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Section 2: Literature (Essays)
Marriage as a Social Institution Exercise | Stephen L. Nock
Marriage as a Social Institution by Stephen L. Nock
SHORT SUMMARY
Marriage as a Social Institution by Stephen L.Nock
Write a short summary of the essay "Marriage as a Social Institution" by Stephen L. Nock.
In this essay, "Marriage is a Social Institution" the author examines the national marriage debate by reviewing the social and demographic trends that have changed the role of marriage and the family.
He says that marriage and parenthood are private matters, relevant only to the individuals directly involved.
First, the author defines marriage as something more than the sum of two spouses. It is a relationship defined by legal, moral and conventional assumptions. Then, he associates it with a social institution, as it is culturally patterned and integrated with other social institutions like education, the economy and politics.
He further states that married spouses have something special that others lack, which helps them manage and sustain their lives.
Emile Durkheim argues that marriage matters to men because it provides their way of life and settles their ambitions. She further states that one of the central problems in modern society is establishing valid limits on the unlimited desire for welfare, comfort, luxury and prestige.
The author also expresses that the marriage trend has significantly declined in the United States. People prefer an unmarried life more than a married life because of the tremendous freedom to arrange a relationship. This phenomenon as a sociological imagination shows that marriage and divorce are now not only concerned with a private matter; they start to translate into a public issue, so this essay starts with how marriage concerns a social problem. For instance, in the case of vacations taken together or separately or depositing money in pooled or separate accounts.
A man may have restrictions over his wife, and in the same way, a wife may have restrictions as well regarding work, commitment, children, religious or cultural practices, and so on. Some people may prefer an unmarried life and live happily together. Such a relationship is not an institution.
The author associates marriage with capital, such as physical capital embodied in skills and knowledge acquired by an individual, and social capital, which consists of a large number of individuals connected by bonds of trustworthiness and trust. Such networks are sustained by social norms and social sanctions (honour, status, etc.), which facilitate certain actions and constrain others. To justify how marriage affects spouses, the author reemphasizes six dimensions that define normative marriage in America: joined freely by mature, heterosexual individuals; husbands are the primary earners, partners are sexually faithful, and parents are involved. Marriage differs from other intimate relationships. It provides a force or special bond in the form of social control.
In this essay, Dr. Stephen L. Nock takes into account the structure of society, defines marriage and the important role families play in society, and explains how it relates to birth control and the judicial response.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Marriage as a Social Institution by Stephen L.Nock
Marriage as a Social Institution Exercise
BEFORE READING
Answer the following questions.
a. What types of marriages are in practice in your culture?
Answer:
In my culture, arranged marriages are in practice. Most arranged marriages are held following Hindu norms and values.
b. Do you think marriages are different from culture to culture?
Answer:
Yes, I think marriages are different from culture to culture. Each culture has different norms and values regarding marriage.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
Answer the following questions.
a. According to the author, what is marriage?
Answer:
According to the author, marriage is a relationship defined by legal, moral and conventional assumptions. It is more than just a union of two spouses. It is an institution connected to important parts of society like schools, the economy and government. Both marriage and parenthood are personal matters that relate only to those directly involved, like married couples.
b. How is marriage an institution?
Answer:
Marriage is an institution as it’s culturally created and linked to big structures like education, economy, and politics. It has outside rules from society, law, and tradition that are above the couple’s personal wishes.
c. What are the rules that a marriage has?
Answer:
The rules of marriage are legal, moral and traditional beliefs that come from outside and create soft boundaries, controlling the couple’s behaviour. Marriage has rules like being faithful to each other, helping each other, taking care of children and having duties to family members. These rules are supported by laws, religion and traditions, giving a clear guide for how to behave in a marriage.
d. Why does marriage matter to men?
Answer:
Marriage matters to men because it provides their lives structure and helps control their uncontrollable impulses and desires to bring moral balance, and protects them from suicide. Emile Durkheim said that marriage gives men a clear focus for their love and a way to be happy within society's rules.
e. What is one of the central problems in modern society?
Answer:
One of the central problems in modern society is that people’s desires for satisfaction, comfort, and status need limits, which marriage provides.
f. What does social capital consist of?
Answer:
Social capital is a network of trust and relationships between people, built through marriage to connect with new relatives and provide support. Social capital consists of extensive networks of individuals who are linked by bonds of credibility and trust.
g. What is normative marriage? Explain.
Answer:
Normative marriage is a marriage that is the accepted image in America, supported by law, religion, and tradition. It includes love, maturity, a man-woman relationship, the man as the main earner, sexual loyalty, and an expectation of children.
REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT
a. Discuss six dimensions that define normative marriage in America.
