Effects of marriage

Last updated

In family law, effects of marriage is a legal term of art used to describe all of the rights and obligations that individuals may be subject and entitled to if they are in a common-law marriage, an annulled marriage, domestic partnership or a civil union.

Contents

Thus, even if the underlying marriage is held to be void there may still be rights and obligations that continue and are recognized by court order. An example may be an annulled marriage where the court awards alimony to the weaker, poorer or less well educated spouse to allow them a period of time to go back to school or re-enter the work force.

There are a few positive and negative influences of marriage on an individual. Life after marriage depends on individual and partner. [1] [ self-published source? ] First of all, an individual becomes excited that they will begin to share their life with someone who cares for them, and whom they feel comforted by. They will feel excited to know that soon they will be starting a family of their own, and that they will become parents of their own children. Research has shown that those individuals who live a stable marital relationship tend to live longer, have a better physical health, better functional health at old age and better emotional health than those in troubled marriages or who are divorced.

On the other hand, there a few negative influences of marriage on an adult. An adult can become stressed out on the fact that they will need to make compromises and sacrifices, in order to form a good marital relationship. This can lead to a loss of hobbies, because there are restrictions about what the individuals can do; and these restrictions are for both the men and women in the relationship. The adult may develop a sense of stress because they have a lot of responsibility ahead of them. In addition, the individuals in the relationship can become upset by the fact that they have to make sure that their relationship has no betrayals, and it is kept loyal, throughout the couple's lives.[ citation needed ]

Traditional marriage

Traditional marriage defined as being between a man and a woman as defined by the American psychological association by defining it as "a marriage of husband and wife, wherein the former is the primary or sole breadwinner and the latter holds primary or sole responsibility for maintaining the home and managing child care." [2] This union, when intentionally invested in, can have health benefits for the individuals involved. Furthermore, the American Sociological Association noted on their findings that is it not necessarily being in a marriage that brings the benefits, rather it is being in a "good marriage" quality that brings benefits of better health and well-being. [3] Individuals can be in marriage and have their health plummet because the relationship is abusive. Thus, it is evident that the quality of the marriage is a determining factor if people receive health benefits.

Studies have shown that single individuals are at a disadvantage relative to married individuals in terms of recovering from or adapting to illness with even less difference in health behavior, morbidity, and self-reported health. [4] Married individuals are typically healthier than unmarried individuals. [5] Furthermore in regards to mental health, Gove et al., found in their studies that marital status appears to be approximately as powerful a factor of determining mental health as education, income and even more so in regard to age, race or childhood background. [6] Ironically, as more research are conducted, it is gradually shown that the belief that trying to have more free time and less busy work does not make people happy. Often times, people believe that in order to be happy, they need to have less social constraints and obligations. However, research has shown that the very social constraints and obligations that many believe steal our happiness from us are the very things that are necessary by-products of living with others that have a strong effect on our mental well-being that tends to override the positive effect of companionship and social support among those who never married, are divorced or are separated or widowed. [6]

It is also worth mentioning that data shows that cohabitation may appear to have much of the same advantages to health that marriage does; which may lead individuals to assume that cohabitation is a good alternative to marriage. However, as a caution it is good to remember that cohabitation also is a less stable family structure both for couples with or without children. Furthermore, it has been found that those in cohabitating relationships are more likely to end their unions, have lower life satisfaction, have low relationship quality and more likely to be depressed. Thus, we see that more benefits lie in traditional marriage than cohabitation. [7]

The benefits of marriage go beyond health and living with a partner, because marriage is a public vow and a legal contract, it signifies a stronger and more sacred commitment between the partner to the public and more importantly, to each other. [7] Individuals who share a union in marriage may have better long-term perspectives that the single or cohabitating counterparts because marriage is intended to last through life. Marriage also makes couples stronger because due to the fact that when the going gets tough, couples are motivated to work harder on their relationship, [7] which forges a stronger and more powerful bond in the marriage. The union of marriage between husband and wife brings a sense of security and wellbeing in emotional reassurance, financial stability, security for their children and the comfort of not being alone in old age say focus group respondents throughout Europe and Australia. Lastly, this security is only strengthened by the protection marriage provides in certain countries within the legal system; thus we see that marriage reduces insecurities in life and increase general well-being which overall greatly affects health. [7]

