Exam 4 Material Flashcards
(156 cards)
Single Adults-Advantages
-time to make life decisions and develop resources
-autonomy-pursue own schedule and interests
-opportunities and privacy
Single Adults-Challenges
-forming intimate relationships with other adults
-confronting loneliness
-finding a niche-marriage oriented society
Generational Shift
-more men interested in marriage and family
-more women interested in independence
Many single adults are looking for love, not marriage. (T/F)
true
Cohabitation
living together in a sexual relationship without being married
-some see it as a precursor for marriage, others as an ongoing lifestyle
-males concerned with loss of freedom; women concerned about delays in getting married
Why would older adults cohabitate?
for companionship and/or to keep assets separate
-more positive/stable relationships than younger adults who cohabitate
-less likely to receive partner care than married older adults
Reasons for Cohabitation
-spend time together
-share expenses
-evaluate compatibility
Difficulties in Cohabitation
-disapproval
-difficulty purchasing property jointly
-difficulty during dissolution-legal rights?
Transition from Dating to Cohabitation
-more commitment
-less satisfaction
-more negative communication
-more physical aggression
What has made relationships more fragile and intense?
changing norm of male-female equality in marriage and high expectations for marriages have produced relationships that are more fragile and intense
In seeking a spouse, never-married Americans look for:
-similar ideas about having and raising children
-steady job
-at least as much education
-same racial or ethnic background
The Good Marriage
-individuals who are happily married live longer, healthier lives
-unhappy marriage can shorten a person’s life by an average of 4 years
-married individuals have the best cardiovascular profile; single men have the worst
-married men consistently report being “happier” than married women
Predictors of Success in Marriage
-establishing love maps
-nurturing fondness and admiration
-turning toward each other instead of away
-letting your partner influence you
-overcoming gridlock
-creating shared meaning
Marriages that work depend on developing a ________, ___________, and ____________
deep friendship, showing respect for each other, and embracing commitment
Premarital Education
linked to marital satisfaction and commitment, lower conflict, and lower likelihood of divorce
Social Context
contexts w/in a culture and across cultures are powerful influences on marriage
-age of marriage and whether marriages are arranged
-whether domesticity or chastity in valued
-whether religion plays a role in marital preferences
Marriage through the Lifespan-Middle Adulthood
some that were difficult during early adulthood improved in middle adulthood
-partners develop solid foundations
-fewer financial worries
-less housework and chores-children self-sufficient
-more time to spend w/ each other
-mutual activities-positive
In ______, most married individuals report being _______ w/ being married.
midlife; satisfied
Marriage through the Lifespan-Late Adulthood
-in late adulthood, married individuals are happier, less distressed, and live longer
-older adults are more satisfied w/ their marriages than young or middle-aged adults
-in late adulthood, married individuals are more likely to have to care for a sick partner w/ a limiting health condition
*stress of caring for a spouse can place demands in intimacy
Factors that Contribute to Divorce
-youthful marriages, low education levels, low income, no religious affiliation, parents who are divorced, and having a baby before marriage
-alcoholism, psychological problems, domestic violence, infidelity, and inadequate divisions of household labor
-low levels of agreeableness and conscientiousness
-high levels of neuroticism and openness to experience`
Adjustment Problems from Divorce
loneliness, diminished self-esteem, anxiety about the unknown, and difficulty forming new intimate relationships
-risk for psychological and physical difficulties
-one of more common characteristics of divorced adults is difficulty trusting someone else in a romantic relationship
________ are more likely to seek a divorce.
Women
-sense something is wrong w/ marriage
-show better emotional adjustment than men
-divorce is seen as offering a “second chance”
-typically experience more negative economic impact from divorce than men
_________, ___________, ____________ have led to an increase in remarriage among older adults.
rising divorce rates, increased longevity, and better health
Main Reasons Women Give for Divorce
-verbal, physical, or emotional abuse
-alcohol or drug abuse
-cheating