Deck 9: Singlehood, Cohabitation, Civil Unions, and Other Options

Question 1

For people of both sexes,the younger age at first marriage in the 1950s and 1960s was

A)normal in that historically marriage ages have always been low.
B)a historical exception rather than the rule.
C)caused by an increase in premarital sexuality and pregnancy.
D)a rebellion against parents who did not want their children to marry.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

According to the text,more people than in the past are

A)choosing to marry.
B)living together without marriage.
C)raising children in two parent families.
D)marrying at a young age.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

A major reason for the high never-married rate among black women is the

A)decline in the popularity of marriage.
B)increase in the popularity of cohabitation.
C)shortage of marriageable African American men.
D)decrease in the desire to have children.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Of all those living alone,most are

A)college age men.
B)college age women.
C)older men.
D)older women.

Question 5

Of all those living alone,most are

A)white.
B)African American.
C)Latino.
D)Asian American.

Question 6

Why might many women in their middle years experience a marriage squeeze?

A)They are only interested in already married men.
B)They are looking for much younger men to marry.
C)Men their age are looking for much younger women.
D)Men in their middle years do not want to marry.

Question 7

The sex imbalance in the ratio of available unmarried women and men is called the

A)sex ratio.
B)marriage squeeze.
C)demographic slide.
D)marriage opportunity index.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a reason why we are marrying later than our parents or grandparents did?

A)Many singles are pursuing a college education.
B)Many singles are preparing for a job or a career.
C)Many singles are spending more time in recreational or other activities before settling down.
D)Many singles are not wanting to fall in love and have children.

Question 9

Low income couples often retreat from marriage after the birth of a child because

A)they discover they really do not love each other.
B)their families pressure them not to marry in haste.
C)they do not want people to think they married because of the baby.
D)they believe they should first achieve a certain level of financial stability.

Question 10

Which of the following is a benefit of remaining single in later life?

A)not having to save extra money for retirement
B)not having to worry about sex
C)not having to worry about widowhood or divorce
D)not having to socialize

Question 11

Which of the following is not an individual reason why singles are delaying marriage?

A)They can not find an appropriate mate from the same social class.
B)They worry about divorce.
C)They are waiting to meet their soul mate.
D)They like their independence and autonomy.

Question 12

Which of the following is an individual level reason why we postpone marriage?

A)fearing divorce
B)a bad economy
C)war
D)the marriage squeeze

Question 13

Why are many never-married mothers likely to remain single?

A)They do not love the fathers of their children.
B)They can not find a good husband.
C)Most men do not believe the children are theirs.
D)Women are now taught that they can make it on their own.

Question 14

Single people rely on _____________ rather than a spouse for support and companionship.

A)themselves
B)neighbors
C)coworkers
D)peers

Question 15

__________ singles are those who would like to be married and are actively seeking mates.This group includes those who are widowed or divorced and single parents who would like to get married.

A)Involuntary stable
B)Involuntary temporary
C)Voluntary temporary
D)Voluntary stable

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of being single?

A)privacy
B)faithful sexual partner
C)economic autonomy
D)exciting,changing lifestyle

Question 17

Which of the following is a macro-level factor that affects our decision to marry?

A)technological advances in contraceptive techniques
B)desire to be independent
C)physical or mental disability
D)waiting for a soul mate

Question 18

__________singles are open to marriage but place a lower priority on searching for mates than on other activities,such as education,career,politics,and self-development.

A)Involuntary stable
B)Involuntary temporary
C)Voluntary temporary
D)Voluntary stable

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a reason for choosing to live alone?

A)Many Americans choose to live alone because they can afford it.
B)Our values emphasize individualism.
C)Many older Americans are ill or disabled,making them poor marriage partners.
D)We have more options,including singlehood.

Question 20

__________ singles include people who have never married and are satisfied with the choice,those who have been married but do not want to remarry,those who are living together but do not intend to marry,and those whose lifestyles preclude the possibility of marriage,such as priests and nuns.

