Grade 12: Marriage as a Social Institution

 Summary and Analysis of “Marriage as a Social Institution”

Stephen L. Nock claims that a marriage is not only the union of two spouses but it is a relationship that has legal, moral, and conventional assumptions.

It is a social institution with organized patterns of beliefs and behaviour that are centered on basic social needs. The behaviours and social norms determined by the soft or flexible boundaries around the marriage relationship are the rules that a marriage has. Married couples are the heirs to the system of society unlike other kinds of couples.

The main advantage of marriage for men is that it provides structure to their lives and makes their ambitions organized. Nock takes reference from Emile Durkheim and states that marriage restricts the unnecessary and uncontrolled desires of men and keeps them on the right track.

Two people can enjoy a harmonious and happy life through unmarried cohabitation (living together) without the benefit of marriage where they get freedom from the rules of marriage. For example they can decide about their earnings and vacations. The parents of such a couple need to create a relationship with them but they will always have a dilemma whether to treat them as a married couple or not. But the married couple has an established pattern to follow.

A man can accept his wife with great pride and can automatically share some established promises that are supported by laws, religion, and customs which are lacking in the case of an unmarried couple.

Marriage is a form of social capital like other physical capital. The only difference is that it is intangible unlike the tangible nature of physical capital. This type of capital demands some obligations to fulfill and they are eventually repaid as well. Marriage also promotes kinship as husband and wife are subjected to new kins after the marriage. In times of need they can receive assistance from those kins. 

The soft boundaries of marriage distinguish it from all the other forms of relationship. These boundaries are made up of various rules to define it. The six dimensions which set these boundaries establishing the notion of normative marriage in America (also in the world) are: 

1. Voluntary: Marriage is a free personal choice based on love. The two adults should enter into this institution voluntarily.

2. Maturity: Maturity is a presumed requirement for marriage.

3.Heterosexuality: Marriage is a heterosexual relationship.

4. Husband as the principal earner: The husband is the head and principal earner in a marriage.

5. Sexual faithfulness: Sexual fidelity and monogamy are expectations for a marriage.

6. Parenthood: Marriage typically involves children.

These are the ideal rules prevailing right now in human society but many marriages depart from these ideals. However, these dimensions of normative marriages have a great meaning and significance in a man’s life.

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. According to the author, what is marriage?

Ans: According to the author, marriage is a social institution wherein the union of two spouses is defined by legal, moral, and conventional assumptions.

b. How is marriage an institution?

Ans: Marriage is a social institution because It has certain sets of rules and norms to guide the social system and it is also culturally patterned and integrated into other basic social institutions, such as education, the economy, and politics.

c. What are the rules that a marriage has?

Ans: The behaviours and social norms determined by the soft or flexible boundaries around the marriage relationship are the rules that a marriage has.

d. Why does marriage matter to men?

Ans: Marriage is important for men because it gives them a clear structure in life, helps control their desires, and maintains a sense of moral balance. It provides stability and protection, and it aligns with what society expects from them. By being committed husbands and fulfilling their marital duties, men find meaning and fulfillment in their lives within a recognized framework, benefiting both themselves and society as a whole.

e. What is one of the central problems in modern society?

Ans:One of the central problems in modern society, as discussed in the essay by Stephen L. Nock, is the challenge of establishing legitimate boundaries around human desires and aspirations, particularly those related to well-being, comfort, luxury, and prestige. In modern societies where basic necessities like food, housing, and clothing are generally available, people often seek more than just survival; they strive for higher levels of satisfaction and fulfillment. The problem arises because, as desires for material comfort and personal achievement grow, they can become insatiable, leading to various societal issues. Nock references Emile Durkheim's perspective that social institutions like marriage play a role in restraining these otherwise uncontrollable impulses. These institutions provide a framework that helps individuals define and limit their desires within acceptable boundaries, thus preventing excessive and potentially harmful pursuit of personal goals. In summary, one of the central problems in modern society is finding ways to set and maintain boundaries on desires and ambitions to ensure social harmony and individual well-being.

f. What does social capital consist of?

Ans: Social capital consists of the extensive networks of individuals linked by bonds of trustworthiness and trust. It is essentially the value and benefit that individuals gain from their social connections and relationships within a community or society. Social capital is built on the belief that obligations will be incurred and repaid among these individuals, fostering a sense of mutual support and cooperation. These networks facilitate the flow of valuable knowledge, information, and resources among members and are sustained by social norms and sanctions that encourage certain behaviors and discourage others.

g. What is normative marriage? Explain.

Ans: Normative marriage, as described in the text by Stephen L. Nock, refers to the commonly accepted and idealized model of marriage within a particular society or culture. It represents the standard or norm that society, legal systems, religions, and customs uphold as the expected way for a marital relationship to function. Here are the key components of normative marriage: 1. Voluntary Commitment: Normative marriages are entered into voluntarily by mature adults who have the legal capacity to marry. This means that individuals willingly choose to marry without external coercion. 2. Heterosexual Union: In many societies, normative marriage traditionally involves a union between a man and a woman. However, it's important to note that the definition of marriage has evolved in many places to include same-sex marriages as well. 3. Principal Earners: There is often an expectation in normative marriage that husbands will be the primary earners or breadwinners of the family. This reflects traditional gender roles, although these roles are changing in modern societies. 4. Sexual Fidelity: Normative marriages typically expect both partners to be sexually faithful to each other. This means that marital infidelity is generally viewed as a breach of the norm. 5. Parenthood: Another expectation of normative marriage is that married partners will become parents. While not all married couples have children, this is often considered a natural part of the marital journey. These ideals of normative marriage serve as a societal framework for marital relationships. While many marriages may deviate from these ideals in various ways, they still constitute the core expectations and norms associated with marriage as expressed in law, religion, and custom. Normative marriage, in this context, is a form of social control, guiding and shaping the behaviors and aspirations of married couples based on collective sentiments and established norms.

 Reference to the context

a. Discuss six dimensions that define normative marriage in America.

Ans:. The six dimensions which set the soft boundaries establishing the notion of normative marriage in America are: 

1. Voluntary: Marriage is a free personal choice based on love. The two adults should enter into this institution voluntarily.

2. Maturity: Maturity is a presumed requirement for marriage.

3.Heterosexuality: Marriage is a heterosexual relationship.

4. Husband as the principal earner: The husband is the head and principal earner in a marriage.

5. Sexual faithfulness: Sexual fidelity and monogamy are expectations for a marriage.

6. Parenthood: Marriage typically involves children.

b. Do marriages differ according to culture? How is your marriage practice different

from marriage in America?

 Reference beyond the text

a. Write an essay on the marriage practice in your own culture.

b. Is marriage a social institution? Discuss.