Marriage is a social institution with strong political overtones. The institution has created and enforced gender norms throughout every human society in all historical eras. Therefore, one of the reasons marriage works is because it is often strictly enforced with social codes. Marriage is only now starting to fall out of favor, and is being viewed more and more as an option rather than as an expectation. Yet there are still societal and personal pressures placed on individuals, making marriage work on a collective level. Thus, marriages work well in societies with strict taboos against divorce and even in societies with arranged marriages. Even on a personal level, arranged marriages that are socially sanctioned are often more likely to develop into deep and lasting connections between the spouses. As Bentley (2011) points out, "arranged marriages are far more likely to lead to lasting affection than marriages of passion." The reason for the long-term success of arranged marriages is simple: marriage is a social and political institution and not just a bond between two people who are attracted to one another. Unlike marriages of passion, "arranged matches are carefully considered, with thought going into whether potential partners' families, interests and life goals are compatible," (Bentley, 2011). Thus, the factors that a marriage work can be related to the social and cultural contexts in which the relationship develops. Marriages that are made with strong social ties and approval are likely to work because individual preferences and passions change over time.
It is important to define what "working" is in the context of a marriage. Length of a marriage is not necessarily a sign that the relationship "works" for the individuals concerned, or their families. A lot of marriages last for decades, with each partner resenting the other and frequently cheating. Just because a marriage lasts a long time does not necessarily mean that it works. If "working" is defined not in terms of length, but in the overall functionality of the relationship for both personal and collective goals, then there are some key principles that have been found in common to successful marriages. These key principles include acceptance, communication, independence, and self-discipline. Other factors such as mutual respect, mutual support, and the cultivation of a healthy sex life are also important factors that make a marriage work from the inside, regardless of the social or cultural context in which the marriage occurs.
All marriages encounter conflicts and problems; the successful marriages are ones that cope with those problems in ways that create win-win situations for the partners involved. Pop psychologist and self-help maestro Dr. Phil outlines several issues that successful marriages share in common, based in part on his own experience in a 30-year plus marriage. One of Dr. Phil's solutions is "you don't necessarily solve problems. You learn how to manage them." As Dr. Phil suggests, problems are a part of life, and people cannot magically make problems go away by "solving" every one of them. Not all problems need a "quick fix." Just as a boat captain cannot "solve" the problem of story seas, a successful marriage develops and implements tools that will weather storms instead of trying to make those storms disappear. In an article for Psychology Today, Gottman & Silver (2012) claim that the most important thing for making any marriage work is the ability to resolve conflict: "a lasting marriage results from a couple's ability to resolve the conflicts that are inevitable in any relationship," (Gottman & Silver, 2012). Thus, a successful marriage accepts the fact that conflicts exist and develops tools specific to the relationship that help resolve conflict.
One of the key ways of bolstering the marriage's ability to weather storms is to "turn toward each other rather than away," (Gottman & Silver, 1999). Turning toward each other is a pattern of behavior, Gottman & Silver (1999) point out. In everyday life, a successful couple share problems....
Social institutions are the most fundamental building blocks of societies. They are the structural foundations of human social life. Social institutions "order and structure the behavior of individuals in core areas of society," (Verwiebe, n.d., p. 1). Kinship, religion, and politics are all examples of the social institutions that hold sway over the lives of individuals. However, underneath the strongest of social institutions are the values and norms of that
The Role of Non-Profits as Society EvolvesTurner concludes that the interchanges and interconnections between the cores of the major social institutions have become more complex. However, he goes on to add that although these interchanges have varied historically, the more fundamental relationships among institutions have remained the same. This text seeks to analyze how the role of nonprofits, including the impact, scope, and mission, have evolved historically with the evolving
Marriage - After the Ritual is Over Marriage: After the Ritual is Over Marriage as a lifestyle is far different from the actual wedding. Unfortunately, many people are very focused on the ritual of getting married and not focused on what takes place after the ritual is over. Sometimes this is so pervasive that it can cloud a person's judgment as it relates to the person he or she is marrying -
Marriage implies different meanings based on the time and place of the culture and people concerned. Some notions about marriage are clear for some people and absurd for others. None of the notions are either right or erroneous, but only refers to different forms of marriage. Thoughts of one culture should not be forced on other cultures. The viewpoints vary, that is, some believe in multiple marriage partners while others
Social Interaction Social scientists have traditionally perceived family relationships as being closely connected to the values promoted in environments that communities live in. The way that family relationships are structured and their quality are largely important when considering family functioning. Depending on their understanding of the concept of a family and on their struggle to behave in accordance with ideas they know are going to have a positive effect on their
2. Should marriage be a path to citizenship for an American citizen's alien spouse, children, siblings, or parents? Discuss the pros and cons of prioritizing family reunification in our immigration policies. Marriage should certainly be a path towards American citizenship. People should be free to determine their spouse and this choice should not be restricted to any geographic area. It is often the case that love knows no boundaries. Individuals should
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