Marriage as a Social Institution by Stephen L. Nock
Author’s Introduction
Stephen L. Nock, a writer, was born in the UK on March 11th, 1950, and
passed away on January 26th, 2008. He was a University of Virginia
Commonwealth Professor, author, and researcher. His publications and essays
mostly focus on the reasons for and effects of changes in American families.
The topics of privacy, single parenthood, cohabitation, divorce, and
marriage were all examined by him.
Author’s Achievements
The American Sociological Association's William J. A good Book Award
was given to his book "Marriage in Men's Lives" in 1999 for making the best
contribution to the study of families.
Essay’s Type
The essay can be categorized as both a compare and contrast and a descriptive form. It has provided a thorough explanation of marriage, its tenets, and regional customs, as well as the soft limits and guidelines that a married pair should go by to enhance their bond. Because it contrasted the bonds between married and unmarried couples and showed how differently society views and accepts married and unmarried couples, it is also a comparison and contrast essay. The relationship between marriage and other types of partnerships has also been contrasted in this essay.
Theme
Marriage, Patriarchy in marriage, Cohabitation (the state of living
together and having a sexual relationship without being married), Importance
of marriage, and Effect of cohabitation.
Assimilation
A perfect marriage consists of two flawed individuals who remain committed
to one another. Both parties share the same rights and obligations in
marriage. Therefore, each spouse should show loyalty, dedication,
responsibility, and gratitude to the other. Marriage forges a solid bond
based on accountability and trust between the couples and the larger
community. This encourages the development of a responsible and helpful
society. Marriage enhances a couple's civic virtues and aids in the
discovery of their life's purpose by providing them with each other's
physical, emotional, and spiritual support. The institution of marriage, which is powerful and deeply ingrained, is
crucial for the survival of the human species as well as for raising
responsible children. Marriage promotes responsible parenthood by
strengthening relationships and reducing wedlock births (children born to
parents who are not wed).
Summary
The essayist, Stephen L. Nock, believes that marriage and parenthood are private matters, relevant only to
individuals directly involved, and points out the programs that have
strengthened marital relationships, lowered divorce rates, decreased
out-of-wedlock births, and encouraged responsible family behavior in
"Marriage as a Social Institution," written by Stephen L. Nock. The essay
continuously discusses politics and social issues while also closely
examining marriage as a fundamental social structure that affects men.
According to the author, a man's role as a husband is particularly
important.
A man grows, upholds, and exhibits his male character in marriage; marriage
is the union of two people who are ethically, legally, and socially tied by
various personal and societal ties. As men age, the institution of
traditional marriage helps them become more manly. The characteristics of
spouses being the home's leader and parents are shared by all normal
marriages. Couples respond to one another, culture, society, and the laws
and values that define them as a unit since they are life partners. Men who
are married, in particular, typically have greater health than married
women. In terms of key accomplishments, involvement in social activities,
comfort, luxury, and swagger, marriage transforms men. It is a structure
built on other institutions like the family, the school system, and the
workplace.
Marriage, a Social Institution
´ A social institution is an interconnected set of social roles and
conventions that are organized and create behavioral patterns that help
society's basic requirements are met. Marriage is the union of two persons
who are partners in a personal relationship and is morally and legally
acknowledged.
´ Because it is observed in all human communities worldwide in all societies,
marriage is a global institution. Because the bond between the couple is
acknowledged by social and legal legislation as a way of satisfying social,
physical, and family necessities, marriage is a social institution with
moral obligations.
´ Marriage is a social institution that is patterned culturally and
interwoven into other fundamental social institutions including politics,
the economy, and education. Because it serves as the cornerstone of a family
and fosters social stability in a community, marriage can also be viewed as
a social institution.
Cohabitation and Live in Relation: CO = Together and Habitare = Dwell
Cohabitation is an arrangement in which unmarried couples live together as
married ones without being bound by any laws or societal traditions,
frequently while continuing a long-term or permanent love and sexually
intimate relationship. Although cohabitation is categorically prohibited in
most Muslim nations, as is well known, it is permitted in sophisticated
nations like Russia, the UK, and the USA. Since the time of the
pro-independence movement, it has been considered forbidden in Nepal.
Although it is still seen as unethical and anti-social behavior, it is
nevertheless practiced in contemporary cities.
Motives for the increase of cohabitation in Nepal include that
modernism was blindly copied from western culture. Being liberated from all
societal norms, moral obligations, and restrictions as well as from ethical
and legal obligations is essential when looking for a partnership. If a
couple is not compatible, it is simple to stop a relationship without having
to deal with legal wrangling. The advantages of it can lead to them
exercising mutual understanding and trust, getting to know one another well,
and reducing social ills like dowry and domestic as well as women's
violence.
The drawbacks of cohabitation include an increase in crimes committed in
the guise of romantic or sexual relationships, a rise in divorce and
separation cases, and a lack of family or friend support in times of need.
Most often, after delivering birth, a separation takes place because one
partner cannot find work to cover basic expenses
.Some major points of the essay:
● A marriage is much more than the sum of two spouses. It is also a
relationship defined by legal, moral, and traditional beliefs.
● Married couples have something in common that other lacks. They inherit a
vast system of understood principles that help them to organize and maintain
their lives.
● Married couple vs. Cohabiting couple.
● Married couples have a pattern to follow.
● For most matters of domestic life, marriage provides a blueprint that
cohabiting couple lacks. Marriage is a form of social capital in which there is an extensive network
of individuals who are linked by bonds of credibility and trust. Married
couples are joined by new relatives ( and trends of new relatives). Such
relationships are largely woven with threads of obligation. In a time of
need, one can call relatives and expect assistance.
Six Dimensions that define normative marriage in America:
A marriage that is founded on accepted norms and values, abides by laws,
rules, and restrictions on desire, and puts into practice the sense of duty
as set out by society.
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Marriage is a freely made, love-based decision.
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It is assumed that marriage requires maturity. (Maturity is a key factor
in a relationship's success or failure.)
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A heterosexual relationship is marriage.
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The main and primary earner is the husband.
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Monogamy and sexual fidelity are prerequisites for marriage.
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Children are often a part of marriage.
Questions to be discussed
´ Given your current level of maturity, are you comfortable getting married?
´ Are you at ease marrying your partner at his or her current level of maturity?
´ Should a couple that lives together be treated as married? To whom do you think marriage is more important, men, women, or both?
´ What is your view on the point “Life is happy with marriage or without marriage?"
´ How do you think marriage is a “social capital”?