considered a union of a man and a woman.

A decision made by the Supreme Court in 1967 that declared interracial marriage legal in all states.

The idea that marriage benefits women more than men, often perpetuated by societal expectations.

A social structure where men hold more power and influence than women.

The average age at which people first get married.

The act of choosing a partner based on personal preference, rather than societal pressures.

A traditional expectation that women bear and raise children, often seen as a primary duty within a marriage, particularly in cultures with limited access to effective contraception.

The cost of raising a child includes expenses like food, housing, education, and healthcare, which can significantly impact family finances, particularly in industrialized nations.

The trend of families having fewer children is particularly prominent in high-income countries, where the cost of raising a child is higher and there are often fewer economic incentives for large families.

Long-term marriages in the United States have become increasingly common due to rising life expectancy, leading to longer periods of married life.

The period after children leave home, often marked by a renewed focus on the marriage and a shift in the couple's dynamic.

While sexual passion may naturally decline over time, deeper understanding and commitment often strengthen a marriage as couples age.

The availability of parental leave allows parents to take time off from work to care for a newborn or deal with family emergencies. However, the availability and duration of leave can vary, and many parents still face challenges balancing work and family responsibilities.

The continued close connection between older adults and their grown children, often maintained through regular contact and geographically proximity.

The number of divorces per 1,000 people, regardless of age.

Divorce rates are generally higher in the Western United States, particularly in states with liberal divorce laws, like Nevada.

People who are younger, have weaker religious ties, and have moved away from their parents' hometown are more likely to get divorced.

Children who witness their parents' divorce are more likely to consider divorce themselves in their own marriages.

The divorce rate for second marriages is higher than for first marriages. This can be attributed to factors that contribute to divorce remaining present, making people more likely to end a second marriage.

People living in rural areas are less likely to divorce than people living in large cities, although this difference is shrinking.

Divorce rates have remained relatively stable among people with a college education or high-paying jobs.

Divorce rates are increasing and marriage rates are declining among those without a college degree or low-paying jobs.

The trend of one-parent families becoming more common in the United States.

A family where only one parent lives with the children.

The number of children living with only one parent or no parents in the US has increased significantly since 1972.

The United States has experienced significant changes in family structures, with single-parent families becoming more common.

Most families in the United States are still comprised of married couples raising children.

The number of one-parent families in the US has nearly doubled since 1972.

The trend of single-parent families becoming more common reflects the increasing diversity in family life in America.

Around 32% of American families with children younger than 18 years old are single-parent households.

A legal union between two people, now including same-sex couples.

A situation where a single parent, usually a mother, raises a child.

Violence within a domestic relationship, often involving physical harm, emotional abuse, or control.