Answer:
Marriage is present everywhere, but the concept of marriage differs from place to place. Every society has its own norms and values regarding marriage. Whatever the case, it gives two adults of different genders the legal right to live as life partners, fulfilling each other's wishes. Every marriage everywhere follows norms and patterns; the same is the case in the USA. The patterned marriage known as normative marriage follows six dimensions in America. They are:
Love-based free choice: Marriage is a free decision based on love, with no pressure.
Maturity: Both people need to be of age and mentally ready, which brings a sense of responsibility.
Man-woman relationship: It’s traditionally seen as a heterosexual bond between a man and a woman.
Main earner being the man: The man is expected to handle the family’s finances.
Sexual loyalty: Married couples must stay faithful to each other sexually, which is a core part of marriage.
Expectation of children: Having and raising children is expected, seen as key to family continuity. These rules help marriage act as a form of social control.
b. Do marriages differ according to culture? How is your marriage practice different from marriage in America?
Answer:
Yes, marriages differ according to culture. The practices of marriage differ from place to place. These differences can be seen not only across the country, but there are varieties within the country as well. Even in our country, the marriage practices of one geographical location differ from others. However, most people in Nepal perform the marriage ceremony according to the Hindu religion. For us, marriage is a social, spiritual, cultural, and legal union between a man and a woman as husband and wife. It is also the establishment of ties between two families. Here are some of the norms and values to be followed in the marriage ceremony.
Marriage is taken as a religious sacrament rather than a social contract. It is a socially accepted union of a mature man and a woman whose purpose is to procure, enjoy, and comply with certain social obligations. A party from the side of the girl and the other party of the boy is the pre-wedding occasion called engagement. The to-be partners exchange a ring and garland with each other. The ceremony is sanctioned by a family priest, who recites mantras and performs rituals. The date of marriage is fixed on that day.
Our wedding practice is different from marriage in America. We follow Hindu tradition, and Christian tradition is followed in the USA. The marriage ceremony takes place in a religious building called a church, in which a religious leader performs the ceremony. The bride and groom pledge their love and commitment to each other with vows provided by the church. The father of the church asks the guests if they know any reason why the couple should not get married. If no one minds, the couple exchange rings, which symbolise their never-ending love and commitment to each other. In public, for the first time, the couple pronounces each other to the spouses with their first kiss. Our marriage ceremonies are held in religious places. During the time of marriage, both the bride and groom have to follow various rites. Both bride and groom have to hear sacred mantras and take oaths for their fine companionship.
REFERENCE BEYOND THE TEXT
a. Write an essay on the marriage practice in your own culture.
Answer:
Marriage Practice in My Own Culture
By marriage, we mean a union of two or more people that creates a family tie and carries legal, social, and/or religious rights and responsibilities.
Marriage is much more than the fulfilment of a bonded sexual desire by two adult individuals of different sexes. The concept of marriage is changing day by day. Relationships that were previously considered taboo are accepted today; for example, our society now allows transgender marriages.
In our societies, we find different types of marriages and their existence. We find marriages such as monogamy, in which a person is allowed to have only one spouse; serial monogamy, in which one spouse remarries the second after the death or divorce of the first spouse; polygamy, in which a person has multiple husbands and wives; polyandry, in which a wife has multiple husbands; intermarriage within a group; and exogamy, in which marriage occurs in another group.
In my case, I belong to Hinduism. In our religion, we have our own norms and values for marriage. It is taken as a religious sacrament rather than a social contract. It is a socially accepted union of a mature man and a woman whose purpose is to procure, enjoy, and comply with certain social obligations. A party from the side of the girl and the other party of the boy is the pre-wedding occasion called engagement. The to-be partners exchange a ring and garland with each other. The ceremony is sanctioned by a family priest, who recites mantras and performs rituals. The date of marriage is fixed on that day.
b. Is marriage a social institution? Discuss.
Answer:
Yes, marriage is a social institution. We can find a very clear definition of marriage from any sociologist. The definition of marriage differs from person to person.
It is generally defined as a legal union between two people of different sexes with a personal relationship, residential cohabitation, economic cooperation, the formation of a nuclear family bearing children and the fulfilment of sexual needs.
It is taken as an institution as it follows established laws, practices, norms, and traditions that are important for society. People legally form such entities to meet their needs from different people, places, and things.
People of different genders fulfil their needs and desires by being accepted in society by following social norms and values. Marriage is a universal event.
The practice of marriage has been going on in every country, every society, and every tribe since the beginning of human civilization. It is permanent and lasts forever until the end of human civilization.
The concept of marriage is dynamic, as the arrangement of marriage in the past is not the same as in the present.
Child marriage was accepted in the olden days. But it is not accepted at present. At present, widows get married easily, which was rare earlier. Transgender marriage is also currently legal. Transgender marriage is also legal; it gives legal rights like birth certificates and citizenship certification to the children born to the married couple. It is also accepted by religion, law, and other social institutions.
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