...Marriage: A Defining Relationship Marriage, what is it? What does it entail? Are there different kinds of marriage institutions? There are numerous differences of what people in society think makes a marriage. Marriage between a man and a woman; between a man and multiple women; between two women or two men. Which one is correct? Does one have more positive aspects to it and society than the others? There is a growing controversy as to what should be allowed in society by law, for a marriage. Thousands of people believe that marriage is only between a man and a woman, and on the other side, thousands of people believe that same-sex marriage should be legal and provide all the rights as one man and one woman marriages. In my paper I will discuss the differences in the types of marriage, and what I believe to be the only correct and proper way to have a marriage; between one man and one woman. Children need to be brought into this world with a father and mother that love them, and that honor each other and their marriage. “Research findings suggest the value of healthy marriages for child well-being, for adult social and emotional health, and for economic and societal stability.” (Brotherson and Duncan). Marriage between one man and one woman has been around since the beginning of time. According to the Holy Bible, Christians believe that God married Adam and Eve, the first man and woman on the Earth, in the Garden of Eden, and commanded them to “multiply and replenish the earth...
Words: 2352 - Pages: 10
...uneasy around her husband, just like he feels uneasy being around her family. At a crossroad, she must decide not only who she is, and the life she wants, but also the kind of life she wants for her daughter. Her life in Los Angeles has cleansed her from her youth—one that was dusty and full of useless trinkets. She ponders the time her husband wrote the word “D-U-S-T” on those useless trinkets and she remembers her feelings of sadness and indignation. She says, “We live in dusty houses…filled with mementos quite without value to him” (139-40). The dust-covered trinkets signify what is important to her, or what needs to be addressed in her marriage. Yet, these objects just lay there waiting for someone to see them—for someone to dust them off and care for them—not unlike how Didion wishes her husband would see her and nurture her in their marriage. Didion wonders which of her two homes is normal or if they are both flawed. When she and her husband are with her family, he becomes apprehensive about her behavior, “…because once there I fall into their ways, which are difficult, oblique, deliberately inarticulate…” (139). She begins to defend her past, the one she thought she wanted to forget. She feels uneasy when he comes to visit her family and dreads his call when he chooses to stay in Los Angeles. Her husband has no interest in hearing or participating in any of the conversations with her family, as they like to discuss...
Words: 1042 - Pages: 5
...realized that several key elements make a successful open marriage, and though those factors involved the community of people she surrounded herself with, it was mostly about how she chose to act and react, and how to be in her relationship and her own skin. Having come this far, she more than realized that it was never going to be easy. -Jenny Block, Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage Author Jenny Block (2008) provides a personal narrative about her and her husband’s road to negotiating their current state as a nonmonogamous couple within her book Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage. In the brief passage provided, dialectical contradictions can be seen through excerpts such as ‘how to be in her relationship...
Words: 1530 - Pages: 7
...sciences are an important academic discipline that students in most of North America take as a humanity subject (Brotherson & Duncan, 2004). The aim of this paper is to identify the policies and legislation on families in the United States and consumer science and examples will be used to illustrate these clearly. Federal and State laws on Families The United States Supreme Court has long made a pronouncement that the family law belongs to the individual states within the nation’s federalist system. Even if the federal government has as well undertaken regulation of issues that affect families, initially in a sporadic manner and then in a more consistent manner, the Court has made an affirmation of the primary role of the state in defining family. A large number of commentators show of appreciation of this authority allocation, presenting an argument that that it plays an important role in promoting family pluralism by showing to honor to local values and choices. However, others point out that federalism creates “equality by design” (Laura, 2014, p. 1835). Therefore, a large number of commentators present an argument that deference to states play a role of insulating courts and federal agencies from the disorderliness of family life, thus demeaning the family relationships’ significance, devaluating children and women, and improperly emphasizing the divide between the private and public spheres. The critics also point out that the assigning of the family law to states complicates...