Healthier people in marriages may have a better chance of having a successful marriage. [5] A healthier person may be more appealing to their partner. For example, having a higher income could improve the health care individuals receive or lowers stress. In certain marriages, a spouse may help in monitoring and encouraging healthy behaviors; as well as discouraging unhealthy habits. Marriage may provide an emotional fulfilling relationship. Which would satisfy the need for a social connection. Marriage is able to reduce depressive symptoms for both men and women. As marriage is able to reduce them, divorce is able to increase them. [5] Marriage can also be associated with less healthier behaviors. For example, alcohol consumption, drug use, cigarette smoking, diet, and exercise. [5]

Same-sex marriage

In same-sex marriages, marriage has a more positive effect than negative. Single persons in the same-sex world happen to be more distressed. [8] In contrast to same-sex marriage, heterosexuals have the lowest psychological distress. Lesbians, gays, and bisexuals who are not in a legalized marriages have the highest psychological distress. [8] Marriage diminishes mental health issues between people in the same-sex community. [8] Children who are raised in such marriages grow with the same beneficial experiences when compared to children raised in heterosexual marriages. Science shows that there is no reason to deny such people marriage, however there is scientific research show there are adverse effects when denying heterosexual couples to marry. [9]

Polygamy

Polygamous marriages can have negative effects on women and are illegal in many countries. Many women experience feelings of neglect and jealousy. [10] Men, often, are not fair when it comes to equally splitting their time in these marriages, though they may desire to be. It is possible that women rarely see their husbands or have their needs met. This not only applies to women, but also their children. [10] The severity of the negative effects depend on the tolerance and patience of the wife. In more serious cases, it can range from depression, tantrums, or illness. [10] All of the previously mentioned feelings and conditions can certainly affect men too. There are also pros for either sex when they are in a polygamas marriage. [11] For men, their sexual needs are met more fully, and society views the man as more successful. For women, it is a decrease in individual household chores and less pressure to provide many healthy and fit children. As a household, they have shown to have better choice and availability of food as well as they often times have healthier children. [12]

Differences between sex, race, and education

In opposition to men, women are more likely to get married and remarried. Women are also more likely to get married younger. [13] Caucasians marry at a higher rate, then Asian, Hispanic, American Indian and lastly African Americans; listed in decreasing order. For each race, marriage numbers jump immensely from ages 23–25. [14] In comparison to Hispanics and Whites, Blacks were less likely to get married and more likely to get divorced. [13] 70% of non-Hispanic Caucasian children and 59% of Hispanics reported to live with both parents. However, for African Americans only 1/3rd reported such findings. [15] People who did not complete high school were less likely to get married over people who did complete high school. [13] For those who achieved a bachelor's degree or higher, 69% did not divorce and of those with such degrees 29.7% got divorces. [13] About 48% of those who graduated high school and/or got an Associate's degree, got divorced. The more education one has, the later in life they are to get married.[ citation needed ]

Divorce

As time goes on, many changes have affected divorce and marriage rates. [14] 2000 divorce was 4.0 per 1,000 people, 2015 down to 3.1 per 1,000, in 2018 it went down again to 2.9 per 1,000, and in 2020 it is 3.0 per 1,000. [13] Divorce rates decline as educational attainment increases. It is also said that people who marry later in life are less inclined to get divorced. [16] The Coronavirus disease has caused the divorce rates to jump an additional 34% compared to previous years in the United States. [17]

See also

Related Research Articles

Cohabitation is an arrangement where people who are not married, usually couples, live together. They are often involved in a romantic or sexually intimate relationship on a long-term or permanent basis. Such arrangements have become increasingly common in Western countries since the late 20th century, being led by changing social views, especially regarding marriage, gender roles and religion.

