Class 12 English Lesson 14 Essay: Marriage as a Social Institution by Stephen L. Nock Literature Section

 

Lesson 2 Essay: Marriage as a Social Institution by Stephen L. Nock

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About the Essayist

 

Steven L. Nock (March 11, 1950 – January 26, 2008) was a researcher, author, and the Commonwealth Professor of Sociology at the University of Virginia. He wrote extensively on the role of marriage in society and worked in the Federal Department of Health and Human Services as a consultant on American family policy. He investigated issues of privacy, unmarried fatherhood, cohabitation, commitment, divorce, and marriage. His book, Marriage in Men's Lives won the William J. Good Book Award from the American Sociological Association for the most outstanding contribution to family scholarship in 1999.

Gist of the Essay

In this essay, the author examines the national marriage debate by reviewing the social and demographic trends that have changed the role of marriage and the family. He views that marriage and parenthood are private matters, relevant only to the individuals directly involved. He points out the programs that have strengthened marital relationships, lowered divorce rates, reduced out-of-wedlock births, and encouraged responsible fatherhood.

Summary of the Essay

In this essay, the author examines the national marriage debate by reviewing the social and demographic trends that have changed the role of marriage and the family. He views that marriage and parenthood are private matters, relevant only to the individuals directly involved. He points out the programs that have strengthened marital relationships, lowered divorce rates, reduced out-of-wedlock births, and encouraged responsible fatherhood.

A marriage is much more than the sum of two spouses. It is also a relationship defined by legal, moral, and conventional assumptions and has a variety of close personal relationships and associations. The spouses are united are legally, morally, and socially by various personal and societal connections. Marriage as a social institution is examined carefully as a major social structure that impacts males. In this essay, the writer asserts that the position of a spouse has a special significance in men's life. The institution of traditional marriage helps men develop their manhood as they get older. In a marriage, a gay grows, maintains, and shows his masculine identity. After marriage, the husbands are turned into the household's leaders. Fidelity and parenting are the characteristics of a normal marriage. Couples react to each other, culture society, and the rules and values that define them as a unit since they are life partners. Married males, in particular, had greater physical and mental health than married women.

The essayist cites French sociologist Emile Durkheim to support his view. Emile believes that marriage benefits men because it is an organ of society. Two people get the chance to enjoy a harmonious and happy life. Marriage improves men's civic virtues and helps them discover their life's purpose. People who are married are less likely to commit suicide than those who are single. Marriage is an effective way to rein in one's irrational longings (desires) and wants. Marriage binds a man to the same woman for the rest of his life to satisfy his desire for love, which provides moral balance to his life. Males must get married because it gives them direction in life and helps them achieve their goals.

Nowadays unmarried cohabitation (living together) is in a fashion that is not generally and legally recognized since they do not follow normal beliefs, have limitations in conduct, have no responsibility to each other, and have no identity and no institutional relationship. Cohabitation without marriage is living together without marriage. They don't boldly identify themselves as husband and wife. A married pair conforms to patterns, conventions, and rules as husband and wife and receives acceptance from everyone. There are laws, religions, and customs protecting their relationship.

Americans generally agree about the six dimensions of marriage. Together, these constitute a normative definition of marriage. They are:

a.      Marriage is a free personal choice, based on love.

b.     Maturity is a presumed requirement for marriage.

c.      Marriage is a heterosexual relationship.

d.     The husband is the head, and principal earner, in a marriage.

e.      Sexual fidelity (faithfulness) and monogamy are expectations for marriage

f.       Marriage typically involves children.

Marriage establishes a connection based on reliability and trust. The couple meets new blood relatives. The institution of a mage is a personal asset but it is more difficult to maintain since it only exists through relationships with others. There is an obligation to assist and support one other when we are in the new foundation of the new partnership is built on mutual trust and belief.

Understanding the text: Answer the following questions.

a.      According to the author, what is marriage?

According to the author, marriage is much more than the sum of spouses which is defined by loyal, moral, and conventional assumptions and has a variety of close personal relationships and associations.

b.     How is marriage an institution?

Marriage is an institution in the sense that it is a means of meeting social, economic, physical, and family requirements by two individuals, and it is linked to other institutions such as education, the economy, and politics.

c.      What are the rules that marriage has?

Marriage has a complex set of rules that help in the planning and maintenance of the rights of the spouses to each other within society.

d.     Why does marriage matter to men?

Marriage matters to men because it provides structure to their lives and organizes their goals and ambitions.

e.      What is one of the central problems in modern society?

One of the central problems in modern society is putting various legitimate boundaries around modern individuals seemingly limiting the desires for well-being, comfort, luxury, and prestige.

f.       What does social capital consist of?

Social capital consists of a vast network of people who are all connected by a bond of trustworthiness and reliability.

g.     What is normative marriage? Explain.

Normative marriage is a form of social control, a way by which behaviors and aspirations are channeled appropriately. It is a force greater than the individuals involved because it represents the collective sentiments of others. Marriage in this view is qualitatively different from other intimate relationships.

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