Chapter 8: Blog

Summary:

The topic of Chapter 8 encompasses dating and mate selection. The chapter starts off with the dating process being a “marriage market,” in that participants compare and contrast the assets and liabilities that eligible partners possess. There are manifest and latent functions for dating; manifest functions (visual, intended) consist of companionship and fun, while latent functions (unintended and not immediately recognizable) are sexual experimentation and ego fulfillment. Traditional dating roles, the idea of a boy taking a girl “out” (picking her up, paying for everything etc.) have been in competition with more contemporary methods of dating that offer different pros and cons (i.e. less risk and lower cost financially), consisting of “hooking-up” and “getting-together.” Much of how people of all ages and races date depend on homogamy, which are rules that define appropriate mates in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, age, and social class. Other factors that influence how we date consist of Social Exchange Theory and Equity Theory. Dating can be fun, but also can create many problems and risks; such problems can include aggression from sexual tension, peer pressure, secrecy, unrealistic perceptions and expectations on the roles of men and women, and alcohol and drug use. Breaking up can be seen as difficult, but necessary and vital, providing opportunities for persona growth and development; it is common that people date first rather than marry because breaking up a relationship provides less complications than ending a marriage.

New Material Learned:

Before reading this chapter, I was unaware of the term (not the actual idea) “dowry,” which refers to the money, goods, or property that a woman brings to a marriage.

Questions:

The chapter discusses how women are more likely than men to produce depressive and negative symptoms towards relationship abuse and cheating. I would like to know how men’s behaviors actually compare to those of women’s regarding this idea; are men really significantly less susceptible to displaying emotions and depressive behaviors regarding abuse as the book suggests?

-Matthew Sniscak