Divorce is the process of terminating a marriage or marital union. Divorce usually entails the canceling or reorganizing of the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage, thus dissolving the bonds of matrimony between a married couple under the rule of law of the particular country or state. It can be said to be a legal dissolution of a marriage by a court or other competent body. It is the legal process of ending a marriage.

In social psychology, an interpersonal relation describes a social association, connection, or affiliation between two or more persons. It overlaps significantly with the concept of social relations, which are the fundamental unit of analysis within the social sciences. Relations vary in degrees of intimacy, self-disclosure, duration, reciprocity, and power distribution. The main themes or trends of the interpersonal relations are: family, kinship, friendship, love, marriage, business, employment, clubs, neighborhoods, ethical values, support and solidarity. Interpersonal relations may be regulated by law, custom, or mutual agreement, and form the basis of social groups and societies. They appear when people communicate or act with each other within specific social contexts, and they thrive on equitable and reciprocal compromises.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homosexuality and psychology</span> Homosexuality as viewed by the field of psychology

The field of psychology has extensively studied homosexuality as a human sexual orientation. The American Psychiatric Association listed homosexuality in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1952, but that classification came under scrutiny in research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. That research and subsequent studies consistently failed to produce any empirical or scientific basis for regarding homosexuality as anything other than a natural and normal sexual orientation that is a healthy and positive expression of human sexuality. As a result of this scientific research, the American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1973. Upon a thorough review of the scientific data, the American Psychological Association followed in 1975 and also called on all mental health professionals to take the lead in "removing the stigma of mental illness that has long been associated" with homosexuality. In 1993, the National Association of Social Workers adopted the same position as the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association, in recognition of scientific evidence. The World Health Organization, which listed homosexuality in the ICD-9 in 1977, removed homosexuality from the ICD-10 which was endorsed by the 43rd World Health Assembly on 17 May 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infidelity</span> Cheating, adultery, or having an affair

Infidelity is a violation of a couple's emotional and/or sexual exclusivity that commonly results in feelings of anger, sexual jealousy, and rivalry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Premarital sex</span> Sexual activity before marriage

Premarital sex is sexual activity which is practiced by people before they are married. Premarital sex is considered a sin by a number of religions and also considered a moral issue which is taboo in many cultures. Since the Sexual Revolution of the 1960s, it has become accepted by certain liberal movements, especially in Western countries. A 2014 Pew study on global morality found that premarital sex was considered particularly unacceptable in "Muslim Majority Countries", such as Malaysia, Jordan and Pakistan, each having over 90% disapproval, while people in Western European countries were the most accepting, with Spain, Germany, and France expressing less than 10% disapproval.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breakup</span> Termination of an intimate relationship

A relationship breakup, breakup, or break-up is the termination of a relationship. The act is commonly termed "dumping [someone]" in slang when it is initiated by one partner. The term is less likely to be applied to a married couple, where a breakup is typically called a separation or divorce. When a couple engaged to be married breaks up, it is typically called a "broken engagement". People commonly think of breakups in a romantic aspect, however, there are also non-romantic and platonic breakups, and this type of relationship dissolution is usually caused by failure to maintain a friendship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intimate relationship</span> Physical or emotional intimacy

An intimate relationship is an interpersonal relationship that involves emotional or physical closeness between people and may include sexual intimacy and feelings of romance or love. Intimate relationships are interdependent, and the members of the relationship mutually influence each other. The quality and nature of the relationship depends on the interactions between individuals, and is derived from the unique context and history that builds between people over time. Social and legal institutions such as marriage acknowledge and uphold intimate relationships between people. However, intimate relationships are not necessarily monogamous or sexual, and there is wide social and cultural variability in the norms and practices of intimacy between people.

Casual sex is sexual activity that takes place outside a romantic relationship and implies an absence of commitment, emotional attachment, or familiarity between sexual partners. Examples are sexual activity while casually dating, one-night stands, prostitution or swinging.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sociology of the family</span> Branch of sociology

Sociology of the family is a subfield of the subject of sociology, in which researchers and academics study family structure as a social institution and unit of socialization from various sociological perspectives. It can be seen as an example of patterned social relations and group dynamics.

