Mate selection, dating, and marriage are important events in life that should be approached with much care. Single people should choose their potential mates basing on traits such as common interests and attraction. This paper reflects on the life of two couples and illustrates how the research on mate selection, dating, and marriage aligns and misaligns with the selected couple. The paper also reflects on the given couples with respect to sociological research.
Prince William and Kate Middleton
Prince William and Kate Middleton have three children and were married in 2011 after dating for some time. They met while studying at St. Andrews University and Prince William first showed his interests in Cate on a fashion show where Cate was one of the participants. They shared a set of interests as they both liked fashion and skiing. They split up in 2007 but got back together later that year since they could not stand being apart. In regard to the research on mate selection, dating, and marriage, the couples align with the findings in several ways. In the first place, propinquity plays a major role in uniting the couple as they were studying at the same university (Ron & Cheney, 2009). The common geographical location made it possible for the couple to meet and interact severally. Moreover, cohabiting once resulted to separation of the couple before they got married as indicated by the research which points out that the possibility of breakup is higher in cohabiting couples compared to married couples. However, the couple misaligns with the research in the sense that once breakups happen, the couples should avoid hanging out together. This is contrary to the research since the couple came back together after the break up later the same year.
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Jay Z and Beyoncé
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles popularly known by her stage name as Beyoncé and Shawn Corey Carter popularly known by his stage name as Jay Z are celebrity couples in the U.S. They started as friends and later became a couple and later married each other in 2008 and are currently having three children. Their common interest in music and fashion acted as a uniting factor (Belot & Francesconi, 2013). In regard to the research on mate selection, marriage, and dating, the couple aligns with the findings as homogamy is widely displayed. Both Jay Z and Beyoncé shared common interest in music and fashion hence enhancing their relationship goals. Moreover, their compatibility favored their relationship as they shared common ethnic and racial traits. However, the couple misaligns with the research basing on propinquity. This is evident as Jay Z and Beyoncé once communicated on phone without meeting for almost a year but still got married later.
With respect to sociological research, marriage is often based on romantic relationships and is considered a permanent, legal, and social contract between the spouses. Just like the given illustrations, social scientists agree that marriage begins with a period of courtship that leads to marriage invitation (Ron & Cheney, 2009). Sociological research emphasizes on the marriage as a foundation for family and married couples are expected to have their own children.
Conclusion
Marriage, mate selection, and dating rely on factors such as common interests and common geographic location. The traits play a big role in enhancing the relationships by acting as foundations for the entire relationship.
References
Belot, M., & Francesconi, M. (2013). Dating Preferences and Meeting Opportunities in Mate Choice Decisions. Journal of Human Resources , 48 (2), 474–508. https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.48.2.474
Ron, J. & Cheney, P., (2009). “Marriage and Other Long-Term Relationships” from Sociology of the Family.
