Exploring Marriage and Families

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Chapter 5

Question 2: Why do sexual scripts still exist? Will they exist in a 100 years?

Sexual scripts refer to the norms and attitudes surrounding sex that have existed in society. These attitudes surrounding sexual behaviour come from parents, friends, teachers, the media, religious beliefs as well as sexual partners (Seccombe 2012). The reason as to why sexual scripts exist is because sex is mostly a social thing despite the deep beliefs that it is a personal matter. These sexual scripts come into play because society has beliefs and norms that govern the sexual conduct and behaviour of people. Without them, people would be left without direction, and many would not know how to address matters around sex. However, it is vital that people develop strong relationships with their sexual partners so that they do not have to conform to sexual scripts. In a hundred years, likely, these sexual scripts will not exist. Even today, people have shown a lot of independence from sexual scripts, choosing to focus on their personal preferences when it comes to sexual behaviour. As time goes by, people will no longer subscribe to norms, but they will feel free to explore their beliefs.

Question 6: What social forces explain why women and girls are most at risk of AIDs in Africa, while men are most at risk in the U.S.?

In Africa, women and girls are at high risk of AIDS because they are at a disadvantage in terms of power in their relationships. Men have more power than women, and men often have multiple sexual partners. In marriage, the women cannot protect themselves since their husbands contract AIDS as a result of numerous sexual partners (Seccombe 2012). These women also have little knowledge and access to methods such as condoms that prevent transmission, and even then their husbands are likely to refuse to use such methods. In the United States, men are at risk of AIDS, mostly because of same-sex relationships. Male to male sexual contact is the most significant contributor to the spread of HIV among men. Statistics show that black men who have sex with men have the highest prevalence when it comes to HIV infection. Some of the factors that contribute to this include high drug use, risky sexual behaviour and poverty that prevent the infected people from seeking treatment and those at risk from protecting themselves.

Chapter 6

Question 8: How can couples resolve pseudoconflict?

Pseudo conflicts arise when a person feels like their partner’s goal is interfering with theirs, or that their goals are incompatible. The best way to handle this type of conflict is to communicate effectively with each other. Partners should void harbouring negative feelings such as bitterness towards each other. In this way, they can avoid interpreting everything their partner says or does negatively. A couple should always aim to speak to each other with love and respect, and even in times of high tension, there should be clear communication without assumptions.

Question 9: Which conflict management style is the best and why? Why do people seem to prefer compromise when collaboration produces better overall outcomes?

The best conflict management style, in most cases, would be collaboration. In this style, partners work together to try and ensure that both of them achieve their goals (Seccombe 2012). Both of them talk and make their goals clear and work together towards achieving both. None of the partners has to give up on their dream, but they also support their partner in achieving theirs. In this way, both of them win, and thus, this is labelled a win-win situation. When people come across conflicts, they work together to make sure that both of them get the desired outcome without dismissing the goals of their partner.

People prefer compromise even though collaboration would offer the most significant advantage. The main reason for this is that in reality, it is challenging for people to be able to pursue their goals without affecting those of others in some way. One party, therefore, has to give in one way or the other to allow their partner to achieve their goal. One example of this is when a married woman would like to climb to the top of the ladder in her career while her husband wants them to have children. Taking time off to have a baby would make the woman miss out on an important promotion. She must choose one or the other, and whatever decision she makes would lead to compromise.

Chapter 7

Question 1: Why are attitudes towards same-sex marriage changing?

Attitudes towards same-sex marriage are changing due to the increased awareness on matters of equality and discrimination against minorities. A significant majority of American believe that same-sex relationships and marriages should be legalized (Seccombe 2012). . According to proponents, people have no choice in being gay and therefore denying them the right to be in a relationship and marriage of their choice is the highest form of discrimination. Most people believe that all people should be treated fairly and equally, especially in the law; enjoying the rights and freedoms of every other citizen. With increasing activism on fundamental rights and freedoms, the courts have ruled in favour of same-sex marriages, and people have changed their attitude to embrace same-sex couples.

Question 2: What will the next decade bring with respect to laws on same-sex marriage?

The next decade shows great promise with respect to the law permitting same-sex marriages. The Supreme Court of the United States set the bar by legalizing same-sex marriages in the country, and since then, many countries all over the world have done the same. In some states, however, same-sex relationships remain illegal and are punishable by imprisonment and even death. There is increasing awareness of same-sex relationships, and people are coming to accept that everyone should be allowed to be happy in their relationships of choice. Marriage is a freedom that many people enjoy and even same-sex couples should be allowed to get married if they wish. With the change in attitude, laws in many countries are changing to legalize same-sex marriage, and the future holds great promise.

References

Seccombe, K. (2012). Exploring marriages and families. Allyn & Bacon.