Marriage in Sociology

Introduction of marriage in sociology

Although the definition of marriage may seem obvious, it is a good introduction to the topic.

In Western societies, people are only allowed to be married to one person at a time. This is called monogamy. Marriages can legally be terminated with a divorce.

In a religious context, marriage is the union of two people recognised by God.

Types of marriage in sociology

Let us look at the different types of marriage.

Arranged marriage as a type of marriage

In pre-industrial Western society, arranged marriages were the norm. The upper classes wanted to enhance their family status and wealth through marriage while the lower-class families looked for better ways to distribute work.

In non-Western countries, arranged marriages are still common practice.

Civil partnership instead of marriage

Same-sex couples often entered a civil partnership before it became legal for them to get married.

Fig. 1 - Before marriage was legal for same-sex couples, they often entered a civil partnership.

UK trends in marriage: sociology

Let's look at some UK trends in marriage. Generally, there has been a decline in the number of marriages for decades in the West.

• In 2018, ONS registered the lowest number of marriages in England and Wales since 2009.
• There was a decline in religious ceremonies.
• Only around one-fifth of opposite-sex marriages were religious ceremonies in 2018.
• In opposite-sex marriages, the average age for women was 35.8 years, while for men it was 38.1.
• In same-sex marriages, the average age for women was 36.9 years, while for men 40.4.

These point to a gradual increase in the average age at marriage (ons.gov.uk).

Challenges of marriage in sociology

Let us look at some challenges of marriage, which may explain the declining marriage rate in the West.

Economic factors of marriage

• Weddings are increasingly expensive. A couple may want to save money for their first home rather than spend it on a wedding.

• Due to the increasing cost of weddings, couples may choose to delay weddings to save up for them, especially if they want a 'dream' wedding.

Changing gender roles and impact on marriage

• Women have more career opportunities, so they are more financially independent and do not need a husband to support them.

• Women are no longer pressured into marriages at a young age. It is widely accepted for both genders to search and wait for the 'right' partner.

• Feminist sociologists have shed light on the exploitative aspects of marriage, so the traditional institution of marriage is no longer appealing for women.

Changing social attitudes toward marriage

Various changes in social attitudes have gradually contributed to the declining marriage rate. As society has changed, so has its opinions about marriage.

Secularisation

• Traditional religious organisations have lost their strong influence over Western society.

• People no longer hold the same God-centred religious beliefs about marriage as before; for example, people are less likely to see marriage as a match created by God.

The declining stigma around unmarried couples

• It is no longer stigmatised in wider society to have children outside of marriage, which means marriage is not a prerequisite for reproducing.

• Sex and cohabitation outside of marriage are also commonly accepted in modern Western society.

• The idea of searching and waiting for the ‘right’ partner is accepted, perhaps even encouraged.

Postmodernist individualism and impact on marriage

Finding romantic love, the 'right' type of relationship, and the ‘perfect’ partner is more important than having the legal status of being married.

Fear of divorce

• There is an increasing fear of divorce; Anthony Giddens and Ulrich Beck (1992) claim that divorce statistics put off people. They don't want the risk of the marriage not working out.

• People fear both the economic and emotional consequences of a divorce.

'New’ marriage trends

People in Western countries have not given up on marriage completely; they are still very common. So, what has changed?

• Fewer people marry.

• People marry at an older age than before.

• There are more remarriages.

• Fewer people marry in a church, or in a religious ceremony.

• People marry for love instead of economic reasons.

• People participate in relationship counselling and marriage guidance to make their partnership work.

These factors all affect the marriage rate.

Marriage or cohabitation?

The increasing rate of cohabitation is an important reason for the decline in the marriage rate.

In simpler terms, it is an unmarried couple living in the same residence. According to statistics, cohabitation is a rapidly growing 'marriage type' in the United Kingdom. Some people choose cohabitation instead of marriage because they believe it provides a more equal relationship and household.

However, cohabitation is not necessarily an alternative to marriage. Many people live in cohabitation before they get married to test if they are compatible. That said, cohabiting couples are more likely to break up than married couples.

The importance of marriage in sociology: sociological perspectives on marriage

We can understand the importance of marriage in sociology by considering how different sociological perspectives view marriage. How important is it to marry, and to deal with declining marriage rates?

Researching marriages is sometimes difficult because of missing legal records and confusing statistical data. Nevertheless, the decline in the number of marriages (and the increase in the number of divorces) in the West has been clear for decades.

Feminist perspective on marriage

Feminist sociologists of the 1980s, led by Ann Oakley and Christine Delphy, held negative views on marriage. They argued that marriage was the construct of the patriarchal system and that the marriage contract in reality was a work contract.

According to feminist sociologists, men exploited their wives in two ways: through women's bodies and through women's labour.

Exploitation of women's bodies in marriages

Sexual assault within marriage was not considered a criminal offence in Britain until 1992. A husband was allowed to take advantage of his wife's body any time, even against her will.

Exploitation of women's labour in the home

Women do the majority of the labour of the household and childcare to support their husbands' jobs. All of this is unpaid and therefore exploitative.

Feminists, in general, saw divorce as a way to 'break free' from men's control and therefore from exploitation.

Functionalist perspective on marriage

Functionalists are optimistic about marriage. Marriage is an important institution in society, as it fulfils the function of socialisation of the young and reproduction of the next generation. Therefore, marriage is essential for the cohesion and social solidarity of society.

Functionalists claim that the reason why many marriages fail is that people have overly high expectations towards their partners and towards the institution of marriage. According to them, people want their partners to be everything at the same time: romantic lovers, caring parents, and supportive friends. When marriage does not provide them with all of these, they are disappointed in the institution and get a divorce.

The New Right perspective on marriage

The New Right is devoted to the traditional institution of marriage. They see marriage as the path to the nuclear family, which they think serves as 'the building block' of society. According to them, the rising divorce rate in the West is the result of a general moral decline, which needs to be reversed for society, especially for children.

The New Right has very negative views on the rising number of welfare-dependent single mothers that arise as a result of broken-down marriages.

Fig. 3 - The New Right sees the nuclear family as the building block of society.

Postmodernist perspective on marriage

The research of Ulrich Beck and Elisabeth Beck-Gernsheim (2001) raises awareness of the insecurities and difficulties people in postmodernist Western society face when it comes to dating and relationships. People have more opportunities in life, which means more insecurity.

They want to perfect themselves, and find the perfect partner and the most suitable relationship style. This means they do trial runs and live in cohabitation before committing to marriage. As a result, people get married later in life. At the same time, the rising divorce rate puts others off completely from the idea of marriage.

Postmodernists in general see the value in marriage, but they recognise that societal pressure and changes make it increasingly difficult to stick with it. Postmodernists support family forms that are different from the traditional nuclear family too.

Personal life perspective on marriage

Sociologists of the personal life perspective aim to understand what marriage means for the individual.

Personal life sociologists, strongly influenced by interactionists, argue that romantic relationships can be substituted by non-romantic ones. Therefore, marriage is not a necessity for everyone; emotional support, happiness and fulfilment can come from friends, relatives, hobbies, sports, and even work.