Deck 14: Marriage: the Good, the Bad, and the Greedy

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a reason suggested by Gerstel and Sarkisian to explain why people with strong community ties are less likely to be married?

A) They feel a sense of social satisfaction derived from the community.
B) Communities may discourage marriage in order to protect the group.
C) The have fewer opportunities to meet new potential partners.
D) Cultures with strong communities place less social importance on marriage.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

In contemporary American society, the primary goal of marriage is to ______.

A) have children
B) reach financial well-being
C) find a soul mate
D) bring families together

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Gerstel and Sarkisian found that compared to people who never married, married men and women are ______.

A) significantly less involved with their parents and sibling
B) significantly more involved in their extended families
C) uncaring about losing touch with parents, siblings, and cousins
D) more likely to offer emotional support to parents and siblings

Answer 3

A

Question 4

What do Gerstel and Sarkisian mean by a "marriage penalty?" Are there exceptions to the marriage penalty? What do you think could be done to offset the marriage penalty?

Question 5

The benefits of marriage are dismissed by some critics as "selection effects," which argues that ______.

A) people who are healthier, wealthier, and more law-abiding are more likely to marry and stay married; marriage did not cause these traits
B) marriage makes people healthier, wealthier, and more law-abiding; marriage is the cause of these traits
C) that people who are selective/ picky about their spouse will have more successful marriages
D) marriage is an arcane tradition without benefit

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a cost associated with marriage for women?

A) household work increases
B) risk of abuse increases
C) increased isolation
D) increased activity levels

Question 7

Gerstel and Sarkisian conclude that ______.

A) politicians are beginning to look at research and reforming their opinions
B) growing advocacy for marriage unwittingly undermines community
C) the emphasis should be on marriage quantity and not marriage quality
D) marriage initiatives that promote healthy relationships will increase community engagement

Question 8

According to Gerstel and Sarkisian, honeymoons illustrate ______.

A) the reclusive nature of intimate relationships from community life
B) the importance of the couple as self-dependent and financially stable
C) the consumer-driven nature of contemporary marriage
D) the importance that couples place on travel instead of maintaining the family homestead.

Question 9

Gerstel and Sarkisian argue that contrary to many opinions today, research suggests that marriage ______ community ties.

A) can strengthen
B) can diminish
C) has no effect on
D) is best for

Question 10

Using Gerstel and Sarkisian's reading, describe three aspects of contemporary American culture that contribute to the community decline in the face of marriage.