Link to a brief explination of courtship-

This is a short video that briefly touches on the differences between courtship and dating and how both relate to the modern world.

Four Types of Relationships!

Courtship-
Courtship is the duration of time that comes before engagement and marriage. It is when a couple familiarizes themselves with each other. It is usually is a public affair and friends and family are made aware of the courtship. In traditional society, it was done only the consent of the family of both partners. Modernly, it is seen as more casual. The slang word is "dating". "Dating" includes activities such as meals, movies, and picnics and also out-reached methods of communication such as calling on the phone, texting, picture messaging, and instant message. Courtship in a non casual way can be seen in the Japanese form of courting called Omiai. It is extremely structural and includes a limited time for courting before a decision about an engagement is made. Another aspect that may be included in courtship is the involvement of a matchmaker, hired by the parents. Courtship and dating are all together eliminated in situations involving arranged marriages.


Domestic Partnership-
Domestic Partnership is defined as,"a legal relationship between two individuals who live together but are not joined by marriage or civil union." This type of relationship was legalized in 1982 in a law suit. It is there to protect the rights of domestic partners. The difficult thing about domestic partnership laws is they are viewed differently from state to state. For example, in states such as Massachusetts, a domestic partnership is legal for a same-sex marriage. In states such as New York, however, it is not legal.

Bromance
A bromance is categorized as a "man-crush". It is defined as, " a close but non-sexual bond between two men. The term was first used by a man by the name of Dave Carnie. Carnie used the term in his skateboarding magazine, Big Brother, to describe the relationship between two men spending a lot of time together skating. Modernly, it can be seen describing any tight friendship between two men. Bromance can be seen in the early writings of Aristotle in his quote,"It is those who desire the good of their friends for the friends' sake that are most truly friends, because each loves the other for what he is, and not for any incidental quality".

Marriage-
Marriage is the most definite from of a relationship as it is legally binding. Marriage is defined as, "a social union or legal contract between individuals". It can also be called "matrimony". Marriage usually involves a wedding and the process of getting married includes a structure called wedlock. Practices and traditions in marriage vary greatly from different cultures and religions. Some similarities are it usually involves a legal obligation and people do it for social, emotional, religious, or spiritual reasons. Some marriages are arranged which means the spouse is previously chosen by the parents. Marriage is sometimes viewed as a contract and changes your social status legally. A divorce is needed to legally end a marriage.

Source:
http://www.bing.com/reference/semhtml/Domestic_partnership?qpvt=Domestic%20partnership
http://www.bing.com/reference/semhtml/Bromance
http://www.bing.com/reference/semhtml/Marriage?qpvt=marriage&sids=2&q=marriage

Biographies-

Harriet Martineu


Harriet Martineu was a feminist writer and philosopher who lived in England. Harriet grew up in a serious house and all of her family members were considered intellectually advanced. Although she was smart, she wasn't all that please with her life as she could not taste or smell and grew into blindness. Her father passed away in 1826 and Harriet decided to become an author.She was know for her controversial publishing's. Although she did not reside in America, she spent a great a lot of time there and became an advocate for the Abolition movement. Along with fighting for the movement, Harriet noted American culture. In,Comparison of European and American Marriages, Harriet states,"If there is any country on earth where the course of true love may be expected to run smooth, it is America." She also questions why freedom of love is not allowed and not seen as a good thing to all people and compares American marriage rituals to that of England. Harriet sides with the American views as she says that it is not the rules of Louisiana that are strange, but the ones in England. Harriet died due to a mortal womb tumor in 1876.

sources:
http://edocs.lib.sfu.ca/projects/VWWLP/Harriet-Martineau.htm
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/DETOC/FEM/marriage.htm

Online Data Base
bibliography-

Spurlock, John C. "Modern Love: Romance, Intimacy, and the Marriage Crisis." Journal of Social History. 1 2005. 287. eLibrary. ProQuest LLC. NORTHEAST MASS REGIONAL LIB SYS (PL). 02 Dec 2009. .


Matthews, Glenna. "Courtship." American Women's History: A Student Companion. n.p., Oxford University Press. 2000. n.pag. eLibrary. ProQuest LLC. NORTHEAST MASS REGIONAL LIB SYS (PL). 02 Dec 2009. .

Pinch, Adela. "Love Thinking." Victorian Studies. 01 Apr 2008. 379. eLibrary. ProQuest LLC. NORTHEAST MASS REGIONAL LIB SYS (PL). 02 Dec 2009. .

Marcus, Sharon. "BOOK REVIEW FORUM: RESPONSE." Victorian Studies. 01 Oct 2007. 87. eLibrary. ProQuest LLC. NORTHEAST MASS REGIONAL LIB SYS (PL). 02 Dec 2009. .

Bailey, Beth. "From "Bundling" to "Hooking Up": Teaching the History of American Courtship." Magazine of History. 4 2004. 3. eLibrary. ProQuest LLC. NORTHEAST MASS REGIONAL LIB SYS (PL). 02 Dec 2009. .

EBooks Bibliography

Grendler, Paul F. Renaissance:An Encyclopedia for Students. Vol. 3. New York: Charles

Scribner's Sons, 2004. Www.go.galegroup.com. 2006. Web. 1 Dec. 2009.