Relationship education and premarital counseling promote practices and principles of premarital education, relationship resources, relationship restoration, relationship maintenance, and evidence-based marriage education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT parenting</span> LGBT people raising one or more children

LGBT parenting refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people raising one or more children as parents or foster care parents. This includes: children raised by same-sex couples, children raised by single LGBT parents, and children raised by an opposite-sex couple where at least one partner is LGBT.

Divorce can affect both the people getting divorced and any children they may have in both the short and the long term. After a divorce, the couple often experiences effects including decreased levels of happiness, change in economic status, and emotional problems. The effects on children can include academic, behavioral, and psychological problems. Studies suggest that children with divorced parents are more likely to exhibit such behavioral issues than those with non-divorced parents.

Emerging adulthood, early adulthood, or post-adolescence refers to a phase of the life span between late adolescence and early adulthood, as initially proposed by Jeffrey Arnett in a 2000 article from the American Psychologist. It primarily describes people living in developed countries, but it is also experienced by young adults in wealthy urban families in the Global South. The term describes young adults who do not have children, do not live in their own homes, and/or do not have sufficient income to become fully independent. Arnett suggests emerging adulthood is the distinct period between 20 and 29 years of age where young adults become more independent and explore various life possibilities.

The marriage gap describes observed economic and political disparities in the United States between those who are married and those who are single. The marriage gap can be compared to, but should not be confused with, the gender gap. As noted by Dr. W. Bradford Wilcox, American sociologist and director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, and Wendy Wang, director of research at the Institute for Family Studies, "College-educated and more affluent Americans enjoy relatively strong and stable marriages and the economic and social benefits that flow from such marriages. By contrast, not just poor but also working-class Americans face rising rates of family instability, single parenthood, and lifelong singleness."

Remarriage is a marriage that takes place after a previous marital union has ended, as through divorce or widowhood. Some individuals are more likely to remarry than others; the likelihood can differ based on previous relationship status, level of interest in establishing a new romantic relationship, gender, culture, and age among other factors. Those who choose not to remarry may prefer alternative arrangements like cohabitation or living apart together. Remarriage also provides mental and physical health benefits. However, although remarried individuals tend to have better health than individuals who do not repartner, they still generally have worse health than individuals who have remained continuously married. Remarriage is addressed differently in various religions and denominations of those religions. Someone who repeatedly remarries is referred to as a serial wedder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Same-sex marriage and the family</span>

Concerns regarding same-sex marriage and the family are at the forefront of the controversies over legalization of same-sex marriage. In the United States, an estimated 1 million to 9 million children have at least one lesbian, gay, bi, trans, intersex, or queer parent. Concern for these children and others to come are the basis for both opposition to and support for marriage for LGBT couples.

Marriage and health are closely related. Married people experience lower morbidity and mortality across such diverse health threats as cancer, heart attacks, and surgery. There are gender differences in these effects which may be partially due to men's and women's relative status. Most research on marriage and health has focused on heterosexual couples, and more work is needed to clarify the health effects on same-sex marriage. Simply being married, as well as the quality of one's marriage, has been linked to diverse measures of health. Research has examined the social-cognitive, emotional, behavioral and biological processes involved in these links.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Relationships for incarcerated individuals</span> Familial and romantic relations of individuals in prisons or jails

Relationships of incarcerated individuals are the familial and romantic relations of individuals in prisons or jails. Although the population of incarcerated men and women is considered quite high in many countries, there is relatively little research on the effects of incarceration on the inmates' social worlds. However, it has been demonstrated that inmate relationships play a seminal role in their well-being both during and after incarceration, making such research important in improving their overall health, and lowering rates of recidivism.

Child marriage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the eighteenth highest in the world. In a child marriage, one or both parties are under the age of eighteen years old. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 37% of girls are married before they turn eighteen, and 10% of girls are married before age fifteen. Though significantly less than the rate of child marriage for girls, 6% of boys in the DRC are married before age eighteen.

