Marriage and Family Life

Marriage and family are key structures in most societies. While the two
institutions have historically been closely linked in Canadian culture, their connection is
becoming more complex. The relationship between marriage and family is an interesting
topic of study to sociologists.

Sociologists are interested in the relationship between the institution of marriage

and the institution of family because, historically, marriages are what create a family,
and families are the most basic social unit upon which society is built. Both marriage
and family create status roles that are sanctioned by society.

This written report will show you the important things that you have to learn about
the two important institution of our society.

Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a socially or ritually recognized

union between spouses that establishes rights and obligations between those spouses.
The definition of marriage varies around the world not only between cultures and
between religions, but also throughout the history of any given culture and religion.

Marriage is both a natural institution and a sacred union because it is rooted in

the divine plan of creation. In addition, the Catholic Church teaches that the valid

1
marriage between two baptized Christians is also a sacrament – a saving reality and a
symbol of Christ’s love for his church

2 Purposes of Marriage

 Unitive- growth in mutual love between the spouses.

 Procreative- creating new generation of life to make a family.

3 Essentials in Marriage

 Permanency
 Exclusivity
 Faithfulness

Importance of Marriage

1. Beginning

Marriage is the beginning—the beginning of the family—and is a life-long. It also

provides an opportunity to grow in selflessness as you serve your wife and children.
Marriage is more than a physical union; it is also a spiritual and emotional union. This
union mirrors the one between God and His Church.

2. Oneness

When a man and woman get married, the “two become one.” Marriage is a bond like no
other. It gives us a life partner, a teammate, as we move through the challenges of life
together.

3. Purity

Marriage is designed for purity. We are under assault by temptation nearly every minute
and from many directions. The bond of marriage gives us the support to defeat that
temptation by engaging in deep, satisfying love—a love that gives to, and receives from,
our mate physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

2
4. Parenting

When a marriage produces a child or receives a child through adoption, it is one of life’s
greatest blessings. Roughly 40% of children being raised today are in a home without a
father. The effects of that fact are staggering. Father absence causes increases in
mental and behavioral disorders as well as criminal activity and substance abuse. But
when children are raised in a healthy marriage, they get a front row seat to see and
experience the lasting benefits of strong family.

5. Love

Marriage is designed to mirror our Creator’s unconditional love for us. It’s a love that will
always be there and will never leave us or forsake us. When a man and woman love
one another with that unconditional love, contentment follows and joy abounds.

Types of Marriage

 Monogamy- when someone is married to only one person at a time.

 Polygamy- being married to more than one person at a time.
Polygyny refers to a man being married to more than one woman at the
same time.
Polyandry the reverse, when a woman is married to more than one man
at the same time.

How to get married in the Philippines

Required Documents and Information:

If this is your first marriage, the local civil registrar will ask to see your original
birth certificates or your baptismal certificates. Certified copies may be accepted. You
need to provide the full name, residence, and citizenship of your parents or guardians.

If either of you is not citizens of The Republic of The Philippines, you have to
provide your passport and a certificate of legal capacity to contract marriage. An

3
affidavit in lieu of a certificate of legal capacity to contract marriage may also be
accepted. You need to check with a U.S. consular officer to make sure that they are
providing the affidavit.

Age Requirements, Parental Consent, Parental Advice:

If you are under the age of 18, you cannot get married in the Philippines even if
your parents are okay with the marriage.

Individuals must be at least 21 years old to get married in the Philippines without
written parental consent. If your parents cannot appear with you before the local civil
registrar, a legal affidavit with the signatures of two witnesses may be accepted.

Individuals between the age of 21 and 25 must ask their parents or guardian for
advice upon the intended marriage. If they do not obtain such advice, or if it is
unfavorable, the marriage license shall not be issued till after three months following the
completion of the publication of the application therefor. A sworn statement by the
contracting parties to the effect that such advice has been sought, together with the
written advice given, if any, shall be attached to the application for marriage license.
Should the parents or guardian refuse to give any advice, this fact shall be stated in the
sworn statement."

Fees:

Check with the local civil registrar for the fees charged for a marriage license. Fees for a
marriage license may be waived if the couple applying has no visible means of income
or has insufficient income.

Pre-Marital Counseling and Family Planning Seminar:

If either of you is between the ages of 18 and 25, you will need to show proof to the
local civil registrar that you have received marriage counseling.

4
If you do not receive marriage counseling, your marriage license will not be issued for
three months.

Previous Marriages:

If you have been previously married, you will need to provide the death certificate of
your deceased spouse or the judicial decree of your absolute divorce or the judicial
decree of your annulment or declaration of nullity of your previous marriage.

Witnesses:

Two witnesses are required. Witnesses must be of legal age.

Officiants:

Members of the local judiciary; priests, rabbis, imams, ministers of registered churches
or religious sects; consul generals, consuls, vice-consuls. Military commanders in the
absence of a chaplain and ship captains and airplane chiefs can solemnize a marriage
in articulo mortis.

