Deck 9: Singlehood, Cohabitation, Civil Unions, and Other Options

Question 1

Which of the following is a myth about being single?

A) Singles are typically selfish and self-centered people.
B) Singles don't worry about being ridiculed by society.
C) Singles are usually poor and financially deprived.
D) Singles are ready to marry anyone with money.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

________ singles are primarily older, divorced, widowed, and never-married people who would like to marry or remarry but haven't found a suitable mate and now accept their single status as permanent.This group also includes singles who suffer from some physical or psychological impairment that limits their success in the marriage market.

A) Involuntary stable
B) Involuntary temporary
C) Voluntary temporary
D) Voluntary stable

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which of the following is true of the difference between men and women with regard to postponing marriage?

A) Men's median age at first marriage is more than that of women.
B) Women's median age at first marriage since 1960 has decreased when compared to men.
C) More men than women choose to live alone.
D) From a historical perspective, the present tendency to delay marriage has been the norm for women when compared to men.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Voluntary stable singles differ from voluntary temporary singles in that voluntary stable singles ________.

A) would like to marry and are actively seeking a mate
B) are open to marriage but place a lower priority on searching for mates
C) consist of men and women who live with each other but aren't married
D) consist of single parents-both never married and divorced-who are not seeking mates

Question 5

In certain countries, several families below the poverty line kill female babies as soon as they are born.They fear that they will not be able to afford the "dowry" required to pay for their marriages and have an inherent preference for sons.This practice is referred to as ________.

A) consensual homicide
B) matricide
C) the marriage squeeze
D) female infanticide

Question 6

Discuss two benefits of cohabitation.

Question 7

Which of the following is the primary reason for many American singles to consider marriage?

A) societal pressure
B) education
C) dowry
D) financial stability

Question 8

James, a divorcee, is actively seeking a mate.However, despite dating for three years, he was unable to find a suitable mate.Due to his failure, he decided to give up dating and remain single permanently.In this scenario, James is considered to be a(n)________.

A) involuntary stable single
B) involuntary temporary single
C) voluntary temporary single
D) voluntary stable single

Question 9

Which of the following is a primary reason why many American women are increasingly choosing to live alone?

A) the decline in education among men
B) the decline in education among women
C) the postponement of marriage
D) the failure of the feminist movement in America

Question 10

Which of the following is a micro reason why singles are delaying marriage?

A) prospect of losing independence
B) financial commitments
C) technological advancements
D) outbreak of war

Question 11

Which of the following is a benefit of remaining single in later life?

A) People do not have to save extra money for retirement.
B) Older singles do not have to worry about sex.
C) People do not have to worry about widowhood or divorce.
D) Older singles are not expected to socialize.

Question 12

________ are open to marriage but place a lower priority on searching for mates than on other activities, such as education, career, an active social life, and self-development.

A) Voluntary stable singles
B) Involuntary temporary singles
C) Voluntary temporary singles
D) Involuntary stable singles

Question 13

Which of the following is true of "mate selection" with aging men and women?

A) Ageing women are considered "distinguished."
B) Ageing men are considered "distinguished."
C) Ageing men are considered "over the hill."
D) Ageing women are considered "extremely suitable."

Question 14

Marie, a 30-year-old widow, decided that she would remarry if she found her "soul mate." Despite dating several men, she was unable to find a suitable mate.In this scenario, Marie is considered to be a(n)________.

A) involuntary stable single
B) involuntary temporary single
C) voluntary temporary single
D) voluntary stable single

Question 15

________ refer to singles that would like to marry and are actively seeking a mate.This group includes people who are widowed or divorced and single parents who would like to get married.

A) Involuntary established singles
B) Voluntary stable singles
C) Involuntary temporary singles
D) Voluntary temporary singles

Question 16

Amanda and Maria, a same-sex couple, obtained a legalized form of partnership that is similar to marriage.This partnership provides almost all or most of the legal rights enjoyed by married heterosexual couples, including tax breaks, health benefits, approval of organ donations, and inheritance without a will.Which of the following type of partnership has Amanda and Maria obtained?

A) common-law marriage
B) prenuptial agreement
C) cohabitation
D) civil union

Question 17

Of all those living alone, the vast majority are ________.

A) male students
B) female students
C) older men
D) older women

Question 18

Julia, a mother of two, decided that she would not remarry due to a loss of faith in men.However, she was not averse to having short-term relationships.In this scenario, Julia is considered to be a(n)________.

A) involuntary temporary single
B) voluntary stable single
C) involuntary temporary single
D) involuntary stable single

Question 19

________ have never married and are satisfied with that choice; are divorced or widowed but don't want to remarry; are living with someone but don't intend to marry; and whose religion forbids marriage, such as priests and nuns.