A)Involuntary stable
B)Involuntary temporary
C)Voluntary temporary
D)Voluntary stable

Question 21

Never-married rates among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are among the

A)most stable.
B)highest.
C)lowest.
D)most wildly fluctuating over time.

Question 22

Some people maintain that cohabitation is replacing marriage,

A)and they are correct as young people no longer desire to marry.
B)but this is true only among those over age 39.
C)but there's little evidence to support such claims.
D)however it is more likely that cohabitation will replace being single rather than marriage.

Question 23

Which of the following is not a reason why seniors (over age 65)may cohabit rather than re-marry?

A)Remarriage may mean giving up a former spouse's pension.
B)They had an unpleasant divorce in the past.
C)Their grown children fear being displaced in their parents' affection.
D)They think it will be easier to care for a new spouse if they are not married.

Question 24

Across all ethnic groups,the main reason for delaying marriage is

A)the desire of women to remain independent.
B)the inability of men to commit.
C)a lack of money.
D)a decreasing desire by both men and women to marry.

Question 25

Most cohabitors are

A)college-age.
B)under 25 years old.
C)between 25 and 44 years old.
D)over 65 years old.

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT a myth about being single?

A)Singles are tied to their mother's apron strings.
B)Singles are selfish and self-centered.
C)Singles are usually lonely and miserable.
D)Singles are well-off financially.

Question 27

Shelly and Todd met while working summer jobs near Denali National Park.They started dating and soon decided to rent a small apartment together for the rest of the summer to save money.Their living arrangement would be called

A)premarital cohabitation
B)substitute marriage cohabitation
C)dating cohabitation
D)trial marriage cohabitation

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a reason why the data probably undercount the number of cohabiting couples?

A)Researchers have not been interested in cohabitation and so have not asked couples about their living status.
B)The Census Bureau does not tabulate all unmarried couples in a home but only the person who rent or owns the residence and her or his unmarried partner.
C)Unmarried couples may be reluctant to disclose that they are living together.
D)Couples that feel they are in a common-law marriage may not describe themselves as "unmarried partners."

Question 29

Gina and Scott met after Gina divorced her first husband.They moved in together and eventually had three children.Gina and Scott never married because they feel that a legal ceremony is not necessary.Their living arrangement would be called

A)premarital cohabitation
B)substitute marriage cohabitation
C)dating cohabitation
D)trial marriage cohabitation

Question 30

Most cohabitating relationships

A)result in legal marriage.
B)last five years or more.
C)are short lived.
D)end in common-law marriage.

Question 31

POSSLQs stands for

A)Persons of the Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters.
B)Possums Outside Shearing Six Lilacs for the Queen.
C)People Over Silly Sectarian Lifestyle Quandaries.
D)Proportion of Singles Seeking Love with Qualifications.

Question 32

Jesse and Alicia just moved in together after dating rather seriously for two years.They are seriously considering getting married but want to live together before making a final commitment.Their living arrangement would be called

A)premarital cohabitation
B)substitute marriage cohabitation
C)dating cohabitation
D)trial marriage cohabitation

Question 33

Which of the following is a reason that African Americans may be delaying or forgoing marriage?

A)There is a shortage of marriageable African American women.
B)College educated black men do not want to marry.
C)Black men are less likely to want children.
D)A disproportionate number of black men in their twenties and early thirties are in prison or jail.

Question 34

Since 1960,the rate of cohabitation has

A)stayed the same.
B)decreased.
C)increased.
D)not been measured.

Question 35

Matt and LeeAnn are uncertain about their relationship and want to see what marriage might be like although they don't necessarily believe they will end up married to each other.Their situation illustrates

A)premarital cohabitation
B)substitute marriage cohabitation
C)dating cohabitation
D)trial marriage cohabitation

Question 36

Among Asian Americans,acculturation

A)leads to early marriage.
B)decreases the divorce rate.
C)can increase the number of singles.
D)has little effect on marriage patterns.

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT a reason why singlehood is increasing among Latinos?

