Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: In the past eight years, significant state and federal family policies have attempted to promote marriage and marital stability among straight couples, while explicitly denying the possibility of same-sex marriage. The contentious issues of promoting marriage, and prohibiting same-sex marriage are likely to be prominent topics in the upcoming Presidential election. We explore the possibility that this debate may actually foster greater acceptance of diverse family forms. The paper examines one specific family law intended to strengthen traditional heterosexual marriage – covenant marriage. We use multiple forms of data from a 7 year longitudinal project to examine the effects of covenant marriage compared to standard marriage on the marital stability of couples and the promotion of traditional marital norms in the general population of marrying couples. We augment our empirical evidence with a review of family law journal articles about the legal relationship between same-sex unions and covenant marriage. We suggest that current efforts to expand the role of the state in matters of domestic life, including the marriage movement, may actually lead to the legal recognition of more diverse forms of intimate relationships, including same-sex marriage.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Using IPUMS data for 1940 through 2000, this paper examines three economic-characteristics explanations for the declines in marriage rates over time: 1) Becker’s (1981) independence hypothesis; 2) Bernard’s (1982) marriage gradient hypothesis; and 3) Oppenheimer’s (1988) male economic status hypothesis. In addition, this paper considers a different approach which combines the notion of the gender revolution (Hochschild 1989; McDonald 2000) with bargaining theory and theories of marriage that stress noneconomic resources (e.g., Cherlin 2000). This paper also explores differences in marriage patterns by race/ethnicity over the period.

If the independence/marriage gradient/male economic status hypotheses are correct then we would expect the most educated women (or the highest earning women) and least educated men (or lowest earning men) to be the least likely to marry in all years. The growing number of women with greater education and income, and the growing number of men of lower socioeconomic status, should dramatically lower marriage rates overall. As such controlling for income and education should explain away changes in marriage rates over time, and any race/ethnic differences in marriage rates. If the gender revolution hypothesis is correct then controlling for education/income in a statistical model will not explain away the effect of time on marital status. Furthermore, it allows for an explanation which incorporates greater race/ethnic differences in marriage patterns because the separate spheres ideology was more prevalent for some groups than others and the move away from it occurred at different times and for different reasons. The role of cohabitation is also considered.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Why is non-marriage increasing among highly educated women in Japan, one of the least gender-equal industrialized countries? According to the economic independence theorists improving economic standing among women leads to the decline of marriage primarily due to women’s avoidance of unequal gender burdens in household. However, scholars have pointed out this theory’s contradiction in its exclusive emphasis on women’s economic independence in such highly gendered traditional society as Japan. Corresponding to the limited applicability of economic independence theory to Japan, a country with distinct gender inequality, this paper examines how gender barriers in the labor and marriage markets shape employed women’s views of marriage in Japan.
Based on in-depth interviews with 26 never-married Japanese women, the paper addresses how employed women’s views of marriage are shaped by gender inequality in employment structure and the marriage market in Japan. Employing the notion of gender strategies, I analyze four strategies (deflection, repudiation, ambivalence, and compliance) through which employed women negotiate their positions within the discourses of marriage and rationalize their non-married status. I also discuss these women’s non-married status as resistance to the gender inequalities in the current employment structure and marital relationships, which, I argue, possibly translate into the patterns of rising non-marriage in Japan.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Malgorzata Malinska
Institute of Applied Social Studies
University of Warsaw, Poland

Chair of Sociology of Custom & Law Professor Jacek Kurczewski


Abstract

Marriage contract as an essence of marriage of Nubian women.
Law and practice in Ballana village.


Key words: Muslim society, family, gender, marriage, women's rights.

Marriage in the Nubian society of Ballana is always arranged. According to the classical juristic definition marriage is a kind of contract; it is an essential condition for the validity of marriage. There is a tradition among the Nubian people that marriage contract is negotiated by the heads of the families. The negotiations of contract are considered as the most important elements of setting up the marriage.
Egyptian law gives to women very important marriage’s rights, which can be included to the marriage agreement. For example, the future bride can enclose to the contract - right to be the only wife of her husband. According to the Qur’an and Egyptian legislation polygyny is the right of men. If a man can provide each of his wives equitably, then he can marry up to four wives. Marriage contract is a final agreement and here is decided on individual freedom and family obligations both sides. It may be the way to limit unequality between men and women.
There is a common practice in Ballana that women do not conduct their own marriage contracts if they are virgins or were previously married. They do not take advantage of women’s rights. This case shows extremely strongly that men are treated preferentially there. Why? Do the women don’t know their rights? I would like to give the answers in my article. I am going to concentrate on the question of women’s rights regarding marriage law, in aspects of marriage contract.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Drawing from critical-cultural scholarship, this quantitative content analysis systematically interrogates national network television news coverage of the same-sex marriage debate in 2003 and 2004. Analysis of sourcing patterns and sound bite length indicate the debate was dominated by conventionally “straight” perspectives. While gay and lesbian couples were visually prevalent in news stories, they were largely seen and not heard. Scrutinizing the visual narratives about gay and lesbian life in television news reports, this study found gay and lesbian representation was largely normalized and mainstreamed in typically heteronormative ways.