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Reading Guide for Marriage: The Good, the Bad, and the Greedy. City College: Work and Family. Marriage: The Good and the Bad. The authors begin by mentioning the good things we already know about marriage: Way out of poverty Greater wealth accumulation Increased mental and physical health
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Reading Guide for Marriage: The Good, the Bad, and the Greedy City College: Work and Family
Marriage: The Good and the Bad • The authors begin by mentioning the good things we already know about marriage: • Way out of poverty • Greater wealth accumulation • Increased mental and physical health • But they note that there are some negatives to marriage as well… • Domestic violence • Increase in work for women • Bad marriages can be hazardous to mental and physical health • Marriages can also weaken ties with the wider community
Is Marriage Greedy?Involvement with Parents and Siblings • The differences between married, never married, and previously married are not based on race, class (income, education, employment), or age • These differences exist between both men and women • In some cases, the effects of marriage are stronger for men than women
Is Marriage Greedy?Involvement with Neighbors and Friends • These differences are not due to class • There are racial/ethnic differences however…the effect of marriage is weaker for African-Americans and Hispanics • Children can help decrease the effect of marriage, as married people with children involve themselves with others…why?
Why is marriage greedy? • Material reasons • Married people tend to have more money than singles…and need the help of family and friends less • Emotional reasons • Marriage demands intense emotional involvement • Cultural reasons • Cultural expectations of self-sufficiency • Remember from past readings…people marry now once they have achieved success…not in order to get it • The honeymoon is symbolic of the belief in the married couple as an autonomous unit
Marriage Promotion in the US • Politicians and social commentators talk about the value of family • But their view of family is very narrow • Marriage is not always good • They blame the decline in families for the decline in community in society • This is false. Marriage takes away from community and social ties