Deinstitutionlization Theory

Cherlin’s deinstitutionalization of marriage thesis argues that marriage is no longer on firm institutional ground. Cherlin asserts that the social norms governing marriage have weakened so that people no longer have a clear idea of how to and even whether to go about this enterprise called “marriage.”

Cherlin lists several factors that have contributed to the deinstutionalization of marriage:

1) The rise of unmarried childbearing

2) The changing division of labour in the home (less gender-defined)

3) The growth of unmarried cohabitation

4) The emergence of same-sex marriage

In this context, Cherlin says, people feel freer to marry later, to end unhappy marriages, and to forego marriage altogether. People may also actively question:

1) The link between marriage and parenting

2) The idea of complementary gender roles

3) The connection between marriage and heterosexuality

However, Cherlin and others observe that despite the weakening of norms around marriage, marriage carries a great deal of symbolic significance and may even hold more symbolic weight now than it did in the past. Cherlin asserts that marriage still implies message about one's status, values and achievement.

The marriage has experienced gradual transition into individualized marriage which focuses on individualistic perspective on the rewards of marriage. Partners now consider personal development and the ways in which they express feelings.

Some view the deinstutionalization of marriage as a sign of marital decline, arguing that changes in marriage and intimate behaviour are a significant cause for concern (marital decline perspective).

Others view the deinstutionalization of marriage as strengthening the quality of intimate relationships, including marriages (marital resilience perspective).