A-typical Marriages

Rhydian Talbot

Bride Kidnapping

Brides kidnapped, forced into marriage Grooms can be strangers or romantic partners Families oftentimes in cohorts

Bride Kidnapping: Concepts

Hard-to-get Phenomenon
o If harder to attract, the more attractive you become
Kidnapping requires effort; boosts social status

Theory of Motivated Information Management

o Fine feeling left in the dark about an issue, so dont seek more information
Preservation of hope

Sologamy

Self-marriage All ages, races, orientations, and marital statuses 4 key components: a. Become own lover/best friend/child b. Connect with and commit to deeper purpose c. Redefine sense of self FOR self d. Orient external relationships with new self

Sologamy: Concepts

Self-determination theory
o Motivated to seek competence and independence
Promise to depend on self rather than partner

Narcissism
o Grandiose sense of self; inflated, selfish self-image
Encouraged to put first above all others

Group Marriage

Minimum 3 adults all married to one another Benefits: o increased number of meaningful relationships o wider sexual variety o lesser chance of infidelity Detriments: o Unequal relationships o Decisions difficult w/more people

Group Marriage: Concepts

Interdependence theory
o Exchange of resources/time bonds partners
Share children, funds, sexual attention, and all else with one another equally

Psychological barriers
o Personal factors halting dissolution (investments, religious/moral beliefs, commitment)
Hard to separate whos what is whose; Oneida Commune religion

Mingshun

Ghost marriage Unite one or more souls in marriage after death Lineage very important

Grave robbing and black market for bodies

Mingshun: Concepts

Social role theory

o Division of labor gender roles
Men work, women work the home Female dying unmarried considered great shame

Negative moral appeals

o Suggesting bad/immoral people wouldnt respect request
Bride-initiated spirit marriage loophole

Mail-order Brides

Binders full of women Respected in Colonial era and Western expansion Now: corrupt marriage brokers and agencies Men seeking traditional woman

Mail-order Brides: Concepts

Investments
o Resources b/c of relationship that end after dissolution o Intrinsic (time, effort, affection) or extrinsic (possessions, status, identity)
Agreements w/Jamestown Brides

Interpersonal Deception
o Communicators alter/neglect info to distort truth Puffed-up online dating profiles, exploitation

Polyandry

One wife, many husbands Found commonly in fifty-three societies Driving forces: o The father effect o Unequal male-to-female ratio o Too many people, too little land Fraternal polyandry: brother-husbands

Polyandry: Concepts

Envy
o People want something valuable from another person or feel resentment because of it
Brother hierarchy: head brother to junior father

Routine maintenance behavior

o Daily, not strategic, task-sharing actions preserve bonds
Woman tends to the house, husbands help elsewhere

Temporary Marriage

Combines marriage and divorce contract into one agreement o Agree on length, benefits, stipulations Primary function: legitimize sexual exploits Popular in rigid Middle Eastern societies o Institutionalized prostitution o Islam bending its own rules

Temporary Marriage: Concepts

Independent-dependent tension
o Problem: solve problem independently or with help from others?
Trouble for females seeking travel, sexual exploits

Stigma
o Attribute others dont want, think poorly of those who do Females + too many temporary husbands = not good for permanent marriage