Families are the purpose of why we have a society. The family system exists because it helps us care for our young. Thus, keeping our species alive. However, for several years old myths and new trends have put the very meaning of family and marriage on the line.
To begin, we should tackle the many common myths about marriage and family that have been floating around.
It is commonly believed that the extended family (a group of more than one generation) was once much more important in the olden days than they are now. This is False. In fact, historians have found evidence that families as far back as the sixteenth century was actually a lot more like today's family. That is to say that they had nuclear families (husband, wife, and children) just as we do. Opposites Attract This is a widely believed myth. We even use it to explain odd (?) relationships. “The more alike you are with someone in terms of your social background, lifestyle, values, etc., the more likely you are to be attracted to that person. More importantly, the more alike you are, the better your chances of having a lasting and satisfying relationship” (p. 7, Marriage and Family: The Quest for Intimacy by Robert H. and Jeanette C. Lauer (8th ed.)). People Only Marry For Love Love is a highly complicated emotion. It is an emotion that is a mess of multiple emotions such as fear, strong sex drive, or need for approval. It is also fleeting. Once married, or after an extended relationship, the feeling of being "madly in love" will leave after about 2 to 4 years. But do not fret!! If properly cared for, it will transform into something MUCH more substantial and much more worth while. People also marry for status, expectations, arranged, etc. Children = Increased Marital Satisfaction Children are little bundles of joy. They are also exhausting on all levels: physical, mentally, emotionally, and even financially. Because of this, and possible careers, the parents/spouses will be unable to focus on one another. For this reason, when the children grow up and leave the nest, the parents go through what is known as the "second honeymoon" where marital satisfaction goes up. This does not mean that children are bad for a marriage. “[K]eep in mind that a decreased satisfaction is not the same as dissatisfaction” (p. 8 Lauer). In fact, having children can cause a rise in marital satisfaction. It depends on the type of marriage and relationship a couple has. Happily Married People Don’t Have Conflict Conflict, when handled in the proper way, can help the couple grow together cause their marriage to be strengthened instead of threatening it. Half of All Marriages End in Divorce False. A Good Sex Life Means Marital Satisfaction For this myth, I will let the book explain it.
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AuthorI am a student in a Family Relations class. Here is what I'm learning, ArchivesCategories |