A)The Latino population is older with most singles being over age 50.
B)Mexicans who migrate to the U.S.for economic reasons postpone marriage until they can support a family.
C)Being undocumented (illegal)makes it difficult to marry.
D)Low-paying jobs and high unemployment rates can delay marriage.

Question 38

In what type of cohabitation do two people make a long-term commitment,but do not get legally married?

A)premarital cohabitation
B)substitute marriage cohabitation
C)dating cohabitation
D)trial marriage cohabitation

Question 39

Some people drift gradually into __________ cohabitation when a couple that spends a great deal of time together eventually decides to move in together.

A)premarital
B)trial marriage
C)dating
D)substitute marriage

Question 40

In what type of cohabitation do partners live together to see what marriage might be like-whether marriage to each other or someone else?

A)premarital cohabitation
B)substitute marriage cohabitation
C)dating cohabitation
D)trial marriage cohabitation

Question 41

Once a couple has lived together and shared possessions,pets or children,and has invested time in the relationship,they may slide into marriage rather than making a conscious decision and commitment.This illustrates the __________ effect.

A)selection
B)inertia
C)cohabitation experience
D)dissolution

Question 42

Which of the following is a reason why people who cohabit before marriage are more likely to get divorced?

A)Cohabitants tend to talk too much about their relationship.
B)Cohabitants put too much effort into their relationships.
C)Cohabitants are more likely to have drug and alcohol problems.
D)Cohabitants tend to spend too much time together.

Question 43

Children who grow up with cohabiting couples tend to have __________ life outcomes than those who grow up with married parents.

A)better
B)similar
C)exactly the same
D)worse

Question 44

Through cohabitation,people may come to accept the temporary nature of relationships and to view cohabitation as an alternative to marriage.This illustrates the __________ effect.

A)selection
B)inertia
C)cohabitation experience
D)dissolution

Question 45

Which of the following is a benefit of cohabitation?

A)better relationships with in-laws
B)emotional security of an intimate relationship while still maintaining independence
C)more help from parents since cohabitants generally have lower incomes
D)reason to reduce participating in activities with friends and overtime at work

Question 46

Which of the following is not an argument given for why same-sex marriages should not be legal?

A)Gay households are not the best place to raise children because they might imitate their parents' homosexual behavior.
B)All adopted children are better off with parents who can provide heterosexual gender role models.
C)Homosexual couples do not love each other as much as heterosexual couples and therefore are more likely to get divorced.
D)Same sex marriage would polarize church members who are opposed to gay unions.

Question 47

Why have most communes in the United States been short-lived?

A)Often the members became too dependent on each other.
B)Most members could not help economically support the commune.
C)Most members were unwilling to give up their autonomy or private property.
D)Communes did not have enough resources to deal with the overabundance of new members.

Question 48

According to many legal experts,in financial matters,it is best if cohabitants

A)maintain separate ownership of possessions.
B)share credit cards.
C)put all car insurance in the woman's name.
D)do not put too much in writing that can be used against them if the relationship ends.

Question 49

From a historical perspective,the present tendency to delay marriage is the norm,especially for men.

Question 50

The __________ effect refers to the fact that people who cohabit before marriage have different characteristics than people who do not.

A)cohabitation experience
B)selection
C)inertia
D)dissolution

Question 51

Which of the following is an accurate statement concerning children living in cohabitating households?

A)They experience less domestic violence as it is easier for their mother to end the relationship.
B)They are more likely to be financially well off as they have two adults supporting the children.
C)The adults spend more money on themselves than on the children.
D)They have fewer academic,emotional,or beahvioral problems.

Question 52

Some cohabitants are poor marriage risks because of their higher incidence of drug problems,inability to handle money,trouble with the law,unemployment,sexual infidelity,and personality problems.These risk factors also increase the likelihood of divorce after marriage.The foregoing illustrates the __________ effect.

A)cohabitation experience
B)selection
C)inertia
D)dissolution

Question 53

Which of the following communal groups required its members to lead celibate lives?

A)the Shakers.
B)the Mormons.
C)the Icarians.
D)the Oneidas.

