Contemporary marriage : Comparative perspectives on a changing institution : Mostly papers that were first presented at a conference, which took place at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford, Calif., on August 23-25. 1982

This fascinating symposium is based on an assumption that no longer seems to need justification: that the institution of marriage is today experiencing profound changes. But the nature of those changes―their causes and consequences―is very much in need of explication. The experts contributing to this volume bring a wide range of perspectives―sociological, anthropological, economic, historical, psychological, and legal―to the problem of marriage in modern society. Together these essays help illuminate a form of relationship that is both vulnerable and resilient, biological and social, a reflection of and an influence on other social institutions. Contemporary Marriage begins with an important assessment of the revolution in marital behavior since World War II, tracing trends in marriage age, cohabitation, divorce, and fertility. The focus here is primarily on the United States and on idustrial societies in general. Later chapters provide intriguing case studies of particular countries. There is a recurrent interest in the impact on marriage of modernization itself, but a number of essays probe influences other than industrial development, such as strong cultural and historical patterns or legislation and state control. Beliefs and expectations about marriage are explored, and human sexuality and gender roles are also considered as factors in the nature of marriage. Contemporary Marriage offers a rich spectrum of approaches to a problem of central importance. The volume will reward an equally broad spectrum of readers interested in the meaning and future of marriage in our society. The Meaning And Significance Of Marriage In Contemporary Society -- Part I. The Revolution In Marital Behavior : The Factual Study -- The Future Of Marriage / Kingsley Davis -- The Recent Decline Of American Marriage : Blacks And Whites In Comparative Perspective / Thomas J. Espenshade -- Cohabitation In The 1980s : Recent Changes In The United States / Graham B. Spanier -- Couples Without Children : Premarital Cohabitation In France / Elwood Carlson -- Part Ii. The Limits Of Variation In Marital Patterns -- Darwinism And Contemporary Marriage / Donald Symons -- The Importance Of Marriage For Socialization : A Comparison Of Achievements And Social Adjustment Between Offspring Of One- And Two-parent Families In Israel / Yochanan Peres And Rachel Pasternack -- Part Iii. Comparative Studies Of Marital Change -- Historical Reflections On American Marriage / John Modell -- Japan : Culture Versus Industrialization As Determinant Of Marital Patterns / Joy Hendry -- Marriage, Family, And The State In Contemporary China / Margery Wolf -- African Marriage In An Impinging World : The Case Of Southern Africa / Adam Kuper -- A Familistic Religion In A Modern Society / James E. Smith -- Part Iv. Law And The Revolution Of Sex Roles -- The Divorce Law Revolution And The Transformation Of Legal Marriage / Lenore J. Weitzman -- New Models Of Marriage And Divorce : Significant Legal Developments In The Last Decade / Grace Ganz Blumberg -- Part V. Calculation And Emotion In The Marriage Market / Amyra Grossbard-shechtman -- Emotional Aspects Of Contemporary Relations : From Status To Contract / Alan A. Stone. Edited By Kingsley Davis, In Association With Amyra Grossbard-shechtman. Includes Bibliographies And Index. Cover Title Page, Copyright Page Contents Introduction - The Meaning and Significance of Marriage in Contemporary Society Chapter 1 - The Future of Marriage Chapter 2 - The Recent Decline of American Marriage: Blacks and Whites in Comparative Perspective Chapter 3 - Cohabitation in the 1980s: Recent Changes in the United States Chapter 4 - Couples Without Children: Premarital Cohabitation in France Chapter 5 - Darwinism and Contemporary Marriage Chapter 6 - The Importance of Marriage for Socialization: A Comparison of Achievements and Social Adjustment Between Offspring of One- and Two-Parent Families in Israel Chapter 7 - Historical Reflections on American Marriage Chapter 8 - Japan: Culture Versus Industrialization as Determinant of Marital Patterns Chapter 9 - Marriage, Family, and the State in Contemporary China Chapter 10 - African Marriage in an Inpinging World: The Case of Southern Africa Chapter 11 - A Familistic Religion in a Modern Society Chapter 12 - The Divorce Law Revolution and the Transformation of Legal Marriage Chapter 13 - New Models of Marriage and Divorce: Significant Legal Developments in the Last Decade Chapter 14 - Marriage Squeezes and the Marriage Market Chapter 15 - Emotional Aspects of Contemporary Relations: From Status to Contract Index