Part One. The Forces Behind the
Decline of Marriage
- Unmarried cohabitation replacing marriage or used as a “trying out” period. There is greater acceptance of this “trial” period. Different studies show different results with the “trying out” period on marriage. Studies show that this “trial” period doesn’t result in a more successful marriage. See page 152. Some damning facts about premarital cohabitation: Only 26% women and 19% men actually marry. Greater divorce rate than couples who didn't cohabitate. Unhappier marriages than those who did not cohabitate. Women who cohabitate are victims of violent crimes.
- Divorced people more skeptical about remarrying. This
is a function of a higher divorce rate which is double that of 1960.
- People waiting longer to get married as the single
life is considered a good thing for several reasons.
- Many ugly divorces are well publicized, which scares
a lot of people away from marriage.
- Marriage is perceived by many as a threat to one’s
solvency or finances.
- Cynicism
- Me Mentality not conducive to marriage.
- Stereotype of the unhappy married couple in the media
such as the TV program Married with Children.
- Marriage has lost much of its legal, social, economic
motivations. Nor does it have the same religious or moral authority. See
page 153.
Part Two. Writing a Thesis for
Today’s Topic (Research Links)
Premarital cohabitation (couples
living together) seems appealing to many as a “testing period,” but the
research shows that this trial is both inimical to marriage and especially
exploitative for women. A close look at the psychological dynamics between
premarital cohabitation reveal several unsavory factors, including
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Part Three. How I Grade Your Paper
Part Four. Introducing Your Essays
Part Five. Using Analogy for Your Introduction
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