Question

What is the central idea of the excerpt?a. In proper societies, there are strict laws about marriageb. Men will fall into submission when their wives are welleducated.c. In equal roles, men and women will establish moremeaningful marriages.d. Men and women should marry for reasons other thanlove and affection.

Answer 1

The central idea of the excerpt is that marriage serves various socio-economic and legal functions in society, with implications for gender roles and property rights, and is subject to change with evolving social norms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The central idea of the excerpt revolves around the various functions and rules that marriage serves in society, indicating that it is a complex social institution rather than just a simple union based on love and affection. Throughout different societies and times, marriage has served to produce and nurture offspring, reduce competition among individuals, create economic alliances, and solidify social status and property. Moreover, it highlights the various social constructs surrounding marriage such as gender roles, family structures, and social norms like endogamy and exogamy, while pointing out that concepts of marriage can change and adapt with the times.

In analyzing the excerpts, it is clear that marriage is not solely for love and affection, but is heavily influenced by economic, legal, and social considerations. Laws of endogamy and exogamy, the control of property through dowry, and the legal implications of marriage on women's rights are all historical examples of marriage serving multiple purposes beyond romantic love. Even in contemporary times, evolving social policies and shifting opportunities, particularly for women, indicate that marriage remains a vital, yet evolving, institution within societies.

The excerpts find a common theme in pointing out the societal and individual benefits and limitations of marriage, and how society's perception of it continually evolves with cultural norms and values. This is reflective in the changing roles of men and women within marriages and how marriages can adapt to new societal norms, like the example provided of Iceland where a significant number of children are born to committed but unmarried couples.

Answer 2

Marriage acts as a social institution shaping family structures, gender roles, and economic alliances, its roles and meanings adjusting to cultural norms and societal changes, while historically often being used to maintain social order and control within relationships and families.

Step-by-step explanation:

The central idea of these excerpts is that marriage functions both as a social institution and as a means of affirming gender roles, family structures, and economic alliances in various societies. It outlines how marriages have historically been arranged for reasons beyond love, such as to maintain social order, control resources, produce offspring, and create socioeconomic stability. The nature of marriage has evolved depending on cultural norms, social rules, and the changing roles and opportunities for men and women.

Historical perspectives on marriage indicate that it has been used to maintain property within a family or clan, to assert control over women, and to reinforce societal expectations of gender and status. Marriages were often arranged to ensure that the endogamy and exogamy rules were followed, with factors like dowries and social standing influencing one's prospects and control in marriage. Moreover, there's discussion of changes modern society experiences, noting how in some places, the traditional notion of marriage is shifting to accommodate different family structures and roles, particularly as women gain more autonomy and socioeconomic changes affect family dynamics.

The excerpts encompass a broad history and social context for how marriage has functioned and continues to function within human societies. It underlines the adaptability of marriage as an institution that shapes and is shaped by gender roles, legal norms, societal values, and changing economic realities.