The Benefits of Marriage Reconsidered

Authors

Barbara Wells, Maryville College
Maxine Baca Zinn, Michigan State University

Keywords

Marital stability, family diversity, inequality, rural families, social class, social policy

Abstract

This paper suggests that analyses of marriage experience take into account both structures of inequality and context. Although marriage is widely viewed as producing economic well-being and family stability, this analysis of a sample of White rural families finds the likelihood of realizing these benefits to be closely related to social class position. Marriage failed to produce these benefits for many working class and poor families. Although gains in economic self-sufficiency are viewed as an explanation for White women's perceived retreat from marriage, the limited opportunity structure for women in this rural place provides a context in which women continue to rely on marriage for economic survival.

Recommended Citation

Wells, Barbara and Zinn, Maxine Baca (2004) "The Benefits of Marriage Reconsidered," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 31: Iss. 4, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.3027
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol31/iss4/5