Marriage Problems and Solutions

1. Communication
All relationship problems stem from poor communication, according to Elaine
Fantle Shimberg, author of Blending Families. "You can't communicate while
you're checking your BlackBerry, watching TV, or flipping through the sports
section," she says.
Possible solutions:
 Make an actual appointment with each other.
 Set up some rules. Try not to interrupt until your partner is through
speaking, or ban phrases such as "You always ..." or "You never ...."
2. Lack of Intimate Moments

5
 Even partners who love each other can be a mismatch, sexually. Mary Jo Fay,
author of Please Dear, Not Tonight, says a lack of sexual self-awareness and
education worsens these problems.
Possible solutions:
 Plan, plan, plan. Fay suggests making an appointment, but not necessarily
at night when everyone is tired.
 If your sexual relationship problems can't be resolved on your own, Fay
recommends consulting a qualified sex therapist to help you both address
and resolve your issues.
3. Financial
Money problems can start even before the wedding vows are exchanged.
Possible solutions:
 Be honest about your current financial situation. If things have gone south,
continuing the same lifestyle is unrealistic.
 Don't hide income or debt. Bring financial documents, including a recent
credit report, pay stubs, bank statements, insurance policies, debts, and
investments to the table.
4. Home Organization
Most partners work outside the home and often at more than one job. So it's
important to fairly divide the labor at home.
Possible solutions:
 Be organized and clear about your respective jobs in the home.
 Divide all the chores in every family member.
5. Conflict
Occasional conflict is a part of a relationship. There will be rough situations that
may challenge your relationship as married couple.
Possible solutions:
 Realize you are not a victim. It is your choice whether you react and how
you react.
 Give a little; get a lot. Apologize when you're wrong. Sure it's tough, but
just try it and watch something wonderful happen.

6
 6. Trust
Trust is a key part of a relationship. Trusting your partner is another way of
showing love to each other.
Possible solution: COMMUNICATION

Family and Parenthood

The family which is the oldest and most universal institution id the basic social
institution in most societies cherished and protected by the state. It is a primary group
formed by the ceremonial marriage of a male and female, resulting later in the birth of
one or more children.

The major dai.sy concerns of family life are to prepare a child for his adult place
in society and to maintain that integration once made.

The Filipino Family

Although in many societies family life is deteriorating so rapidly simply because

the entire way of life of the modern culture has greatly changed, the Filipino family in
general is still monogamous. Like any other ordinary family all over the world, the
Filipino family plays a unique role for the child as it gives him affection, care, attention,
protection and engenders in him a sense of belonging or security.

Duties of the Family Members of the Filipino Family

7
  The Husband and Father- the leader or head and his authority are respected.
He sets rules for all the members to observe in order to maintain order,
discipline, and harmony. He should be a good provider because it is his duty to
support the needs of his family.
 The Wife and Mother- She is the heart of the family. Second in command if the
home if absence of father occurred. She manages the household, treasurer of
the family income and takes the full responsibility of taking care and nurturing the
children.
 The Children- acknowledge and respect the authority of the home. Every child is
entitled to be taken care of by the parents and each one of them has a right.

Importance of the Family

 The strong or weak mental and physical aspects of the organism inherited from
the parents can be developed in the family.
 In the family the child learns the meaning of social responsibility and the
necessity for cooperation.
 The family is transmitter of culture.
 The family serves as a model for the establishment of another family.

Functions of the Filipino Family

1. The family regulates the sexual behavior and is the unit for reproduction.
2. The family performs the function of biological maintenance.
3. The family is the chief agency in socializing the child.
4. The family gives its members status.
5. The family is an important mechanism for social control.
6. The family is an important economic unit.
7. The family has an educational function.
8. The family has a recreational function.
9. The family has a religious function.
10. The family has a political function.

8
Problems Confronting the Filipino Family

1. Gambling- is a problem confronting the family because it deprives the family of

such funds as should be spent in the home, often times it leads to poverty.
2. Movies- there are times that some films tell stories that are destructive especially
to the young once.
3. Lack of adequate preparations for married life- people who marry at an early
age do not know the responsibilities of a husband or a wife. They are not taught
how to run the household and care the whole family.
4. Imprudent choice in marriage- present day marriages are undertaken by
teenagers without parental consent or advice may lead into failure.
5. The effect of city life- there are forms of recreation and everyone wants to cope
u with the standards of peer.
6. The practice of birth control and abortion- it remains a problem to the Filipino
family because having such knowledge many young unmarried are encouraged
to commit immorality.
7. The practice of divorce- this undermines and ultimately destroys the foundation
of the Filipino family.

How to have a Happy Family

Happy family life emerges through the cooperation of the members of the home.
Each member loves the other members of his family, appreciates what the other family
members do for him, and accepts responsibilities cheerfully. Here the three secrets to
have a happy family:

1. Give Yourself to your Family

2. Private Family Activities
3. COMMUNICATE with your family.