Introduction
Families currently are unstable from the earlier families, where only death was determining factor for separation. Before marrying, the subjects’ interests are key in determining if the two will live together. No one wants to bear the burden of the relationship alone, and therefore, if the relationship does not support specific interest, majority will opt to quit. Becker, Landes and Michael about economic analysis of marital instability and Sabatelli and Shehan’s exchange and resource theory, reveal families are not stable because of determinants of today’s relationship.
Differences
Marital instability, which leads to divorce, is a reality in today’s society because few marriages last until when death splits the partners. This is as per Becker et al. (2007)’s approach, as they say probability of separating after a few years into marriage is high. High rate of marriage annulment has resulted to family behavioral implications, such as couples being reluctant to invest in commodities or skills specific to their union (Becker et al., 1977). The decline in fertility rates and the rise in marital instability have occurred due to various issues, including women empowerment (Agnew & Le, 2003). The author reveals that divorce is more elevated in African-Americans, the poor, the mentally disabled, and even those married while still young. Becker et al. (1971) argue the push to marriage directly relates to the utility expected. For example, if the value needed from a marriage exceeds that expected when one is single, people find it worth to unit to make a family and vice vasa (Srevenson & Wolfers, 2007). The choice to marry and remain married, or later proceed to be single lies in the convenience rate.
Social relationships are considered in the context of extended market. This is Sabatelli and Shehan’s (1993) strategy as they claim in a partnership today, each acts while paying attention to personal interests. The ultimate push dwells in the goal of each individual to make profits. The authors claim everyone will stay in their relationship as long as they are satisfied in terms of costs and rewards.
Human beings tend to collaborate for marriage, if they realize the other partner is more valuable to equate or surpass the cost rendered to them. The relationship remains intact also if the other person views benefits in the context of behavior to be more valuable than the cost incurred (Sabatelli & Shehan, 1993). These author refer to the economic theory, as stated by Stevenson & Wolfers (2007), where family is developed through the formation of household, instead of the legal marriage theory. Such formation proves there is increase in divorce in the U.S, as measured through yearly increment on per capita basis (Sabatelli & Shehan, 1993). People want to get value in a relationship, at a low rate. When a person is treasured, they easily get those individuals who will spend on them, and therefore worth and cost determine a relationship.
Comparison
The two sources speak about the same topic, which involves relationship. Becker et al. (1971) show nowadays divorce rate is high than it used to be several years ago. According to the writers, the issue happens because couples are marrying early, and issues such as participating in women labor force empower them to be independent. Sabatelli & Shehan (1993) also talk about cost determinants in a relationship. It means people weigh whether the people with which they engage in a relationship add value and whether agreement will be less costly. Therefore, the decision to maintain a relationship is based on the value and expense. The two sources are similar thematically, considering that they approach the aspect of relationship approximately in the same manner.
Conclusion
In conclusion, families today are not stable as per the sources under review to several years ago. There are issues such as the utility index, where if staying in a marriage is better than being single, a couple can decide to remain married. However, if the weight of being single is better than being in a marriage, some would opt to divorce. Issues such as a person’s value and the cost of being in a relationship with another person determine how people will maintain or dissolve a family.
References
Agnew, C. R., & Le, B. (2003). Commitment and its theorized determinants: A meta-analysis of the Investment Model.A Wiley Journal, 10(1), 37-57. Web.
Becker, G. S., Landes, M., & Michael, T. R. (1977). An economic analysis of marital instability.Journal of Political Economy, 85(6), 1141- 1187. Web.
Kincade, V. (1997). Women’s employment and the gain to marriage: The specialization and trading model annual.Review of Sociology, 23(1), 431-453. Web.
Sabatelli, M. R., & Shehan, L.C. (1993). Exchange and resource theories – Chapter. Boss, P.G., LaRossa, R., Schumm, W. R., & Steinmetz, IL (Ed.), Sourcebook of Family Theories and Methods (2nd Ed.). Plenum Press.
Srevenson, B., & Wolfers, J. (2007). Marriage and divorce: Changes and their driving forces.Journal of Economic Perspectives, 21(2), 27-52. Web.