Words: 3725 - Pages: 15
...award winning collection but these five couples are mainly chosen for this paper, whose marriages affect due to lack of communication or miscommunication or due to inability or unwillingness to communicate. Shoba and Shukumar in ―A Temporary Matter‖suffer from their breakdown of communication together, after the trauma of losing their child and their inability to discuss their feeling over this loss. However, the communication breakdown in ―Interpreter of Maladies‖ is visible more from Mrs. Das‘s side than her husband‘s and it complicates their malady of marriage, mainly because it leaves her husband unaware of Mr. Das indifference and mere disgust towards him on the one hand, and on the other he is unaware of the infidelity and illegitimate son she keeps in secret. However, in the marriage of Mr. Kapasi, the absence of communication and constant silence become routine and none of the partners is able to change it The breaking down of communication also leads to inability to compromise, which is the case of Sanjev in ―This Blessed House‖, who cannot fully express his opinion and dissatisfaction with Twinkle‘s actions and her lack of care for the household....
Words: 401 - Pages: 2
...Running head: CRITIQUE OF THEORY A Theory Critique: Boundaries in Marriage by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend Linda Mario Liberty University Summary: Boundaries in Marriage by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend The determinants of marital heartache are diverse. Dr. Cloud and Dr. Townsend address boundaries that have sustained multiple marriages and have advocated for the happiness between married couples. When one reads the title, he or she might think the boundaries the authors are trying to set in marriages are on their spouse but “Boundaries are not something you “set on” another person. Boundaries are about yourself” (Cloud & Townsend, 1999, p. 28). The focal points of this book include theories about boundaries, values, resolving conflict, and keeping God in a marriage. Cloud and Townsend (1999) explain that boundaries in marriage is fundamentally about love; prompting, growing, developing, and repairing the love (p.9). John 4:16 states “love is at the heart of marriage, as it is at the heart of God himself” (p.9). Cloud & Townsend (1999) present boundaries in different ways through words, truth, consequences, emotional distance, physical distance, other people and time. The descriptions of these points are crucial pieces in Cloud and Townsend’s theory. An individual’s language and words assist in defining who he or she is as a person and “what you believe, what you want, and what you don’t” (Cloud & Townsend...
Words: 2111 - Pages: 9
...“Love and Marriage, Love and Marriage, It’s an institute you cant disparage, Ask the local gentry, and they will say Is elementary Try, try, try to separate the, It’s an illusion. Try, try, try and you will only come To this conclusion.” Married…with Children and its theme song is one of my all time favorite sitcoms. It was on the air for over a decade and is still in syndication. I know that for a fact because I occasionally get a chance to view it at 4AM CST weekdays on WTBS TV station, Atlanta, GA--thanks to cable! Apparently I am not the only one who love this sitcom and I certainly don’t know if it is for the same reason(s); but I love it because it most accurately reflected a “real” married relationship. I love the general disgust that the married couple, Al and Peggy Bundy, have for each other because over they years when you live with someone in such close quarters, there is going to be some likes and dislikes. After a while, it gets to the point where each person can read each other so well, whether good or bad, but at the end of the day, the realization sets in that this is who you chose to marry and accept the bad with the good. However, the key to living with it for The rest of your life together with that person is to tell them exactly how you feel. Peggy nor Al has no problem with that!!! While the show reflected a housewife who wasn’t getting enough attention because the husband worked and...
Words: 655 - Pages: 3
...Marriage is a moral contract between two individuals that choose to share and live their lives by specific beliefs and ideals. A once cherished practice, marriage is progressively losing the meaning and values behind it due to state legal practices. The need to abolish marriage as a legal contract, from a symbolic interactionist perspective, can best be determined by studying the societal changes displayed by today’s high rates of divorce, increased rates of children being born and raised by single parents and state and federal benefits marring the sanctity of marriage. If we remove state mandated control and deregulate marriage, we can in turn strengthen and encourage marriage based on a couples own perspectives and strengthen the quality of family. Early Americans viewed marriage as the staple to a quality family. Men and women found compatible mates they could spend the rest of their lives with, for reasons of love and procreation. They viewed marriage as forever and worked hard to keep their marriages strong. The symbolism behind a strong marriage meant a strong quality family unit. Today, with the tax benefits associated with marriage, it is more of a social contract that is not based on moral obligations, but financial benefits. The Federal tax benefits they give to married couples provide incentive for individuals to get married. This incentive takes the focus away from personal and moral beliefs and persuades an individual to focus on financial reasoning. For example...