A) Voluntary temporary singles
B) Involuntary stable singles
C) Involuntary temporary singles
D) Voluntary stable singles

Question 20

Which of the following is a structural factor that is affecting marriage rates among Latinos?

A) On average, the Latino population is much younger than the non-Latino population and hasn't yet reached marriageable age.
B) Emphasis on familism has increased marriage rates and decreased divorce rates among the Latino population.
C) Latinos are increasingly opting to marry outside their own racial circles.
D) Increasing assimilation of American values is increasing marriage rates among Latinos.

Question 21

Which of the following is true of Japanese Americans?

A) They strictly do not date outside their own racial circle.
B) They are facing an intense marriage squeeze.
C) They have high intermarriage rates.
D) They are less prone to acculturation.

Question 22

Which of the following is typically a reason why many women in their middle and later years experience a marriage squeeze?

A) They are only interested in men who already married.
B) They are looking for much younger men to marry.
C) Men their age are looking for much younger women.
D) Men in their middle years typically prefer to remain single.

Question 23

Which of the following is true of "singleton" households?

A) They are clustered around urban areas.
B) They receive extensive financial assistance from their families.
C) They refer to the clustering of single moms in rural western states.
D) They contain at least three single roommates.

Question 24

Fathers-to-be who provide the mothers with emotional support and participate in doctors' visits are said to have greater ________ capital.

A) moral
B) pecuniary
C) financial
D) social

Question 25

Which of the following is a macro-level factor that affects our decision to marry?

A) technological advances in contraceptive techniques
B) desire to be independent
C) physical or mental disability
D) waiting for a soul mate

Question 26

Which of the following is true of the differences between Latinos and their African American counterparts?

A) Latinos are more likely to be never married than their African American counterparts.
B) Latinos have lower marriage rates than their African American counterparts.
C) Latino women are generally less likely than African American women to experience a shortage of marriageable partners.
D) The Latino population is on average a much older population compared to their African American counterparts.

Question 27

Sandra, a 20-year-old student, found out that she was pregnant.Due to religious beliefs, her parents discouraged her from obtaining an abortion and forced her to get married.Such a marriage is referred to as a(n)________.

A) "urban" wedding
B) servile marriage
C) shotgun marriage
D) cohabitation marriage

Question 28

Which of the following is the reason why never-married single mothers are likely to remain single?

A) the prospect of losing their independence
B) inability to find a suitable husband
C) financial insecurity
D) inability to commit to the future

Question 29

During a debate about marriages, Jim is of the opinion that there is a direct correlation between a woman's salary and her willingness to get married.However, Carlos disagrees and states that there is no direct relationship between salary and marriage.Which of the following is an accurate statement that strengthens Jim's argument?

A) Women with high salaries and education levels are often unwilling to settle down with men who earn less than they do.
B) Due to the rise of feminism, most women in America are opposed to marrying men who earn more money than them.
C) Employment decreases a woman's chances of meeting eligible men and may reduce her attractiveness to potential suitors.
D) Studies have shown that due to "glass ceiling" effect, many women are increasingly wary of marrying men in higher positions.

Question 30

________ generally limits the pool of eligible mates across social classes, regardless of race.

A) Heterogamy
B) Exogamy
C) Homogamy
D) Polygamy

Question 31

Among all racial groups in America, the vast majority of people living alone are ________.

A) white
B) African American
C) Latino
D) Asian American

Question 32

Which of the following is true of second-generation Asian Americans?

A) Chinese Americans are more likely to marry outside their racial communities.
B) American born Koreans have a lower divorce rate than their immigrant counterparts.
C) Japanese Americans are less likely to face a marriage squeeze.
D) Chinese Americans have the highest divorce rates in the general population.

Question 33

Which of the following is a macro-level factor that delays marriage?

A) wanting to be independent
B) societally prescribed gender roles
C) waiting for the "perfect mate"
D) not wanting to make a commitment

Question 34

The ________, expressed as a whole number, is the proportion of men to women in a country or group.

A) sex ratio
B) marriage quotient
C) demographic slide
D) marriage opportunity index

Question 35

Which of the following is true of the differences between Asian Americans and their Latino counterparts?

A) Asian Americans have lower singlehood rates than their Latino counterparts.
B) Asian Americans have lower marriage rates than their Latino counterparts.
C) A higher percentage of Asian Americans are divorced than their Latino counterparts.
D) A higher percentage of Asian Americans are never married as compared to their Latino counterparts.

Question 36

During a debate about divorce rates, Charlie states that divorce rates are extremely high among Latin Americans.However, Simone argues otherwise and states that divorce rates are lower among most Latin communities.Which of the following is an accurate statement that strengthens Simone's argument?

