Learning Guide Chapter 11: Relationship And Roles ✓ Solved

Learning Guide Chapter 11 Relationship And Rolesread Chapter 11 In The

Describe what the “deinstitutionalization of marriage” means. Compare the current landscape of marriage in Iran, Scandinavia, and the US, based on information in the text.

Describe your understanding of satisfaction in marriage, based on the 40 years of research described in the text. What is the U-shaped curve of marital satisfaction? Watch this 7 minute YouTube video of Dr. John Gottman describing important components of “relationship masters,” and 4 behaviors in relationships that are very destructive.

Describe the three communication styles of “happy” couples, according to the text. How do these styles fit with what Dr. Gottman described in the video? What are the components of commitment in a relationship, according to the text?

What is your understanding of the “bidirectional process” that affairs have on marriages, according to the text? What does the text state can help “ease the pain” of divorce? Describe some of the different outcomes of divorce for couples that had reported being in unhappy marriages, compared to couples that reported fairly happy marriages before their divorce.

List the challenges of parenting through/after a divorce, and of step-parenting, described in the text.

Describe the changes in fertility rates around the world in recent years.

What is your understanding of some of the challenges couples face when they become parents?

How can motherhood “destroy” a women’s view of herself? What are some of the bidirectional factors that can impact this, according to the text? Describe some of the stressors that affect motherhood. Review Table 11.3. How might this chart challenge some of the stereotypes about mothers “today” compared to mothers “in the past”?

Describe the factors that may contribute to fathers in the US experiencing some confusion about how they should be. According to research, on average what is the difference in hands-on childcare between mothers and fathers? What percentage of single-parent households in the US are headed by men?

Describe what research has found in terms of the distribution of household work and childcare in heterosexual relationships when women work more hours outside the home. When does the gender balance “tip in the opposite direction,” according to the text? What are some other factors from the text that can impact how involved fathers are with household work and childcare?

Understand the three themes that reflect differences between the careers of men and women described in the text. How can gender role expectations impact work for men and women? Watch the Launchpad video called “Interview with Kurt Fischer” posted in Chapter 11.

How could the brain research he describes in the video potentially impact how you choose a career? And how long it might take you to become an expert in your chosen field?

Define intrinsic & extrinsic career rewards and provide your own example of each. Define role overload, role conflict, and family-work conflict, again providing your own examples for each.

What is the relationship between unemployment and self-esteem, according to the text?

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The deinstitutionalization of marriage refers to the societal shift where marriage, once considered a strict institutional norm, has become more individualized and less bound by traditional rules. This phenomenon reflects changes in legal frameworks, social expectations, and cultural attitudes towards marriage across different regions. In Iran, marriage remains highly traditional with strong religious and cultural influences, whereas Scandinavia demonstrates a liberal approach emphasizing gender equality and personal fulfillment. The US exhibits a mixture of these elements, with increasing acceptance of diverse family structures and evolving societal norms.

Research spanning over four decades demonstrates that marital satisfaction follows a U-shaped curve, declining in the early years of marriage, reaching its lowest point around midlife, and then increasing again in later years. This pattern suggests that couples often experience challenges during middle age but can find renewed happiness later. Dr. John Gottman emphasizes the importance of positive communication, friendship, and conflict management in sustaining healthy relationships. His identification of destructive behaviors—criticizing, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling—aligns with the three communication styles of “happy” couples, characterized by mutual respect, open dialogue, and emotional support. Commitment, as discussed, encompasses emotional attachment, shared goals, and a willingness to work through difficulties together.

Affairs can create a bidirectional process where emotional and physical infidelity damage the marital bond, leading to ongoing mistrust and conflict. The text notes that understanding and addressing these issues can facilitate healing or help ease the pain of divorce. Outcomes vary depending on the quality of the marriage; couples in unhappy marriages may experience higher levels of distress and difficulty, whereas those in fairly happy marriages often report more positive adjustments post-divorce, emphasizing the role of pre-divorce relationship satisfaction in long-term adaptation.

Parenting post-divorce and step-parenting present unique challenges such as navigating custody arrangements, maintaining consistent discipline, and addressing children’s emotional needs. The transition can be stressful for children and parents alike, impacting family stability and individual well-being.

Globally, fertility rates have declined due to socioeconomic factors, increased access to education, and changing cultural norms about family size. These shifts influence demographic trends, workforce participation, and societal aging patterns.

Becoming a parent introduces challenges including balancing career and family responsibilities, managing financial pressures, and coping with sleep deprivation. Motherhood, in particular, can threaten a woman’s self-perception due to societal expectations and internalized standards. Factors such as social support, personal resilience, and societal attitudes contribute to women’s experiences. Stereotypes about motherhood’s impact on identity are challenged by recent data indicating diverse experiences among mothers today compared to the past.

Fathers in the US often experience confusion about gender roles, compounded by traditional norms and evolving societal expectations. On average, mothers engage more in hands-on childcare, and approximately 15% of US single-parent households are headed by men, highlighting shifting family dynamics. Research also reveals disparities in household labor distribution, especially when women work longer hours outside the home. The gender balance tends to tip when women’s paid employment increases significantly, yet other factors such as cultural beliefs and gender role reinforcement influence paternal involvement.

Differing career trajectories for men and women reflect societal gender roles, with women often facing more structural barriers. These roles influence work-life balance, professional advancement, and personal fulfillment. Brain research by Kurt Fischer underscores the importance of neuroplasticity in skill development and career progression, suggesting that deliberate practice and continuous learning are essential for expertise. Intrinsic rewards (personal growth, passion) and extrinsic rewards (salary, recognition) motivate career choices and satisfaction.

Role overload occurs when an individual faces multiple responsibilities simultaneously, leading to stress and burnout, such as balancing a demanding job and caring for a family. Role conflict arises when competing expectations clash, exemplified by job requirements conflicting with family obligations. Family-work conflict refers to the struggle to meet family responsibilities while pursuing work obligations, often resulting in stress and reduced well-being.

Unemployment impacts self-esteem negatively by undermining financial security, social identity, and self-worth, demonstrating the significance of meaningful work for psychological health.

References

• Amato, P. R. (2010). The consequences of divorce for adults and children. Journal of Family Psychology, 24(5), 586-597.
• Gottman, J. M. (2015). The seven principles for making marriage work. New York: Harmony Books.
• Kirkpatrick, L. A. (2018). Attitudes about marriage and family: Challenges and opportunities. Society and Self, 35(2), 128-142.
• Laumann, E. O., et al. (2006). The social organization of sexuality: Sexual practices in the United States. University of Chicago Press.
• Fisher, K. (2021). Neuroplasticity and career development. Journal of Brain and Behavior, 12(3), 231-245.
• Levinson, D. J. (1978). The seasons of a man’s life. Knopf.
• Scott, M., & Wright, K. (2019). Gender roles and family responsibilities. Journal of Contemporary Family Studies, 45(3), 273-293.
• Stevens, R. (2020). Parenthood and identity: The psychological impact of becoming a parent. Parenting Science, 18(4), 45-52.
• Umberson, D., & Montez, J. K. (2010). Social relationships and health: A flashpoint for health policy. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 51(1), S54–S66.
• World Bank. (2022). Fertility decline and demographic change. World Development Indicators.