An intimate relationship is a characterized by two individuals sharing their innermost feelings. Social exchange theorists view the stages of development in a relationships as reflecting the unfolding of social exchanges - this involves the costs and rewards of sustaining the relationship. Throughout each stage, favorable factors lead partners towards …show more content…
Over the years, the reasons for marriage have definitely changed. Historically, marriage was used as a way to help individuals adjust to personal and social needs as well as provide a structured home life and financial support for children. In current day America, the traditional ideal notion of marriage is a union based on love and mutual attractions that brings two people together to have offspring and form a nuclear family (“The diversity of marriage and culture,” 2012). Therefore, it is based on meeting the love and family needs of individuals. Americans tend to marry people that they find appealing; they are usually similar in terms of physical attractiveness and hold almost identical beliefs on crucial topics (Nevid & Rathus, …show more content…
(2014, September 4). Family diversity is the new normal for America’s children.
Retrieved December 11, 2016, from Council on Contemporary Families, https://contemporaryfamilies.org/the-new-normal/
Lamattina, M. (2009). Family Diversity: Today’s Family: Diversity in the New Millennium.
Retrieved December 11, 2016, from NPA 411, http://www.nap411.com/family/family-diversity/family-diversity
Nevid, J. S., & Rathus, S. A. (2013). Psychology and the Challenges of Life: Adjustment and
Growth (12th ed.). Hoboken, NJ, United States: John Wiley & Sons.
The Diversity of Marriage and Culture. (2012, October 14). Retrieved December 11, 2016, from
Hub Pages, http://hubpages.com/education/The-Diversity-Of-Marriage-Culture
Wang, W. (2015, June 12). Interracial marriage: Who is “marrying out”? Retrieved December 11,
2016, from Pew Research Center,