Primary Relationships
Dying
Traditional
Americans like to marry
50% get divorced
50% of those get remarried
People who can support families and more educated continue to get married
Changing
Contemporary or post-modern
Creating structures that fit the needs of the people involved
Marriage is evolving to fit new stresses and life styles
People living in a married
or married like state
Married recognized by
state and or church
Married like, not
recognized by the state or
church but maintaining a
“marriage” in the
relationship sense
No, California does not have common law marriage
Primary relationship
children
in-laws
grandparents
siblings
Primary relationship
Family constellation of people surrounding the primary relationship
1.People
2. Related
3. Blood
4. Law
5. Choice
Families Relations are Complex
Relationship: pattern of interaction
Legal: paperwork, documents
Where does that put domestic partnerships?
Not privy to same health insurance process, pay
more for partnership license than heterosexuals
Cannot file joint taxes
Love?
Companionship?
Sex?
Friendship?
Support?
Security?
Self-worth?
None of the Above!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Described by gender, number, sexual fidelity
Monogamous
Non- monogamous
Monogamous
Non Monogamous
Polygamous
• Polyandry
• Polyamory: new movement
• Swingers
Earliest Recorded?
Several people with various sexual practices
Sharing various resources: When was highest number in the US?
Parents previously
married to others
Bringing two
families together
Blended
Legitimate Style
Single Parent Family
Marriage across any cultural, religious, racial boundaries
Racial
Ethnic
Religion
Transgender
National
Every Style You Can Imagine. Family structure based on social norms and indigenous needs.