RESPONSES ON MARRIAGE

Research based reasons why marriages are likely to be homogenous

Preference of the marriage participants or candidates for specific characteristics in spouse

The interference of third parties in the selection and decision-making process

The constraints of the environment or the general market from which the marriage candidates are looking for spouses

Traditions influence the decisions, since all traditions identify and describe patterns of social introduction and also relevant decisions

The existence of “peoplehood”, this exists mainly in education-based factors, for instance when the marriage candidates are having all the decisions as consequences of the education plans and general activities.

Explanations for how and why marriages are becoming more heterogeneous overtime

Lack of standardization in families, this occurs as less than a fourth of the total families are said to be living with their children. The latter results from the increased divorce in marriages. These occurrences demand for inclusion of caretaking services and extended family involvement in family issues. This factor is increased since most people believe that most parents should divorce in cases of unhappy marriages.

The effects of reproductive technology and rights have brought to extinction the original meaning and understanding of a family. This increase exists, as reproductive labor and general genetic material are available in the market for purchases. Additionally, since most states allow gay families to raise children, there is an increased likelihood of raising the children through non-parent related care, for instance, by extended relatives. This also increases greatly as most states allow gay man or lesbian woman to adopt his or her partner’s child.

The variation in the current economic and gender changes, this is a result of the number of parents whose children are under the age of eighteen, and thus to work outside the homestead. Additionally, the number of women parents pursuing the academic courses has increased hence influencing the current family structures. Consequently, there is demand for flexibility among the parents pursuing their studies, to enhance proper management of their work tasks and parenting tasks.

Explain the potential effects of marriage being more heterogeneous (what happens as a result)

There is improper management of the children. These factors also leads to distorted family strictures.

The existence of heterogeneous marriages leads to a total change in people’s perception in marriage, thus reduced worth of marriage and families.