‘Marriage has become less important in society’. Using sociological material, give one argument against this view.
CAMBRIDGE
A level and AS level
2021
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Introduction
State the essay's main argument: While some argue that marriage is declining in importance, this essay will argue that it remains a significant social institution, albeit one undergoing evolution.
Heightened Expectations and Re-marriage
Discuss Fletcher's view: Modern couples have higher expectations of marriage (fulfillment, companionship), indicating its continued importance.
Highlight re-marriage rates: The prevalence of re-marriage demonstrates the enduring appeal and significance of marriage, even after relationship breakdowns.
Cultural Significance and Cross-Cultural Variations
Acknowledge Somerville's point: While some may choose not to marry, marriage retains strong religious and cultural importance in many societies.
Consider cross-cultural evidence: The importance of marriage varies across cultures, challenging the notion of a universal decline.
Functionalist and New Right Perspectives
Discuss Functionalist and New Right views: These perspectives emphasize marriage as the ideal environment for raising children, highlighting its societal value.
Cohabitation and Evolving Forms of Marriage
Address cohabitation: The prevalence of cohabitation, often as a precursor to marriage, suggests a continued commitment to formalizing relationships.
Mention Civil and same-sex marriage: The introduction of these forms of marriage demonstrates the evolution and adaptation of marriage to contemporary societal values.
Conclusion
Restate the main argument: Marriage remains a significant social institution, evolving to meet changing societal needs and expectations.
Offer a final thought: The future of marriage will likely involve further adaptations, but its core values of commitment, partnership, and family formation suggest its enduring importance.
Has Marriage Become Less Important in Society?
The assertion that marriage has diminished in importance within society is a complex issue with arguments to be made on both sides. While societal shifts, such as increasing cohabitation rates and a rise in alternative family structures, might appear to suggest a decline in marriage's relevance, a closer examination reveals a more nuanced reality. This essay argues that marriage continues to hold significant importance in society, albeit with evolving forms and expectations.
Higher Expectations and the Significance of Marriage
One argument against the declining importance of marriage is the increasing expectation placed upon the institution itself, as articulated by Fletcher. Unlike in the past, where marriage was often viewed as a pragmatic arrangement for economic security and social standing, modern individuals often approach marriage with heightened expectations of romantic love, personal fulfillment, companionship, and emotional support. This shift towards seeking profound emotional connection within marriage suggests that it remains a crucial aspect of many people’s lives, far from irrelevant.
Re-marriage and the Enduring Relevance of Marriage
The prevalence of remarriage further challenges the notion of marriage's declining importance. Despite experiencing divorce or the end of a previous marriage, many individuals actively choose to remarry. This phenomenon underscores the enduring belief in the potential of marriage to provide companionship, love, and stability. The willingness to enter into marriage again, even after experiencing its potential challenges, suggests that it remains a significant and valued institution.
Cultural and Religious Significance of Marriage
While it is true that a small percentage of individuals may choose to remain unmarried throughout their lives, as noted by Somerville, it is essential to acknowledge the persistent cultural and religious significance of marriage across many societies. In numerous cultures, marriage ceremonies and traditions are deeply ingrained, representing a vital passage into adulthood and a cornerstone of community life. These traditions often carry immense symbolic weight, signifying the enduring importance of marriage within these specific cultural and religious contexts.
Cross-Cultural Variations and the Importance of Context
Additionally, a cross-cultural perspective reveals that the perceived decline in marriage is not a universal phenomenon. While marriage rates might be declining in some Western societies, other cultures continue to exhibit stable or even increasing marriage rates. This variation suggests that the importance of marriage is not static but rather shaped by specific cultural norms, socioeconomic factors, and historical contexts. Consequently, claiming a universal decline in marriage's importance lacks nuance and neglects the diverse realities of marriage across the globe.
Functionalist and New Right Perspectives on Marriage
The perspectives of Functionalism and the New Right further contribute to the argument for marriage's continued importance. Both perspectives view marriage as the optimal environment for raising children, emphasizing its role in providing a stable and supportive family structure. From these viewpoints, marriage is not simply a personal choice but a societal good that contributes to social order and stability. This perspective highlights the enduring value placed on marriage as a foundational institution for child-rearing and family life.
Evolution of Marriage: Cohabitation, Civil Partnerships, and Same-Sex Marriage
Finally, the evolution of marriage itself, with the increasing prevalence of cohabitation as a precursor to marriage and the introduction of civil partnerships and same-sex marriage in some societies, points to its continued relevance. Rather than signifying a decline, these developments highlight the adaptation of marriage to changing societal norms and values. The inclusion of same-sex couples in the institution of marriage, in particular, demonstrates a broadening understanding of marriage and its significance within contemporary society.
Conclusion
In conclusion, declaring marriage as an institution in decline is an oversimplification of a multifaceted issue. While societal shifts and evolving attitudes towards relationships have undeniably impacted the institution of marriage, it continues to hold profound importance for a significant portion of the population. The high expectations placed on marriage, the prevalence of remarriage, its enduring cultural and religious relevance, and its adaptability to modern social contexts all point towards its continued significance. Marriage may be evolving, but its importance within society remains undeniable.
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Marriage has become less important in society
One argument against this view can be presented by considering the higher expectations of marriage, as expressed by Fletcher. In modern society, individuals often have greater expectations regarding romantic relationships and marriage, seeking fulfillment, companionship, and emotional support from their partners. These heightened expectations suggest that marriage continues to hold significance as a social institution, as it remains a crucial aspect of many individuals' lives.
Moreover, the increased rates of re-marriage further challenge the idea that marriage is becoming less important. Many individuals who have experienced divorce or the end of a previous marriage are choosing to remarry, emphasizing the continued relevance and significance of marriage as a social institution.
Additionally, while it is true that a small percentage of people may choose not to marry in their lives, as noted by Somerville, the religious and cultural importance of marriage remains strong in many societies. Marriage ceremonies and traditions are deeply ingrained in various cultures and religions, highlighting the enduring significance of marriage in these contexts.
Furthermore, cross-cultural evidence suggests that marriage is not in decline in all societies, indicating that the importance of marriage varies across different cultural and social contexts.
It is also important to consider the perspective of the New Right and Functionalism, which view marriage as the best environment to raise children. This belief underscores the enduring value and importance of marriage as a social institution that provides stability and support for families.
Additionally, the prevalence of cohabitation as a pre-cursor to marriage and the introduction of Civil marriage and same-sex marriage in some societies further emphasize the continued relevance and evolution of marriage as a societal institution, challenging the notion that marriage is becoming less important.