Friday, November 6, 2009

Comparison of research #2

One interesting paper I read, by the Center for Population dynamics, thanks to the nice people at ASU

http://www.asu.edu/clas/ssfd/cepod/working/CePoD_WP_2009_103.pdf

They seem very adamant about pointing out one thing repeatedly! When a woman goes to work, her hours performing household work decreases, “ while men, to a lesser extent, have increased
the time they spend on housework”. This compels me to say two things.

First, I think men are by nature are less caring of how clean things are, period. That is why there are man caves, and the bachelor's coffee table (large wooden spool). Men just don't care as much. Second, it as if the writer had an ulterior motive for their statements. Like in the movie “The Break Up” Jenifer Aniston did not want her boyfriend to “just do the dishes”. She wanted him “To WANT to do the dishes”. It is an ineffective attempt to shame men to care about things they don't... and probably never will.

They also point out one other thing, marital happiness is directly related to carnal relation frequency. The long of the short here is, a couples marriage will be perceived as happier by both parties the more frequent they have relations. The part about this paper that left me a little disappointed was there was nothing that related to whether a perceived happy marriage would stand the test of time.

This is something for the masses out there to take home, and also it is what I am taking away from this paper. If the bed's-not-a-rockin', divorce comes a knockin'. Well maybe not. Maybe just a bunch of quiet dinner tables and lots of angsty sighs and eye rolling, more time spent in the garden, at the book club, in the garage, nights out without your spouse. Hunny, it's curling night at the skating rink... don't wait up! (Sarcasm vary intentional)

Comparison of research #1

I have seen different views from different people. Their views differed greatly from what I was expecting from them. I did some research to see if the sample I was interviewing was a good representation. One site I went to was http://marriage.rutgers.edu/Publications/pubtenthingsyoungadults.htm

This was a rather nicely documented paper about different factors that are kind of a tell about if a marriage will be successful or end in divorce. A few things stood out to me.

Being a single parent before marriage is a big indicator that someone will not get married in the future, or if they do, the relationship will end in divorce. Also getting married as a teenagers had similar results.

I also noticed that college educated people were less likely to divorce than people of lower education. Also if the family/friend/community you are from sets you up on a date, you are more likely to have common interests and backgrounds. You are already familiar with the other persons family/ heritage, this helps the general understanding of each other before you meet. I feel this will help with the getting through the “first year communication struggles”.

Interview with Bruce Freeman

Interview with Bruce Freeman 11/0609

I ask for a rant.

I teach about this stuff in human relations and we have been talking a about the draft away from long term committed marriages and what it means that people are in relationships outside of marriages. Not a rant really as an observation. That people are moving away from long term committed marriages as it is too hard. People are living to long. Too many other choices that may relate more to today's society.

Is Marriage dead?

No. Marriage will be with us for the foreseeable future and probably beyond. More pluses than negatives. I think it is cyclical and someday we may see a greater interest in marriage. In the past most things were centered around the family. Currently things are very self centered. Ease of personal gain in every aspect of life has penetrated to marriage. But I can see this being taught differently to the younger generations and seeing the family become the community center again.

I am optimistic. People are getting solid education regarding marriage. That is a good thing, in the world of easy choices.

Interview with Jerry

Interview with Jerry Kuzmiak

11/05/09

I asked for a rant about marriage. He replied that he could only give me a rave!

In today's society you almost need to be married to survive economically. The companionship is a necessity to maintain a healthy perspective in life. I digg it man, it really benefits me. My wife takes good care of me, and in my busy life she really helps me with the essentials. All women are a pain in the butt, but then again so are men.

Is marriage dead?

I don't think marriage is dead, the life long commitment is dead. Today's society make it easy to terminate the marriage if you get bored or discouraged in a relationship.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Samuel

Samuel Watkins

11 4 09

I asked for a rant to see where he would go. He responded with this.

Marriage starts as a relation ship first. You might know some one for a long time I have known my wife 18 years been seeing her 10 married 3.
It is important for a marriage to work, and you have to know them in and out, and their family too. I have children, I never thought about having children especially with my wife. But when I moved in with her, before we married we discussed children and I said no. After living with her for a year I started thinking about having children. I got to know how she works and really understood a woman. I never lived with a woman other than my mother, until I moved in with my girlfriend at the time. I now understand how smart a woman can be by actually sitting down and listening to my wife and listen to her every day. Now that we have kids I feel our marriage is complete. We have a stable relationship and stable relationship equals stable minds. Now we have focus and also learn to focus on our kids.

Is marriage dead?

No! well uh, my parents were married, I feel if you know that person as well as I know my wife and my wife is headache at times but the key is I know my wife so I know how to get around all the negativity especially now that she is pregnant.

Relinda

Interview with Relinda Wimbely,

Marriage I have never been married but one day would love to be married. Marriage can be a beautiful but marriage can be dangerous because people get married for the wrong reasons. One wrong reason I can think of is financial stability. I think you should never marry a person for their money or the money you can make together. If you ask me money is the reason the divorce rate is so high.

Is marriage dead?

No, but I believe the meaning is. Some people just get married for the reception and the gifts or put on a front for others that are watching them. AAAND some people get married because they have some ones kid. Or vice versa.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Interview with Gen X

Interview with male Genx early 20's

11/3/2009

He has explained that he has joined a group called “Fathers against marriage” his reasoning for this is,

He feels it is unfair that any type of contract is dropped when a child is born or brought into the relationship. A pre nuptial including coverage of a child, expires, even if partners agree to set child support and or visitations prior to the birth. The court does not recognise that document and decides what is to be done after a court hearing using current laws disregarding any previous agreed upon legal documents.

Is marriage dead? I asked him.

Several co-workers have stopped any formal seeking of a partner. There is a trend about them. Most of them have their life together. They have a house, nice car, work car, all the toys, frequent vacations. They are afraid of what would happen if a “gold digger” or Springer psycho was incognito and ruined their life. They all expressed either first hand mishaps or witnessed close friends lives ruined by partners that were upset and felt they were “OWED” something for their “services” or “pain suffered”.

He pauses, “I think marriage as it is Ideally thought of is dead. Marriage is now substituted with a modern day magazine story. Marriage used to be thought of as a sharing of oneself with another, which I would relate more to a love novel, good times bad times and test of emotions towards each other. Where as today marriage is more like a magazine story not comparing the two in size, the magazine story is more influenced by people outside the relationship, and personal gain. Where the Ideal marriage is not thought of that way, it is how the couple can advance together.”

“in a novel, it is about the book, the story, the characters. In a magazine the story and characters are all influenced by sales. The stories need to sell to a demographic. Advertisements want Excitement, Flash and Glamour. Sensational headlines drive sales up. This leaves much to be desired in the quality of a character, and the story, the plot has been changed into one exciting car chase after another. Nothing is of substance, all smoke and mirrors. When the excitement ends so does the relationship.”