Sociological Perspective On Marriage

From a sociological perspective, marriage and family are both seen as institutions. Marriage is the institution of commitment and obligations between two people who benefit sexually and economically. Family is the institution where a parent commits to physically, mentally and emotionally for their child/children.
People decide to get married for several different reasons. One reason is for the availability of sex. It is thought that married people will have sex more often than single people but studies prove that married people have sex less often. Another reason why people decide to get married for sex is because of their religion. Certain religions preach abstinence before marriage. Instead of a couple “living in sin,” they’ll get married just to have a clear conscious about having sex with their partner.
A second reason why a couple may decide to get married is because it is the next step. The couple can be feeling pressure from friends and family to get married and start their own families. This occurs when a couple
Society dictates that the man should go out into the work force and bring home the paychecks, while the woman stays at home and cares for the children. This idea of gender roles supports the belief that marriage and family is a patriarchal intuition. The idea behind cooking and cleaning being a women’s job oppresses women even to this day. Gender roles are instilled to people at a young age. Growing up, little girls are given dolls to nurture, easy bake ovens, and play kitchen sets. Young boys are given play tools, trucks and sports equipment. Girls are taught to be delicate and feminine. They are dressed in pink, frilly dresses and clothes even at birth, whereas boys are dressed in darker colors. When young girls misbehave or act rowdy, they are told to “act like a lady,” boys on the other hand can act rowdy and their behavior is excused away as “boys will be