How Sociologists Define Marriage

Sociologists define marriage as a socially supported union involving two or more individuals in what is regarded as a stable, enduring arrangement typically based at least in part on a sexual bond of some kind. Key Takeaways: Marriage Marriage is considered by sociologists to be a cultural universal; that is, it exists in some form in all societies.Marriage serves important social functions, and social norms often determine the role each spouse takes in a marriage.Because marriage is a social construct, cultural norms and expectations determine what a marriage is and who can marry. Overview Depending on the society, marriage may require religious and/or civil sanction, although some couples may come to be considered married simply by living together for a period of time (common law marriage). Though marriage ceremonies, rules, and roles may differ from one society to another, marriage is considered a cultural universal, which means that it is present as a social institution in all cultures. Marriage serves several functions. In most societies, it serves to socially identify children by defining kinship ties to a mother, father, and extended relatives. It also serves to regulate sexual behavior, to transfer, preserve, or consolidate property, prestige, and power, and most importantly, it is the basis for the institution of the family. Social Characteristics of Marriage In most societies, a marriage is considered a permanent social and legal contract and relationship between two people that is based on mutual rights and obligations among the spouses. A marriage is often based on a romantic relationship, though this is not always the case. But regardless, it typically signals a sexual relationship between two people. A marriage, however, does not simply exist between the married partners, but rather, is codified as a social institution in legal, economic, social, and spiritual/religious ways. Because a marriage is recognized by law and by religious institutions, and involves economic ties between the spouses,  a dissolution of marriage (annulment or divorce) must, in turn, involve a dissolution of the marriage relationship in all of these realms. Typically, the institution of marriage begins with a period of courtship that culminates in an invitation to marry. This is followed by the marriage ceremony, during which mutual rights and responsibilities may be specifically stated and agreed to. In many places, the state or a religious authority must sanction a marriage in order for it to be considered valid and legal. In many societies, including the Western world and the United States, marriage is widely considered the basis of and foundation for family. This is why a marriage is often greeted socially with immediate expectations that the couple will produce children, and why children that are born outside of marriage are sometimes branded with the stigma of illegitimacy. The Social Functions of Marriage Marriage has several social functions that are important within the societies and cultures where the marriage takes place. Most commonly, marriage dictates the roles that spouses play in each others lives, in the family, and in society at large. Typically these roles involve a division of labor between the spouses, such that each is responsible for different tasks that are necessary within the family. American sociologist Talcott Parsons wrote on this topic and outlined a theory of roles within a marriage and household, wherein wives/mothers play the expressive role of a caregiver who takes care of socialization and emotional needs of others in the family, while the husband/father is responsible for the task role of earning money to support the family. In keeping with this thinking, a marriage often serves the function of dictating the social status of the spouses and the couple, and of creating a hierarchy of power between the couple. Societies in which the husband/father holds the most power in the marriage are known as patriarchies. Conversely, matriarchal societies are those in which wives/mothers hold the most power. Marriage also serves the social function of determining family names and lines of familial descent. In the U.S. and much of the Western world, a common practice is patrilineal descent, meaning the family name follows that of the husband/father. However, many cultures, including some within Europe and many in Central and Latin America, follow matrilineal descent. Today, it is common for newly married couples to create a hyphenated family name that preserves the named lineage of both sides, and for children to bear the surnames of both parents. Different Types of Marriages In the Western world, monogamous marriage between two spouses is the most common form of marriage. Other forms of marriage that occur around the world include polygamy (a marriage of more than two spouses), polyandry (a marriage of a wife with more than one husband), and polygyny (the marriage of a husband with more than one wife). (In common usage, polygamy is often misused to refer to polygyny.) As such, the rules of marriage, the division of labor within a marriage, and what constitutes the roles of husbands, wives, and spouses generally are subject to change and are most often negotiated by the partners within the marriage, rather than firmly dictated by tradition. Expanding the Right to Marry Over time, the institution of marriage has expanded, and more individuals have won the right to marry. Same-sex marriage is increasingly common and in many places, including the United States, has been sanctioned by law and by many religious groups. In the U.S., the 2015 Supreme Court decision Obergefell v. Hodges struck down laws banning same-sex marriage. This change in practice, law, and cultural norms and expectations for what a marriage is and who can participate in it reflects the fact that marriage itself is a social construct. Updated by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.