A) The concept of "familism" ensures that most people do not consider divorce as an option even under extreme circumstances.
B) The assimilation of American behaviors has contributed to rising marriage rates and falling divorce rates.
C) The Latino population is on average a younger population compared to non-Latino populations.
D) Since most Hispanic workers are undocumented, most people cannot apply for legal divorces, and hence "breakups" remain under the radar.

Question 37

During a debate about marriages, Marie is of the opinion that African American women are less likely to marry than their Asian counterparts.However, Joanne disagrees and argues that Asian women have equally poor marriage rates.Which of the following is an accurate statement that strengthens Marie's argument?

A) Unlike their Asian counterparts, many African American women are increasingly opting to cohabit with men from other races rather than marry men from their own societies.
B) The marriage squeeze among Asian communities is leading to several intermarriages, which has led to disproportionate marriage rates.
C) National data from the FBI show disproportionately large numbers of urban black men in their 20s and early 30s are in prison or jail or are victims of homicide.
D) Unlike Asian American women, whose familial ties encourage them to marry first and second cousins, African American women are generally averse to marrying within their social circles.

Question 38

During a debate about marriage, Bryan is of the opinion that African American women are less likely to marry than their white counterparts.However, Peter argues otherwise and states that marriage rates among African Americans are high.Which of the following is an accurate statement that strengthens Bryan's argument?

A) A large percentage of African American women feel that there is a shortage of marriageable African American men.
B) Studies have shown that African American men are increasingly marrying outside their communities.
C) More African American women are choosing to cohabitate when compared to their white counterparts.
D) Unlike their Asian and Latin counterparts, the concept of family is relatively more important in African American society.

Question 39

The ________ refers to a sex imbalance in the ratio of available unmarried women and men.

A) marriage opportunity index
B) marriage squeeze
C) sex ratio
D) selection disposition

Question 40

A common reason for getting married is companionship.How has the need for companionship decreased as a reason for marriage, especially in cities?

A) the rise of cohabitation and the acceptance of parenthood outside marriage
B) the growing economic instability
C) the reliance on peers and urban clusters for company and support
D) the thinning out of the marriage market

Question 41

Steve has lived with four different women over a period of two years.However, while he was dating these women, he was unable to make a commitment to any of them, and all of them moved out of his house.This situation is an example of ________.

A) accommodation
B) serial cohabitation
C) dating cohabitation
D) trial marriage cohabitation

Question 42

Which of the following is true of the relationship between cohabitation and marriage?

A) Cohabitation is often used as a prelude to marriage.
B) Cohabitation always leads to stronger marriages.
C) Cohabitation is replacing marriage as the dominant form of relationship between couples.
D) Cohabitation has decreased the median first marriage age of men.

Question 43

Children growing up with cohabitating couples differ from children growing up with married couples in that children growing up with cohabitating couples are ________.

A) less likely to have academic, emotional, and behavioral problems
B) less likely to experience a parent breakup
C) more likely to experience domestic violence
D) more likely to be living in a rich household

Question 44

Martin and Christine, a cohabiting couple, have a three-year-old son.Which of the following must the couple do in order to protect the child's future inheritance?

A) obtain a shared lease agreement
B) create a prenuptial agreement
C) acknowledge biological parenthood in writing
D) open a joint bank account

Question 45

During a debate about cohabitation, Corey states that cohabitation is likely to affect children adversely.However, Karl states that cohabitation has certain positive effects on children.Which of the following is an accurate statement that strengthens Karl's argument?

A) Laws in the United States clearly specify a cohabitant's responsibilities and rights where it concerns children.
B) Even at lower economic levels, children are likely to benefit from having two parents rather than living with single mothers.
C) Compared with married couples, cohabitants-both in the United States and Europe-have a better quality of relationship.
D) Cohabitation is higher among heterosexuals than homosexuals.

Question 46

In which type of cohabitation do partners live together to see what marriage might be like?

A) premarital cohabitation
B) substitute marriage cohabitation
C) dating cohabitation
D) trial marriage cohabitation

Question 47

________ refers to a living arrangement in which two unrelated people, who aren't married, live together and are in a sexual relationship.

A) Prenuptial agreement
B) Civil union
C) Hooking up
D) Cohabitation

Question 48

Ronald and William wish to get married; however, they are unsure about what exactly married life entails.In order to obtain from first-hand experience, they decide to move in and live together for a period of six months.This scenario illustrates a ________.

A) substitute marriage
B) trail marriage
C) common-law marriage
D) dating cohabitation

Question 49

Same-sex couples have gained greater acceptance in six states with marriage alternatives such as ________.