Words: 1197 - Pages: 5
... a woman is at a great disadvantage. She has suffered all types of cruelty and humiliation all along centuries with patience and in silence. This part of woman is symbolized, in tradition by calling her as the Mother Earth who bears all sufferings. The cardinal principle of the survival of the fittest applies to the weak, natural attributes of woman which renders her less fit for survival than man. She must live at his mercy and on his charity, silently bearing all his atrocities unless and until society in an enlightened mood comes to her rescue. What is dowry? 1. Anything transacted or agreed to be transacted between the parties of the marriage is dowry. 2. Any transaction or demands for such a transaction which was not agreed upon by concerned parties in connection with marriage falls beyond the scope of dowry. What constitutes offence in dowry death cases? 1. Offences under the Dowry Prohibition Act: a) Giving and taking dowry after 2-10-1985 is an offence except customary presents, given to bride or bridegroom in keeping with the donor's financial status without any demand. The offence is punishable u/s: 3 of the Act. b) Demanding dowry from the spouse's relatives or guardians is an offence from 2-10-1985. The offence is punishable u/s: 4 of the Act. c) A person failing to give to...
Words: 2623 - Pages: 11
...capturing, or punishing rule breakers” (Nowak & Laird, 2010, sec. 3.6). This is due to the small size of their band, their claim to little or no private property, and the fact that food is shared with everyone in the community. Furthermore, San societies are relatively smaller than most societies due to their constant moving to find new areas to forage. Moreover, the San, known for their skills as hunters and gatherers comprise most of their diet from big game, roots and tubers. In the same way, the men of the San culture hunt big game while the women gather or forage for roots, grains and tubers. The kinship system of the San culture influences the way this culture think, act and live by the way they share food and resources, the way they view marriage and divorce, and how they resolve conflict within their community. In addition, we will examine how these behaviors compare to American culture. Kinship is defined as a “System of...
Words: 1401 - Pages: 6
...Death Due to Dowry - A Legal Analysis SOCIOLOGY By : RASHMI NAIK TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CASES 3 TABLE OF AUTHORITIES 4 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 7 CHAPTER I: DEFINING DOWRY IN LEGAL TERMS. 9 CHAPTER II: SOCIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF DOWRY AND LEGAL ANALYSIS.. 13 CHAPTER III: IS DOWRY DEATH DECLINING? 19 CONCLUSION 21 BIBLIOGRAPHY 23 TABLE OF CASES 1. Dwarkadas shrinivas v. Sholapur Spinning and Weaving Co. 2. K. Prema S. Rao v. Yadla Srinivasa Rao,. 3. Kunju Moideen v. Sayed mohd. 4. Paniben (Smt), v. State of Gujarat. 5. Smt. Shanti and Another v State of Haryana. 6. The Collector of Bombay v. Nusserwanji Rattanji Mistri and others. 7. V. Jhadav v. Shankarrao Abasaheb pawar and others. 8. Samir Samanta v.The State, 9. Gurditta Singh v. The State Of Rajasthan, 10. Shamnsaheb M Multani v. State of Karnataka 11. Pawan Kumar v. State of Haryana 12. Ashok Kumar v. State of Rajasthan 13. Kundula Bala Subrahmanyam and Another v. State of Andhra Pradesh TABLE OF AUTHORITIES 1. Dowry prohibition Act, 1961. 2. Indian Evidence Act, 1872. 3. Indian Penal Code, 1860. INTRODUCTION Dowry death is an important topic in a country like India, which has given shame to this country. In the past centuries, women were generally abused exploited and discarded and were denied social, economic and political justice. Dowry is one among the cruel social practices practiced in India. Dowry is an issue in which women’s...