Question 54

The Defense of Marriage Act,signed by President Clinton in 1996,

A)stipulates that all loving relationships be recognized legally.
B)stipulates that states need not respect a homosexual marriage even if the marriage is valid in another state.
C)made homosexual marriages legal in all states and US territories.
D)prohibits same-sex marriages.

Question 55

Which of the following is a cost of cohabitation?

A)Some partners may experience a loss of identity or a feeling of being trapped.
B)Some partners may feel they are now required to do more activities with friends who are couples too.
C)Some partners may feel pressured to spend more time with their potential in-laws or extended family.
D)Some men find that they are required to do more household chores than the women does.

Question 56

Many same sex couples argue that civil union legislation is not enough,because they are

A)denied state government benefits.
B)unable to adopt under most civil union legislation.
C)treated as second-class citizens.
D)unable to have a wedding.

Question 57

Which of the following is NOT a reason why gay and lesbian couples from racial-ethnic families may have more difficulty?

A)Racial-ethnic families tend to be more traditional.
B)In some faiths,homosexual behavior is considered aberrant or a sin.
C)Family members are expected to marry and to maintain the traditional family structure.
D)Homosexual couples are less likely to want to associate with members of their family.

Question 58

Which of the following is not an argument given for why same-sex marriages should be legal?

A)Homosexuals do not really want to have children and therefore will not start families.
B)It would be easier for same-sex couples to adopt children.
C)Every person should be allowed to marry someone that he or she loves.
D)Gay marriages are good for the economy because they boost businesses such as restaurants,hotels,and florists.

Question 59

Janet would like to be married someday but currently is focused on finishing her education.She also is very active with her state senator's reelection campaign and doesn't feel like she has a lot of time to date right now.She is an example of a voluntary stable single.

Question 60

Which of the following statements about homosexual couples is TRUE?

A)Homosexual couples usually express more satisfaction with their relationships than do heterosexual couples.
B)A majority of homosexual couples report having relationships where one person has more power than the other person.
C)Homosexual couples are much less likely complain about their partner's personal flaws.
D)Homosexual couples are as likely as heterosexual couples to criticize partners who are physically absent.

Question 61

In countries with highly skewed sex ratios,many more girls are born than boys.

Question 62

A positive aspect of remaining single is that never-marrieds don't have to deal with the trauma of widowhood or divorce.

Question 63

Kira and Dave love each other but don't feel that they need a "piece of paper" to formalize their commitment.They move in together and plan on staying together for life.Their relationship is an example of substitute marriage.

Question 64

Kira and Dave have dated for several years spending almost all their time together.Although they are not thinking of getting married,they move in together because it is more convenient and they can share living expenses.Their relationship is an example of premarital cohabitation.

Question 65

Of all people who live alone,the majority are white.

Question 66

Millions of men in their middle and later years experience a marriage squeeze because women their age are looking for older men.

Question 67

The likelihood of marriage increases with educational attainment.

Question 68

Technological advances in contraceptive techniques increase marriage rates because couples are able to be married without having children.

Question 69

Singles tend to be less involved with their parents and siblings than married people.

Question 70

The Census Bureau may under-count the percentage of couples who are cohabiting since many unmarried couples may be reluctant to disclose that they are living together.

Question 71

Acculturation can increase the number of singles in an ethnic group.

Question 72

Many Americans choose to live alone because they can afford it.

Question 73

Economic recessions tend to postpone marriage,especially for men.

Question 74

Singles who are delaying marriage rely on their coworkers rather than a spouse for support and companionship.

Question 75

More men than women live alone.

Question 76

People with sever physical or emotional problems are more likely to remain single or not marry at all.

Question 77

Most singles are worried about growing old and dying alone.

Question 78

Many singles are postponing marriage because they see it as a lifelong commitment that they might not be able to honor.

Question 79

A major reason for the high percentage of never-married black women is that they are less likely to value commitment.

Question 80

Tim's wife died fifteen years ago.He has dated quite a few women since then but nobody has really "clicked." Although he would have liked to have remarried,he is sure he will now never do so and will most likely remain permanently single.He is an example of a involuntary stable single.