Ideal Victim Essay - 2185 Words

For the purpose of this essay I will be considering Nils Christie’s (1986) concept of the ‘ideal victim’. In considering this concept, I will discuss what is meant by an ‘ideal victim’ and will also be focusing on the high profile Australian criminal case of Anita Cobby in Blacktown on 2nd of February 1986. Anita Cobby was only 26 years old when she was abducted, brutally raped and murdered by four ‘ideal offenders’. This essay will also consider, the ways in which the media and criminal justice system have constructed Anita Cobby as an ‘ideal victim’. Nils Christie explains that there are certain characteristics that make a victim an ‘ideal victim’. These characteristics are, young, old, weak, doing something respectable and legal,†¦show more content†¦This can help the wider community understand their own moral obligations and behaviour within society. As noted by ‘†¦.Smolej (2010), portrayals of crime and deviance in the media are often seen as essential parts of social control since the media has a central role in defining what is deviant and condemnable.’ Like the media, the criminal justice system and organisations in and around the criminal justice system play a major contribution in the construction of an ‘ideal victim’. As stated by ‘†¦.Rock (2006), Institutional practices shape the public representations and private understandings of victims of crime’. For instance, in Australia there are many organisations that help victims and their families of serious crimes. Although on the other hand, there are limited or no services available to victims of minor crimes. This was further explained to Rock (2006) by a member of the New South Wales Witness Assistance Service (WAS), ‘†¦due to resource reasons WAS has to prioritise the services it provides. Priorities are determined on the basis of type of crime and on the basis of victims and witnesses with particular needs such asShow MoreRelatedEssay on Ideal Victim1711 Words   |  7 PagesAn ‘ideal victim’ is someone who has played no part in their victimisation by an offender who was wholly responsible for the incident. The public can relate to the ‘ideal victims’ ordeal and although they have been through an awful sometimes incomprehensible experience society views the ‘ideal victim’ â€Å"as pure, blameless (hence passive) people against whom an evil act was omitted by a depraved individual† (Spalek, B. 2006 p25). Although most people can relate to an ‘ideal victim’ there is a ‘positivistRead MoreEssay about How the Me dia Uses an Ideal Victim in Portrayals of Crime1987 Words   |  8 Pagesof political, academic, and public debate. In particular, the media today is more focused on victims than it has ever been before. 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Depreciation Method Recommendations free essay sample

The calculation of the straight line method of depreciation is by taking the cost of the item minus its salvage value then dividing that figure by the expected year’s life cycle of the item. This is a non complex calculation and it reduces net income and the equal amounts of depreciation are deducted from every life cycle year of the item. The double declining balance method of depreciation is calculated at double or 200% for the straight line rate. Let’s say the straight line rate is 20%, then using the double declining balance method then the rate is 40%. The amount is multiplied by the book value of the item at the start if each period and also this method deduct higher costs in the product’s early life that decreases net income in the beginning. The units-of -output method of depreciation is calculated on the item production rather than time. The item cost minus the salvage value then is multiplied by total hour’s usage during the period and then you will take figure divide it by the total life cycle expectancy hours. We will write a custom essay sample on Depreciation Method Recommendations or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Utilization of this method is more beneficial to organizations that costs are the results of production. One fact you must keep in mind is when there low production output then net income reduction is low and vice versa when there is high production outputs. The sum-of-the-year’s-digits method of depreciation calculation is configured by using the fraction formula. The fraction formula is computed by using the number of years of the item life cycle use as the numerator and the total years as the denominator. If the item life cycle is 5 years then the numerator in year one of depreciation will be 5 and 15(5+4+3+2+1) as the denominator the fraction would be 5/15. Which this is fraction is multiplied by the depreciable base of the item to conclude the year one depreciation figure. All the proceeding years will follow the same process from year two to five and until the item total life cycle is complete. This similar to the double declining method in the aspect that net income is reduced in the years of the life cycle instead of the latter. I recommend that the most beneficial depreciation method for Fan Company A’s equipment is the double declining balance method. This method gives produces a higher percentage of return of costs in the early years of the item and it still lowers net income but also in the later year help offset repair costs for the item. .