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
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