References

  1. ↑ "LIFE AFTER MARRIAGE - Hope Hapiness". Archived from the original on 2019-07-24. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
  2. ↑ "APA Dictionary of Psychology". dictionary.apa.org. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
  3. ↑ Gove, Walter R.; Hughes, Michael; Style, Carolyn Briggs (1983). "Does Marriage Have Positive Effects on the Psychological Well-Being of the Individual?". Journal of Health and Social Behavior. 24 (2): 122–131. doi:10.2307/2136639. ISSN   0022-1465. JSTOR   2136639. PMID   6886367.
  4. ↑ Rook, Karen S.; Zettel, Laura A. (2005). "The Purported Benefits of Marriage Viewed through the Lens of Physical Health". Psychological Inquiry. 16 (2/3): 116–121. ISSN   1047-840X. JSTOR   20447272.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "The Effects of Marriage on Health: A Synthesis of Recent Research Evidence. Research Brief". ASPE. 2016-04-11. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
  6. 1 2 Gove, Walter R.; Hughes, Michael; Style, Carolyn Briggs (June 1983). "Does Marriage Have Positive Effects on the Psychological Well-Being of the Individual?". Journal of Health and Social Behavior. 24 (2): 122–131. doi:10.2307/2136639. ISSN   0022-1465. JSTOR   2136639. PMID   6886367.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Perelli-Harris, Brienna; Hoherz, Stefanie; Addo, Fenaba; Lappegård, Trude; Evans, Ann; Sassler, Sharon; Styrc, Marta (October 2018). "Do Marriage and Cohabitation Provide Benefits to Health in Mid-Life? The Role of Childhood Selection Mechanisms and Partnership Characteristics Across Countries". Population Research and Policy Review. 37 (5): 703–728. doi:10.1007/s11113-018-9467-3. ISSN   0167-5923. PMC   6267248 . PMID   30546176.
  8. 1 2 3 Wight, Richard G.; LeBlanc, Allen J.; Lee Badgett, M. V. (February 2013). "Same-Sex Legal Marriage and Psychological Well-Being: Findings From the California Health Interview Survey". American Journal of Public Health. 103 (2): 339–346. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2012.301113. PMC   3558785 . PMID   23237155.
  9. ↑ "Answers to Your Questions About Same-Sex Marriage". American Psychological Association. 2013.
  10. 1 2 3 "Polygamy can negatively affect women, study finds". The National. Retrieved 2018-05-08.
  11. ↑ Burton, Neel (4 January 2018). "The Pros and Cons of Polygamy". Psychology Today.
  12. ↑ Lawson, David W.; James, Susan; Ngadaya, Esther; Ngowi, Bernard; Mfinanga, Sayoki G. M.; Borgerhoff Mulder, Monique (10 November 2015). "No evidence that polygynous marriage is a harmful cultural practice in northern Tanzania". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 112 (45): 13827–13832. Bibcode:2015PNAS..11213827L. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1507151112 . PMC   4653144 . PMID   26504213.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 Aughinbaugh, Alison; Robles, Omar; Sun, Hugette (25 October 2013). "Marriage and divorce: patterns by gender, race, and educational attainment". Monthly Labor Review. doi:10.21916/mlr.2013.32. S2CID   157500067.
  14. 1 2 McDowell, Erin (July 30, 2020). "13 surprising facts about divorce in the US". www.businessinsider.nl (in Dutch).
  15. ↑ Raley, R. Kelly; Sweeney, Megan M.; Wondra, Danielle (2015). "The Growing Racial and Ethnic Divide in U.S. Marriage Patterns". The Future of Children. Center for the Future of Children, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. 25 (2): 89–109. doi:10.1353/foc.2015.0014. PMC   4850739 . PMID   27134512.
  16. ↑ "Divorce Rate by State 2022". worldpopulationreview.com.
  17. ↑ "Divorce Rates and COVID-19. (2020, October). The National Law Review". www.natlawreview.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.