Deck 4: We Cant Build Our Social System Around Marriage Anymore

Question 1

What does Cohen predict is most likely to happen to marriage between 2014 and 2050?

A) Marriage rates will continue to decline and will crash entirely by 2050.
B) Marriage rates will eventually taper off to a low, steady rate.
C) Marriage rates will rebound back to previous highs.
D) Marriage rates will bounce between extremely high and extremely low.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

What does Cohen hypothesize would be beneficial to marriages and American society?

A) increasing the number of marriages
B) abolishing the notion of marriage
C) creating more stable and egalitarian social relationships
D) creating universal marriages

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Explain why China may have greater gender equality than India despite having similar marriage rates for women in their early 30s.

Answer 3

Varies. May include the following:
-China has an income 4.5 times greater than India
-Indian women marry on average at age 20, compared to Chinese women marrying around age 24.
-China has invested in education for boys and girls and has promoted women's labor force participation
-China has a lower fertility rate

Question 4

Cohen states that early, universal marriage is a key barrier to gender equality. Do you agree? Use evidence from research, theories, and history to support your perspective.

Question 5

What do proponents of "strengthening marriage" often assume?

A) That more marriage is good and fewer marriages is bad.
B) Marriages are weak because of economic factors.
C) Improving gender equality and social relationships will result in more marriages.
D) Age of marriage should be postponed.

Question 6

Which of the following policies does Cohen NOT recommend for improving family stability?

A) removing tax penalties for marriage
B) pairing employment and wage support with social services
C) providing affordable, high-quality preschool and childcare
D) improving the economic security of poor people

Question 7

The rate of marriage in the United States has ______ since 1950.

A) gradually decreased
B) gradually increased
C) remained about the same
D) dropped dramatically

Question 8

According to Cohen, which of the following is NOT a reason that marriage rates may have declined?

A) The state and market now provide many of the functions that marriage used to.
B) The world is decreasing gender inequality.
C) Greater diversity in families is changing the traditional cultural values.
D) Cohen does not offer any explanations for the decrease.

Question 9

What was the impact of ending welfare payments to single mothers?

A) More men and women remained married.
B) More single mothers remarried.
C) Single mothers worked more, reducing time spent with their children.
D) The number of single parent families decreased.