NEWLY MARRIED COUPLES LIFE CYCLE

The Family Life Cycle Stage:

NEWLY MARRIED

SELF-VERIFICATION THEORY

Sexual Orientation and Negotiating Roles

EXCHANGE THEORY

SELF-ENHANCEMENT THEORY

• straight couples are aware of and must consider the traditional martial roles as default
• same sex couples have no default and fewer role models so they have a greater need to negotiate roles
• roles must be reciprocal; each individual's role must compliment the other

Theory that looks at how individuals make choices within roles by weighing costs and benefits

Theory that looks at individuals that are motivated to preserve self-views (beliefs and feelings including self-esteem and self- concepts)

• STAGE 1 OF MARRIAGE
• to detach emotionally from family of childhood
• Decide whether to expand the family (have children)
• idealizes partner
• focuses on exploration and sexual attraction
• Build new connections with extended family
• establish their own marital system

Theory that looks at individuals that are motivated to see information that enhances their perceptions of self worth

• Negotiate roles
• negotiate : a process of conferring with each other to reach an agreement
• results in power struggle if agreement cant be reached
• build a home together
• physical aspects such as moving in together, buying furniture, etc.
• emotional aspects such as establishing marital system

ROUTINE

FAMILY

RELATIONSHIPS

VALUES

& BELIEFS

SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

SYSTEM THEORY

COUPLES

BUZZER GAME!!

Theory that looks at how individuals behave based on their perceptions of themselves and the others

Theory that looks at how groups of individuals interact as a system, a set of different parts that work together and influence one another in a relatively stable way over time

"The strategies of daily living will be agreed upon by the spouses as reciprocal roles in which the behaviour of partners supports and balances the behaviour of each other."

Do these influences create conflict?

-The transition of one's role changing within the family can be a great weight for each partner. This stress may then create conflict.

ROLE WITHIN

THE FAMILY

EVENTS

- If the newly married couple's in laws don't support the marriage nor the choice of partner, The couple then undergoes many conflicts as they are unhappy with the marriage because their relationship with their parents is then effected

- Timing and scheduling is a conflict instigator as lack of time spent together creates great conflict as the couple isn't able to communicate properly and resort to be unhappy with the marriage they are in.

“A great marriage is not when the ‘perfect couple’ comes together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.”

- Dave Meurer

"In negotiating the details of their personal lives, couples are determining the strategies for divison of labour and decision making for their marital system."

Influential factor: Values

Do you think think these influences can potentially end a new marriage?

By: Ana, Meeky, Miri, Selena & Daniel

Financial Planning

Living Costs of Newly Weds

Living Conditions

(Married Couples vs. Single People)

Married couples tend to pay less towards basic living costs than a single person

• The living conditions of married couples compared to single people are different. Only 9.3% of the couples’ $14, 200 monthly gross income goes for rent, compared to 23% of the single person’s $7,500 monthly pay
• Couples also pay less for food (5.6% vs. 8.3% of what a single person pays), cable television (1% vs. 1.8%) and telephone bills (1.2% vs. 2.8%)

• Review insurance coverage
• Review for under-coverage, duplicate coverage, or lapses in coverage
• Combining households
• Make sure it has enough coverage to protect household goods such as computer equipment

• Review health insurance coverage
• Reviews plans to see if it makes more financial sense and benefits both spouses if they cancel one of the plans or keep both

• Calculate combined net worth
• Find out financial stance as a couple
• Bank, investment and credit card statements

• Develop a budget
• Calculate combined income as a couple and subtract combined monthly expenses and debt repayments

• Responsibilities
• Different financial tasks
• Identify each person’s strengths and assign who is in charge of what bills and financial tasks

Economic Benefits

• Married couples are placed in a lower risk class which helps them save money on car insurance.
• They also get some relief on both federal and Social Security Taxes
• Married couples pay a combined 29% of their salaries compared to the 35% that the single person pays

Iranian Culture

Hindu Culture

American Culture

North Korean Culture

Having Kids

• A home is the biggest investment that most people will ever make but raising children far exceeds the average home price

Short-Term Disability Insurance

• Adding a new member to the family can be very stressful but that stress can be reduced by minimizing the financial factor

• Covers pregnancy
• Typical policy will pay 60% - 70% of gross income for about six weeks following the birth of the child
• No disability insurance, employers may be required to grant time off work under the Family Medical Leave Act, but the company is not required to pay the person during that time
• Pregnancy must be treated as any other medical condition
• Depending on the policy, it will determine how much money will be paid from their own pockets after the pregnancy

Planning Ahead and Saving Up

• Planning ahead and saving up
• Check out day-care providers in advance of the birth of the child
• Start a baby fund for child care and supplies needed once the baby comes
• Put a certain amount into the account each pay period to cover expenses
• Buy the best but inexpensive equipment for the baby
• Looking for good quality and inexpensive equipment will help save money because babies will quickly outgrow many of the items