Page 392 - Sociology and You

362 Unit 4 Social Institutions
Sociology
Looking for
Mr. or Ms. Right
Doing Sociology
Today
This activity will give you some ideas for eval- uating whether a current boyfriend or girlfriend
is a good candidate for a successful long-term relationship.
From the list on the right, (and on a separate sheet of paper), list the ten most important qual- ities to you. (Number 1 as the most important, number 2 the next most important, and so forth.) Then fold your paper in half. In the right-hand column, either have your partner fill out the questionnaire or rank the characteristics yourself according to how you think your part- ner would.
Evaluating Your Responses. Which of the items listed on the right do you think are the most important in predicting marital suc- cess? According to research, the last seven items (17–23) are the most important. High compatibility between you and your partner on these seven characteristics would proba- bly increase your chances of marital success. A low degree of matching does not, of course, ensure an unhappy marriage or a divorce, but it does suggest areas that may cause problems in the future.
Adapted from the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University.
Do you think that the qualities listed in the questionnaire are relevant to you in choosing a wife or a husband? Why or why not? Are there characteristics more important to you and your friends? Explain.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
is honest and truthful.
is fun to be with.
is of the same educational background.
will take care of me.
wants to have children.
communicates well with me.
will share household jobs and tasks.
is a good friend with whom I can talk.
is of the same religious background.
makes decisions.
earns good money.
is physically attractive.
is in love with me and I with him/her.
encourages me to be my own person.
has interests like mine in making money and having fun.
makes me feel important.
is faithful.
shares mutual interests in home, children, romantic love, and religion. has had a happy childhood with happily married parents.
is emotionally mature.
is prepared to support a family.
is interested in waiting to marry until age twenty-two or older.
wants a six-month to two-year engagement period.
10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23.
I am looking for a partner who . . .
Partner Self
F