Words: 5053 - Pages: 21
...Ethnography (Milestone 3) Bali is one of Indonesia's most prosperous provinces and wet-rice production is their economic mainstays (Jha 4). For this ethnography project, the cultural group that was investigated is the Balinese of Indonesia from a post colonial period. There are several topics with respect to the cultural group that are discussed in this paper such as gender roles, kinship, and marriage. These topics have great importance in understanding the social structure of the families of Bali. According to Scupin, "Some societies approve of premarital and extramarital sexual relations, whereas others strictly segregate males from females to prohibit such relations" (Scupin 70). The role of Balinese women is of great importance in their society's everyday life. Women are primarily important as mothers because they are organizers and are caring nurturers. It is the mother who is responsible for the physical, moral, and ritual care of children. These responsibilities include cooking and feeding, cleaning, laundry, housework, dressing, teaching of everyday life skills, responsibility for the child's ritual purity and safety, teaching of manners and guidance on children's social problems and moral training (Parker 163). Balinese women do not attempt to compete against men as equals and nor do they threaten the higher power of men meaning they accept to be an inferior role. It's also mention that Balinese women don't suffer from the disadvantages of their lack of participation...
Words: 1418 - Pages: 6
...Examine the reasons for the changes in the patterns of marriage In the last 30 years, the British society has experienced many changes affecting the family. There have been changes in attitudes to and expectations of family life, as well as official changes such as government legislation. Society has been affected by feminism, which has led to increased awareness of women’s rights and freedoms, as well as postmodernism and secularisation. The changes resulting have affected marriage rates, which are decreasing, and more people are now marrying later in life and more than once. More people are choosing to cohabit, either before or instead of marrying, and this is becoming increasingly common in young couples. Divorce rates have also increased in the last 30 years, following changes in legislation and attitudes. As society’s view of a ‘conventional family’ has changed over the last 30 years, the acceptable norms have widened. In the past, an unmarried woman would be looked down on, as it was expected that women would marry and invest their time in raising a family. If they didn’t, it could be presumed that could they couldn’t find a willing partner, or that there was something wrong with them. Although 95.1% of British women still marry before they are 49, it has become more acceptable to choose not to get married, and rather than being looked down on, single women are more likely to be viewed as strong, focussed, and independent. This means there is less pressure on...
Words: 1675 - Pages: 7
...12/2/2010 Sociology Final Paper Marriage and Family The simplest and most basic foundation of a sociological civilization or group begins at the core center of sociology; which is marriage and the inner-fabric creation of a family. It is said that matches are made in heaven, however finding and defining your “soul mate” differs from one social group to the next. The social institution of marriage changes and adapts consistently through time, religious practice, and national beliefs. Many people believe they lead happy and satisfying lives without a marital partner, as others highly value and desire a life-long marital partner as the pinnacle achievement of their life. The uniqueness of marriage is that every race, class, religion, and country is involved one way or another in that social institution. One particular reason is the need to reproduce and add new members to a group. Margaret Anderson and Howard Taylor in Sociology: The Essentials mention the concept of a functionalism. Functionalism is defined as a theoretical perspective that interprets each part of society in terms of how it contributes to the stability of the whole society. The creation and upbringing of a son or daughter in a marriage fulfills society’s needs. Whether the upbringing of a child is conducted properly and positively varies by family, but sexual reproduction accomplishes the selfless task of adding to a society. The traditional Functionalist Theory in the United States of America interprets...
Words: 1612 - Pages: 7
...Life Defining Moments My friend & I were in the car, on our way to Glorietta 4 to catch movie with the rest of the group. She then asked me if some life-defining moments ever occurred. I wasn’t sure what she was talking about & I didn’t have a quick answer for that. I remember her telling me that one of her life defining moments was looking at a framed picture by her bedside, a picture of her and her gorgeous boyfriend, her arms around his neck, in a candid pose. Or something like that. I remember laughing, sine I could have thought of that too. She then explained that a life-defining moment was something you’d like to happen in the future no matter how far-off or crazy it might be. It was like a goal of some sort, but it’s just something conjured up to tickle the imagination. We didn’t dwell on that for long, for the conversation reverted to Harry Potter’s new adventures and the movie that were about to watch that afternoon. I totally forgot it, until a kabarkada now based in Seattle shared her own life-defining moment through e-groups, after that friend of mine (whom I watched the movie with) shared a brand-new one. They were all seeing themselves as successful IT Professionals in power suits rushing from their pad to their office in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. They were either carrying Loius Vitton bags or their slim Compaq notebooks, while talking with a client on their top-of-the-line mobile phones and the, most expensive Armani shades protecting their...
Words: 1313 - Pages: 6
