The Changing American Family

1. Most people choose mates who live in close geographic proximity. Why do people tend to choose mates who live in close geographic proximity?

Then, after reading Lindemann’s article “Commuter Spouses and the Changing American Family,” answer the following questions:

2. What are “commuter spouses”? How are commuter spouses different from other couples who live apart?

3. What are some of the social forces that have increased the population of commuter spouses in the U.S.?

4. How has the meaning of marriage changed in recent decades? What does the author mean when she says marriage has become more “individualized”?

Finally, take a broader look at marriage today:

5. What does the increase in commuter spouse relationships in the U.S. tell us about marriage in the U.S. today? What does it tell us about gender and gender roles in the U.S. today?