The Evolution of Marriage

The Evolution of Marriage

            In particular, marriage has undergone significant changes since the 1700s. The primary changes have been in four phases. In the period between the late 1700s and 1850, the main reasons for marriage included economics, politics, and pragmatism (Finkel, Hui, Carswell, & Larson, 2014). However, these reasons shifted to passion and affection in the period between 1850 and 1965 (Finkel et al., 2014). From 1965 to the present, the primary reasons for marriage entail self-expression and individual growth (Finkel et al., 2014). The move from the initial motives of marriage to the second is described as a change from institutional to a companion-based marital union (Finkel et al., 2014). In the same vein, the move from the second to the third reasons for marriage is said to be a change from companion-driven to an individualistic or self-expressive marital relationship (Finkel et al., 2014). This shift was catalyzed by a decrease in dependence on marriage for economic wellbeing.

2 (a). Categories of Marriage Needs

By equating today’s marriage to “Climbing Mount Maslow,” Finkel et al. (2014) imply that spouses are using unions to meet their individual needs. The varying classifications of needs, which people expect their marriage to satisfy, include physiological and safety, belonging and love, and esteem and self-actualization wants (Finkel et al., 2014). These wants are in tandem with Maslow’s order of human needs.

2(b). The distinction between Low and High Altitude Needs

Wants among spouses are further divided into low versus high altitude needs. The main distinction between the two is that low altitude needs are lower wants of life, such as physiological and safety needs. In contrast, high altitude needs are higher wants of life encompassing esteem and self-actualization. In the American context, economic growth and technological development have made it easy to meet low altitude necessities entailing physiological and safety wants (Finkel et al., 2014). However, meeting higher altitude requirements remains a challenge due to the immense resources required to fulfill them.

2(c). Difference between Suffocation Model and Freighted Marriage

The suffocation model is distinct from the dimension of freighted marriage in that it describes the condition whereby, while the demand or dependency on marriage to fulfill people’s higher altitude wants has heightened, the necessary resources have reduced. Americans have minimized their efforts in instilling time and psychological support, which are essential to meet the higher needs of spouses (Finkel et al., 2014). Therefore, marriage lacks the ingredients to fulfill the higher altitude wants of spouses. On the other hand, freighted marriage refers to the increasing demand for the marital union to fulfill persons’ higher altitude needs, as well as some of their middle altitude, wants (Finkel et al., 2014). Today’s marriage is increasingly essential than it was in satisfying people’s wants for companionship and emotional affinity, sexual affection, and satisfaction, social esteem, as well as individual growth, particularly as spouses have significantly detracted from their larger social networks (Finkel et al., 2014). Moreover, the increase in life expectancy means that spouses have to satisfy high altitude wants for their partners for a longer duration compared to the past.

2(d). Oxygen Deprivation

Notably, the authors use the term “oxygen deprivation” to imply that today’s marriages have been denied the resources required to sustain their functions. Individuals are increasingly looking at marriage to meet their needs, yet they invest little in terms of time, and emotional support necessary to meet higher altitude wants (Finkel et al., 2014). As such, marriage has insufficient resources to meet the needs of spouses.

2(d). Impact of Suffocation

Suffocation has had a significant effect on marriage in that it has led to the reduction of satisfaction and wellbeing among spouses. Finkel et al. (2014) opine that inadequate investment in marriage has undermined marital quality among spouses. However, partners who invest adequate resources experience strong marital quality, as well as personal wellness.

1. Options for “Re-oxygenation”

While today’s marriages face “suffocation,” various amendments can address the problem. Finkel et al. (2014) opine that spouses in “suffocating” marriages should optimize their usage of available resources, invest significant time and emotional means in their union, ask less of the marriage concerning the fulfillment of their high altitude needs.

1. Effect of the Article on Individual Perception

Reading the article has been insightful and made me think differently regarding my relationship. I have realized that I have to lower my expectations of marriage to meet my high altitude needs. Besides, I have recognized that it is essential to put in substantial time and emotional resources in my relationship to ensure that it has adequate “oxygen” to thrive.

Reference

Finkel, E. J., Hui, C. M., Carswell, K. L., & Larson, G. M. (2014). The suffocation of marriage: Climbing Mount Maslow without enough oxygen. Psychological Inquiry, 25, 1–41.