A) voidable marriages
B) civil unions
C) unregistered unions
D) common-law marriages

Question 50

Shaun and Stacey, a couple, live together but are unmarried.They do not believe that a legal ceremony is relevant to their commitment to each other and view their nonmarital cohabitation as equivalent to a common-law marriage.This scenario is an example of a ________.

A) dating cohabitation
B) premarital cohabitation
C) substitute marriage
D) trail marriage

Question 51

Mark and Lily, an unmarried couple, live with Lily's son from a previous relationship.Mark possesses a large life insurance policy under his own name.Which of the following is likely to happen if Mark dies unexpectedly, without leaving a will?

A) Lily and her son can claim the insurance money stating their cohabitation relationship.
B) Lily can claim the insurance money only if she has lived with Mark for more than 2 years.
C) Lily cannot claim the insurance money as they are not legally married.
D) Lily cannot claim the money since her relationship is only considered a common-law marriage.

Question 52

In which type of cohabitation do two people make a long-term commitment but do not get legally married?

A) accommodation
B) substitute marriage cohabitation
C) dating cohabitation
D) trial marriage cohabitation

Question 53

Harry, a serial dater, has lived with several women over the past few years.He believes that all relationships are temporary and views living together as an alternative to marriage.Harry is also extremely independent and is unable to sacrifice for the common good of a relationship.This scenario illustrates the ________.

A) cohabitation effect
B) selection effect
C) inertia effect
D) dissolution effect

Question 54

Which of the following is true of same-sex marriages in America?

A) A majority of Americans support same-sex marriage.
B) 40 states have legalized same-sex marriages.
C) Same-sex marriage rates are highest among black communities.
D) The breakup rates among same-sex couples is lower than different-sex couples.

Question 55

How do Asian women differ from their Latina counterparts?

A) Asian women have lower cohabitation rates than Latinas.
B) Foreign-born Asian women have higher cohabitation rates than U.S.-born Latinas.
C) Higher percentage of Asian American women are single than their Latina counterparts.
D) Lesser percentage of Asian American women are married than their Latina counterparts.

Question 56

Jesse and Alicia just moved in together after dating rather seriously for two years.They are seriously considering getting married but want to live together before making a final commitment.Their living
Arrangement would be called ________.

A) premarital cohabitation
B) determinant cohabitation
C) dating cohabitation
D) accommodation

Question 57

A ________ is a long-term commitment between two people who don't plan to marry.

A) trial marriage
B) marital cohabitation
C) substitute marriage
D) dating cohabitation

Question 58

Matt and LeeAnn are uncertain about their relationship and want to see what marriage might be like although they don't necessarily believe they will end up married to each other.Their situation illustrates ________.

A) accommodation
B) substitute marriage cohabitation
C) dating cohabitation
D) trial marriage cohabitation

Question 59

Which of the following is true of most cohabitation relationships?

A) They are mostly seen among people with higher levels of education.
B) They are considered taboo in America.
C) They are usually short lived.
D) They are predominantly seen among white communities.

Question 60

Ken and Carla, an unmarried couple, have been living together for the past three years.They have made numerous decisions together such as splitting their finances, getting a dog, and buying furniture.Eventually, without making a conscious decision or commitment, the couple slide into marriage.In this scenario, the couple experiences the ________.

A) cohabitation effect
B) separation effect
C) friction effect
D) inertia effect

Question 61

Briefly explain two reasons why Americans choose to live alone.

Question 62

Briefly explain a macro-level factor that affects decisions about matrimony.

Question 63

Briefly describe involuntary stable singles.

Question 64

Hunt and Mary decided to buy a house together.However, they are against the concept of marriage and believe that a legal ceremony does not contribute to a relationship.Identify and explain the type of cohabitation arrangement seen in this scenario.

Question 65

Timothy, a social researcher, is of the opinion that cultural values tend to reduce the number of singles living in a society.Provide an explanation which supports Timothy's view.

Question 66

Talia, an educated African American woman, feels that most of the African American men in her society are not marriage material.She is forced to look at alternative options, which are outside her racial circle.Identify and explain the problem faced by Talia.

Question 67

Briefly explain why singles are postponing marriage.

Question 68

Explain two areas of conflict that gay and lesbian couples face.

Question 69

Mike, a social scientist, is of the opinion that marriage rates are declining in the African American community as women are becoming increasingly picky about their prospective husbands.Provide an explanation which will strengthen Mike's argument.

Question 70

Jose, a student, has lived with several women over a period of time.However, he does not have any interest in long-term commitment and prefers to date.Identify and explain the kind of cohabitation experience Jose exemplifies.